Armstrong Flight Research Center
10/09/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/09/2026 14:59
NASA X-59 Pilot Receives Top Test Pilot Award
NASA test pilot Nils Larson recently received a top honor from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots for making the first flight of NASA's quiet supersonic X-59 aircraft and helping to make its first flight in 2025.
Larson received the society's Iven C. Kincheloe Award for leading the X-59 through its first flight and safely expanding the flight envelope to Mach 1.4 at 55,000 feet. He is the first to receive the award for a NASA test flight project in 44 years. Larson was also instrumental in helping shape the research and simulations that went into the X-59's development.
Throughout NASA's current work to fly the X-59 in a variety of altitudes, speeds, and conditions, Larson has alternated piloting duties with Jim "Clue" Less. Their work has helped advance NASA's goals for enabling commercial quiet supersonic flight over land.
Larson received the award Sept. 26. Learn more about the Quesst mission on NASA's site.
More X-59 to Explore
Read more on the Quesst mission page.
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