Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III

Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III, one of the most heroic pilots of our day. He was the pilot of Flight 1549. If you don't know who he is already, he was one of the few pilots to successfully land a commercial airplane on a body of water with no loss of life. He was just taking off when at about 3000 feet a flock of birds hit both engines and shut down. Because of his altitude he could not return to the airport. Therefore could only land on one thing, the Hudson River.

Sully lives in Danville, California. He is 60 years old. His wife's name is Lorraine and two adopted daughters Kate and Kelly. His act changed airplanes by having protective screens over the engines so that bird strikes will not interfere with the flight. Only a few of them have these now but by the year 2020 they will be on every plane.

He was awarded the Founders' Medal by The Air League. He also was selected as the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade's Grand Marshal. In October 2009 the Republican Party had asked Sullenberger about running for Jerry McNerney's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sully had no desire for running and turned them down.

Chesley Sullenberger inspired me by proving that anything can be done. Most people are inspired by his heroic act at the Hudson, but I'm inspired by his career before he was a commercial pilot. He flew the famous F-4 Phantom IIs from 1975 to 1980. Not only did he save lives when Flight 1549 was going down but he saved lives on a daily basis for 5 years. In all he was in the Air Force for about 35 years and ended up becoming an instructor pilot the next 5.

Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III is one of the most brave pilots that ever lived. I mean how many pilots do you know that have been flying for 40 years? Out of all the heroes out there this is by far the best one.