Chesley Sullenberger ''Sully''

Chesley Sullenberger wearing his pilot uniform. (Google Images)

I believe that a hero is someone who had the courage and ability to do something brave. We admire them for their noble and heroic act. I believe Chesley B. Sullenberger III "Sully" is a great example of this definition. He never expected that something he was responsible for would be known to everyone as the “Miracle on the Hudson.” Sully knew what he had to do, but he never knew how the outcome would turn out.

Chesley B. Sullenberger III, also known as “Sully,” was the pilot of Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009. The plane was leaving New York and heading towards Charlotte North Carolina. Shortly after departing New York, it flew threw a flock of birds and this caused the left engine of the plane to shut down. The engine caught on fire and many passengers could see the flames. When Sully realized the engine was not working he made the cautious decision to land in the Hudson River. As he told the passengers on the flight to “Brace for Impact” most of the people on board thought they were going to die. Sully had the skill and experience to know exactly what he should do and he was calm throughout the whole process. The plane landed in the Hudson in about 24 degree cold water. All 150 passengers made it safely out of the plane. It truly was a “Miracle on the Hudson.”

Sully was born on January 23, 1951 in Denison, Texas. He first got interested in planes because his house was next to an Air Force Base. As a kid he loved watching the planes. At age 16, Sullenberger learned how to fly his first plane. In 1969 he enrolled in the United States Air Force Academy and as a freshman was chosen to be in a cadet glider program. He graduated in 1973 with the degree of a top flier. After his schooling he became a Commercial Pilot and flew for U.S Airway. Chesley moved to Danville, California with his wife Lorraine and his 2 adopted children Kate and Kelly, where they all live now.

Sully made a difference because he knew his plane well enough to know that it couldn’t make it back to New York. He had to make the quick decision himself to land in the Hudson. If he didn’t have the thought to land in the Hudson River, the damage would have been a lot worse. All of the passengers possibly would not have made it. I believe Chesley is an idol for many other people and many different pilots in the world. A neighbor of the Sullenberger’s said “If anyone could do it, it would be him.” Many friends, family, and co-workers already respected Sully for the type of person and pilot he was. Now more people than ever respect and honor him for the heroic things he did on January 15th, 2009. Chesley Sullenberger III inspires me because in a very deathly situation, he remained calm, took charge, and knew exactly what to do. He instructed the passengers not to panic and told them what they needed to do in order to be safe. I am always scared to fly on a plane, but after I heard the story about Chesley landing a plane in a river I realized that some pilots in the world would know what to do if I ever became in danger while I was on a plane. This reassured me about flying on a plane. I think Sully can serve as a motivation and inspiration to other pilots because of his wise actions. Chesley was the last one out of the plane because he wanted to make sure that everyone was out safely. He risked his life for the lives of many others. This is an example of why many pilots look up to him. Many others also look up to him because throughout this whole process he was humble and often showed integrity.

Chesley Sullenberger III is a true example of a hero. He showed true courage and strength through his actions when landing the plane. He was acknowledged as a hero in Time Magazine’s Heroes of the Year. Sully doesn’t consider himself to be a hero, but many others do. Not only me, but hundreds of people see Chesley as a hero. I think he didn’t let all the fame get to his head as many other celebrities have done. Sully appears to have remained the same person. No one forced him to land in the Hudson River, it was his decision and choice. I believe he truly did show courage and the strength through his actions on January 15, 2009.