Chesley B. Sullenberger

Chesley Sullenberger (www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/original/200px)

On January 15, 2009 Pilot Chesley Sullenberger became a hero. Chesley had only seconds to make a quick and vital decision for US Airways Flight 1549, which was moments from crash landing. Shortly after takeoff Flight 1549 hit a flock of geese, disabling both engines. Chesley Sullenberger made the right decision and saved all 155 people on board. After January 15, Sullenberger was known as an American hero.

Chelsey Sullenberger, USAF graduation (http://sanfranciscosentinel.com)

Chesley Sullenberger was born on January 23, 1951. He enrolled at the United States Air Force Academy in 1969. There Sullenberger started in the cadet glider program. By the end of that year, Chesley was an instructor pilot. When his graduation came in 1973, he received the Outstanding Cadet in Airmanship award. In 1980 Sullenberger decided to start commercial flying. Chesley was employed by US Airways in 1980 and has been employed ever since. Chesley Sullenberger has had a total of 40 years and 27,000 hours of flying experience.

Chesley Sullenberger with his wife (http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/life)

Chesley Sullenberger has helped numerous airlines by being a pilot instructor, safety chairman, accident investigator, and national technical committee member. Sullenberger involved in a number of accident investigations conducted by the United States Air Force and the National Transportation Safety Board. One of his most important investigations was one at Los Angeles International Airport. After the accident he led to improved airline procedures and training emergency evacuations of aircraft due to his investigations. Chesley was also instrumental in developing and creating the Crew Resource Management course that is used by U.S Airways today. Sullenberger also worked with NASA scientist to edit a paper on error-inducing contexts in aviation.

U.S Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River (officialmdub.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/2009)

On January 15, 2009 Chesley Sullenberger saved the lives of all 155 people on board. As US Airways Flight 1549 took off a flock of geese flew into its path and disabled both engines. Sullenberger knew the plane was going down. At around 3:31 P.M Chesley crash landed the plane in the Hudson River. After a shaky and scary landing all 155 passengers on board survived the crash with none or minor injuries. On January 16, 2009 the United States Senate passed a resolution to recognize and honor Sullenberger, co-pilot Jeff Skiles, the cabin crew, passengers, and the first responders involved in flight 1549’s emergency landing.

Chesley Sullenberger being honored

On January 20, 2009 Sullenberger attended the presidential inauguration where he and his wife met President Obama. Then, Chelsey Sullenberger and the crew were awarded with a standing ovation at Super Bowl XLIII. Sullenberger and the crew were also awarded with a Masters Medal by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators. Chesley also threw out the first pitch of the 2009 MLB season for the San Francisco Giants.

On January 15 Chesley Sullenberger became a hero to the passengers and crew of Flight 1549. Sullenberger was also a hero throughout his life from when he was a kid in Danville, California to January 15. The passengers of Flight 1549 recall Sulllenberger as “a true hero” and as “extremely calm and relaxed at times of peril”. On January 15, 2009 Chesley Sullenberger made the right decision based upon years of training inside of his Commitment to safety and excellence as a pilot.