Also: Alternative Jet Fuels, A319neo With CFM LEAP-1A, Laser Strike, Pilot Sign-On Bonus

The details of the alleged drone incursions on or near the UK’s Gatwick airport get stranger by the day...

The runway at London's Gatwick airport was closed barely a week before Christmas for what was termed “a deliberate disruption of air travel using drones.” Despite numerous reports, and no small amount of hysteria from local and national officials as well as the media, and innumerable instant drone experts, little evidence of actual drones exist... outside of some often questionable eyewitness testimony. Tens of thousands of people were inconvenienced by canceled flights, resulting in millions of dollars of losses... and some awfully nasty drone stories. The U.S. Navy has sent a document to Congress expressing concerns about the Blue Angels' schedule should there be another round of sequestration in the 2020 budget. Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said that a "mechanical sequestration" of the U.S. Defense Budget could lead to the cancellation of 21 appearances by the Navy's precision demonstration team, based on the 2019 schedule. All of the services have been told to craft budgets that take the possibility of sequestration in 2020 into account, as well as the normal budget for that year. The Navy would not comment specifically on what might be cut in such a sequestration budget. Sikorsky and Boeing have provided the first look at the SB>1 DEFIANT helicopter the companies have developed for the U.S. Army's Joint Multi-Role technology demonstrator program. The SB>1 DEFIANT is designed to fly at twice the speed and range of today's conventional helicopters and offers advanced agility and maneuverability. Data from SB>1 DEFIANT will help the Army develop requirements for new utility helicopters expected to enter service in the early 2030s. Developed with 85 percent commonality between attack and assault aircraft, the SB>1 DEFIANT will reduce development and life-cycle costs and ensure minimal disruption or loss of existing rotorcraft expertise. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!

Airborne 12.28.18 is chock full of info in this Daily News Episode, Friday, December 28th 2018... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Hosts Skylar Vanel, Laura Hutson, Brianne Cross, and Christopher Odom, and is supported by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, and Aero-Journalist Tom Patton, this episode covers:

• Gatwick Drone Paranoia Affects Thousands
• Blue Angels' 2020 Season Could Fall Victim To Budget Cuts
• Sikorsky, Boeing Provide First Look At SB>1 DEFIANT
• Civic, Aviation Leaders To Showcase Viability Of Alternative Jet Fuels 
• FAA, EASA Certify A319neo With CFM LEAP-1A Engines 
• Medical Helicopter Pilot Suffers Eye Injury From Laser Strike 
• CommutAir Increases Pilot Sign-On Bonus 

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