NASA’s New X-59 Test Pilot Gets Behind Controls for Ground Test
This summer, NASA test pilot Mike Lippert powered up the X‑59 cockpit for the first time, running the aircraft’s engines on the ground during a key step in his months of preparation and training to fly the experimental aircraft. “Getting into the cockpit of the X‑59 felt very comfortable,” said Lippert, the newest X-59 test pilot for NASA’s Quesst mission. “The whole team has done a tremendous…
NASA's X-59 test pilot, Mike Lippert, sat in the aircraft's cockpit for the first time during an engine run at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California on August 27, 2026. Lippert, the third X-59 pilot supporting NASA’s Quesst mission, described the cockpit experience as comfortable and praised the team for his thorough training and preparation.
The X-59's innovative design aims to create a quiet sonic "thump" rather than a disruptive sonic boom when flying supersonic. This ground test allowed Lippert to learn from the experienced pilots, Nils Larson and Jim "Clue" Less, who guided him through the startup sequence and provided valuable feedback. The X-59 is a unique aircraft that requires precise coordination between the cockpit and control room during critical operations.
Lippert's training included extensive simulator sessions and familiarization with the aircraft's systems. As the test progresses, Lippert will gain experience in the real-world rhythm of flight tests, preparing him for future test flights. The X-59 will eventually undergo acoustic validation flights to further study its sonic thumps, with more information available on NASA's website.
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