Also: Barefoot Bandit/Idiot Wants Lessons, XPrize, Air Tractor SAIB, Gulfstream Home, Hornets/Growlers, NTPS Board, Boeing Downsizing

The U.S. Air Force is getting a step closer to replacing its aging T-38 trainers as Boeing, along with their partner Saab, completed the first flight of their all-new T-X aircraft earlier this week.

The T-X is in competition with other companies to be chosen as the next generation of high performance Air Force jet trainers. During the 55-minute flight, lead T-X Test Pilot Steven Schmidt and Chief Pilot for Air Force Programs, Dan Draeger, validated key aspects of the single-engine jet. Boeing and Saab revealed their first two T-X aircraft in September. The second aircraft is currently in ground testing and expected to fly in early 2017. The FAA is reporting that since they released rules for commercial drone operators on August 31, more than 28,000 people have applied to become professional UAV pilots, and nearly 23,000 remote pilot airmen certificates have been issued. When you do the math, it means about 300 people have been issued a remote pilot certificate each weekday since the rules were announced. Changes are occurring at Diamond Aircraft as the Canadian company, Wanfeng Aviation, has completed an investment to acquire a 60% interest in Diamond Aircraft Industries, and will be operating as Diamond Canada. Diamond says the investment will support expanded production, sales and service activities globally, with a strengthened focus on the US market. The Austrian based Diamond Aircraft Industries remains completely independent and will assist production and development activities in the Canadian company. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!

Airborne 12.22.16 is chock full of info in this Daily News Episode, Thursday, December 22nd, 2016... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Hosts Brianne Cross and Christopher Odom, and supported by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, and Aero-Journalists Tom Patton, and Earl Downs, this episode covers:

• Boeing T-X First Flight
• FAA Has Issued Nearly 23,000 Commercial Drone Certificates
• Majority Stake In Diamond Aircraft Industries Purchased By Wanfeng Aviation
• Give Him Credit For Chutzpah ... Barefoot Bandit Wants Flying Lessons
• Aero-Community Update: XPrize
• Gulfstream GII Fuselage To Become A Man Cave
• FAA Issues SAIB For Rudder Systems On Certain Air Tractor Models
• Hornets, Growlers Grounded Following Whidbey Island Incident
• Navy Test Pilot School Selection Board To Convene February 15
• Boeing Eyes Further Downsizing Going Into 2017

Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again next week for the next edition of "Airborne Unlimited" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, tomorrow!

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