X-59 first flight

[HuggyU2]

Took a few years but it finally flew with Nils Larson at the controls.

He's a former U-2 pilot.

X-59 Soars: A New Era in Supersonic Flight Begins

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® (NYSE: LMT), in partnership with NASA, successfully completed the first flight of the X-59, a revolutionary, quiet supersonic aircraft designed to pave the way for...

news.lockheedmartin.com

David Nils Larson - NASA

David Nils Larson is a research test pilot at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. He is NASA’s lead pilot for the X-59 aircraft,

www.nasa.gov

 

[sevenhelmet]

Took a few years but it finally flew with Nils Larson at the controls.

He's a former U-2 pilot.

X-59 Soars: A New Era in Supersonic Flight Begins

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® (NYSE: LMT), in partnership with NASA, successfully completed the first flight of the X-59, a revolutionary, quiet supersonic aircraft designed to pave the way for...

news.lockheedmartin.com

David Nils Larson - NASA

David Nils Larson is a research test pilot at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. He is NASA’s lead pilot for the X-59 aircraft,

www.nasa.gov

I sat next to him at an SETP dinner a couple of years ago. Really interesting guy.

 

[Griz882]

I sat next to him at an SETP dinner a couple of years ago. Really interesting guy.

Did he crew with his mouth open? I don’t care how hot a stick he is…open mouth chewing test pilots are the worse.

Just kidding….a very impressive resume.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Fun fact, the similar research function XB-1 (BOOM) test pilot that has been in the media, is a SELRES dude flying navy adversary jets on the side. Who said reservists don't considerately break the number? I know I haven't broken the sound barrier as a reservist over any protected land or whale habitats. Can active duty say the same?