Also: Hartzell Beech 1900 Props, Rafale Ejection, Kissimmee Gateway Airport, FlightSafety

Tragedy has struck the warbird community as the last remaining Northrop N-9M, restored and flown by the Planes of Fame Museum, was lost in an accident in Norco, CA.

The aircraft appears to have impacted, after witness reports of some kind of power outage, in a nearby prison yard, where the debris and fire damage seems to have all but consumed the aircraft. The pilot did not not survive. The single seat, twin-engine, Northrop N-9M was built as something of a development platform for Northrop's flying wing ambitions... The aircraft was used to research and define the aerodynamics for what would come later -- the Northrop XB-35 and YB-35 flying wing long-range, heavy bombers, which boasted massive 172' wingspans. The N-9M was first flown in 1942. Becoming a professional pilot has always been costly. But... Alaska-based carrier Ravn Air and the University of Alaska, Anchorage have developed a new program that trains pilots for First Officer positions and paying them while they learn to fly. The paid internship program at UAA is the first of its kind in the nation. It allows pilot candidates to complete their degree and be paid as a regional airline pilot. A new DoD study highlighted the critical nature of the pilot shortage faced by the Air Force. And while the service and the Pentagon are attacking the problem from all angles, digging out of the current hole will be a long and expensive process. Current requirements in the Air Force call for 800 active duty and 1,150 reserve pilots. But the Rand Corporation estimates that the active duty pilot roster will face a shortfall of 1,607 pilots by 2023. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!

Airborne 04.24.19 is chock full of info in this Daily News Episode, Wednesday, April 24th, 2019... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Hosts Sophie Hurlock, 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:

• Restored Northrop N-9M Reported Down, Destroyed, in CA Accident
• Ravn Air, UAA Announce Paid Internship Program For Alaskan Pilots
• Study Highlights Critical USAF Pilot Shortage
• Hartzell Offers Beech 1900 Props Through Top Prop 
• Civilian Passenger Ejected From Rafale Jet On Observation Flight
• FAA Classifies Kissimmee Gateway Airport As A 'National' GA Airport
• FlightSafety Announced Upgrades To Cockpit Procedures Trainers

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