Chesley B Sullenberger

"Hero of the Hudson" Chesley B Sullenberger was the pilot on the ill-fated Flight 1549 out of New York, which crashed into the Hudson River. Sullenberger successfully "ditched" the commercial jet into the river, saving the lives of all 155 passengers on board.Smh.com: Super Sully: How Crash Landing Hero Pulled off the Incredible (January 16, 2009)

Sullenberger later used his status and fame to serve as an advocate for pilots and other airline employees, testifying to a House aviation sub-committee about the difficulties facing professionals in his industry following airline bankruptcies and the September 11 Terrorist Attacks.

On March 3, 2010, Sullenberger retired from his position as a US Airways pilot after serving with the company since 1980. The 59-year-old would have been legally permitted to fly airplanes for a living until age 65.http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-03/-miracle-on-hudson-pilot-sullenberger-retires-from-us-airways.html

Flight 1549

Just minutes after the take-off of US Airways flight 1549, Sullenberger reported multiple bird strikes on his aircraft. Declaring an emergency, he attempted to head back towards LaGuardia airport where he had just taken off from. Unable to make it, he told his passengers and crew to brace themselves for a crash landing. Sullenberger crash-landed the aircraft masterfully in the Hudson river, allowing all of the passengers and crew to survive the impact. Sullenberger himself was the last one off the plane, after having done a walk through twice to ensure no one was left on board.CNN.com: Pilot praised for 'masterful' landing (January 15, 2009)

His wife, Lorrie Sullenberger, spoke to the media on January 16, 2009, about the crash. She said her husband, who is still in New York, asked her to convey a message to the media.USA Today: Wife of US Airways pilot speaks about splashdown (January 16, 2009) Lorrie said they are grateful that all passengers are alive and that she is "very proud" of her husband.USA Today: Wife of US Airways pilot speaks about splashdown (January 16, 2009)

Praised as a Hero

Chesley received a warm welcome from thousands of cheering people when he returned to his California home town on January 24, 2009. He gave the crowd his thanks for an "incredible outpouring of support."CNN: Flight 1549 pilot gets warm welcome in hometown (January 24, 2009)

On January 19, 2009, President Elect-Barack Obama's Inaugural Committee said that Sullenberger had been personally invited by Obama to attend the inauguration in Washington, D.C.CNN: Hero pilot invited to inauguration, officials say (January 19, 2009)

On February 1st, 2009 Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger, III, first officer Jeffrey B. Skiles, and flight attendants Doreen Welsh, Sheila Dail and Donna Dent were recognized by the NFL during the Super Bowl pre-game show.

House Testimony

Chesley Sullenberger has told the House aviation subcommittee that since airline bankrupties following September 11th, his pay and pension have been greatly reduced. He also remarked that the cuts pilots have had to endure are creating broad airline personnel quality issues.FoxNews: Sullenberger Warns Pays... (February 24, 2009)

Quotes About Sullenberger

"It would appear that the pilot did a masterful job of landing the plane in the river and then making sure that everybody got out." - New York Mayor Michael BloombergCNN.com: Pilot praised for 'masterful' landing (January 15, 2009)

"All of a sudden the captain came on and he told us to brace ourselves and probably brace ourselves pretty hard. But he did an amazing job - kudos to him on that landing." - Jeff Kolodjay, passenger on flight 1549CNN.com: Pilot praised for 'masterful' landing (January 15, 2009)

Inside ''The Miracle on The Hudson''

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Captain Sullenberger's Moment

source: www.youtube.com

Captain Chesley Sullenberger tells what was going through his mind as he landed the airplane in the Hudson River. He modestly says the fuss has been too much about him performing this miracle on the Hudson. He says more credit should be given to his copilot and his flight attendants, without whom this could not have been done. He says a flock of birds was what disabled the airplane, flying into its engines and stalling them. He tells how his 19,000 hours of experience helped him use gravity to land the Airbus A320 as a glider.