5 min read
As NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft continues a series of flight tests over the California high desert in 2026, its pilot will be flying with a buddy closely looking out for his safety.
That colleague will be another test pilot in a separate chase aircraft. His job as chase pilot: keep a careful watch on things as he tracks the X-59 through the sky, providing an extra set of eyes to help ensure the flight tests are as safe as possible.
Having a chase pilot watch to make sure operations are going smoothly is an essential task when an experimental aircraft is exercising its capabilities for the first time. The chase pilot also takes on tasks like monitoring local weather and supplementing communications between the X-59 and air traffic control.
"All this helps reduce the test pilot's workload so he can concentrate on the actual test mission," said Jim "Clue" Less, a NASA research pilot since 2010 and 21-year veteran U.S. Air Force flyer.
Less served as chase pilot in a NASA F/A-18 research jet when NASA test pilot Nils Larson made the X-59's first flight on Oct. 28. Going forward, Less and Larson will take turns flying as X-59 test pilot or chase pilot.
Staying Close
So how close does a chase aircraft fly to the X-59?
"We fly as close as we need to," Less said. "But no closer than we need to."
The distance depends on where the chase aircraft needs to be to best ensure the success of the test flight. Chase pilots, however, never get so close as to jeopardize safety.
