<p>The hero of Flight 1549, pilot Chesley B. Sullenberger III, walked the aisle of the downed US Airways jet twice looking for passengers before exiting the plane he safely ditched in the Hudson River, saving the lives of more than 150 people onboard. The New York City Mayor provides details on Flight 1549’s Hudson River landing.</p>
<p>“It would appear that the pilot did a masterful job of landing the plane in the river and then making sure everybody got out,” New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said of the veteran pilot and Air Force Academy graduate.</p>
<p>Sullenberger, 57, has more than 40 years of flying experience and served as an air force fighter pilot and instructor. </p>
<p>Sullenberger is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and received masters degrees from Purdue University and the University of Northern Colorado.</p>
<p>The plane that Sullenberger landed in the Hudson River, an A-320 manufactured by Airbus, was carrying as many as 148 passengers and five or six crew members, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.</p>
<p>Only 30 seconds after takeoff, at 3:26 p.m. ET, Sullenberger reported the plane had been struck by two birds and said he wanted to return to LaGuardia Airport.</p>
<p>Controllers began giving him directions for return, but he requested landing clearance at the nearby Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. The tower reportedly lost contact soon after that last transmission.</p>
<p>I am amazed by this, I read about it this morning and thought "what a tragedy" then I saw later that everyone had survived, absolutely incredible</p>
<p>Heard this morning that "Sully" is an expert glider pilot and used all his skills in "landing" that plane. I remember my son practicing those "soft field landings", looked the same as a hard water landing to this non-pilot. </p>
<p>A miracle story all the way around. I can't wait to see the movie!</p>
<p>US Airways Hero Pilot Searched Plane Twice Before Leaving</p>
<p>^^^Now that's LEADERSHIP!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Sullenberger is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and received masters degrees from Purdue University and the University of Northern Colorado.
<p>Darn, thought he must have been a Navy pilot. Oh well, he must be part of the Minden soaring community along with my stepson (Navy), a FedEx captain, who holds North American soaring distance record.</p>
<p>This happened right after school yesterday. We all thought it was some terrorist attack because my school had a rapid dismissal. I'ts a miracle that no one was killed. They said the plane was dangerously close to the GWB before landing in the drink. I wish I could have seen the plane in the water with my own eyes. Just imagine trying to keep your cool during that much pressure.</p>
<p>The New York Times reported that Sullenberger had received the Outstanding Cadet in Airmanship Award from the academy, when he graduated in 1973.</p>
<p>Handling an in-flight emergency of this nature is a team effort. Let's give CAPT Sullenberger his due - he did a hellova job....but not much has been said about his co-pilot or the flight attendants. I'm sure that thier actions were also pivitol in achieving zero fatalities and just minor injuries.</p>
<p>^^^rotohd,
You're so right! Capt Sullenberger and his F/O performed a brilliant ditching, but the flight attendants got all of the passengers out of the aircraft safely. No mention of that in the news. Pilots and flight attendants have recurrent training annually and are highly trained to respond to emergencies. p.s. I'm a former flight attendant ;)</p>