NASA Test Pilot Nils Larson Receives Iven C. Kincheloe Award for X-59 First Flight

NASA Test Pilot Nils Larson Receives Iven C. Kincheloe Award for X-59 First Flight

On October 9, 2026, NASA announced that test pilot Nils Larson was the recipient of the Iven C. Kincheloe Award from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. (Primary source)

Larson received this top honor specifically for making the first flight of NASA's quiet supersonic X-59 aircraft and helping to make its first flight in 2025. (Primary source)

The award recognizes Larson for leading the X-59 through its initial flight and safely expanding the aircraft's flight envelope during that mission. (Primary source)