Sully Sullenberger

About

Sully is an American airline transport pilot (ATP), safety expert, and accident investigator. He served as a fighter pilot for the United States Air Force, piloting McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs from 1975 to 1980. He advanced to become a flight leader and a training officer, and attained the rank of captain, with experience in Europe, the Pacific, and at Nellis Air Force Base, as well as operating as Blue Force Mission Commander in Red Flag Exercises. While in the Air Force, he was a member of an aircraft accident investigation board.

Sulley Sullenberger III gained fame when he successfully ditched US Airways Flight 1549, which had been disabled by striking a flock of Canada geese during its initial climb out, in the Hudson River off Manhattan, New York City, on January 15, 2009. All of the 155 passengers and crew aboard the aircraft survived.

He is the author of Highest Duty, a memoir of his life and of the events surrounding Flight 1549, published in 2009 by HarperCollins. He was ranked second in Time magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential Heroes and Icons of 2009”.

U.S. President George W. Bush called Sullenberger to thank him for saving the lives of the passengers, as did President-elect Barack Obama who also invited him, as well as the entire crew, to join the presidential inauguration ceremony. On January 16, 2009, the United States Senate passed a resolution to recognize and honor Sullenberger, co-pilot Jeff Skiles, the cabin crew, the passengers, and the first responders involved in Flight 1549’s emergency landing. The United States House of Representatives passed a similar resolution of praise on January 26, 2009.

San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Chief Richard Price presented Captain Sullenberger with his district’s highest award, the Medal of Valor, which has been given only a few times in the district’s history.

The 2011 song “A Real Hero” by College, featured in the 2011 film Drive, was written about Sullenberger and Flight 1549, using the lyrics A pilot on a cold, cold morn’ One hundred fifty-five people on board All safe and all rescued.

An animated version of Sullenberger appeared in “The Unbrave One”, the January 8, 2012 episode of the animated TV show American Dad!.

Sully Sullenberger is an American hero and a true patriot. His powerful motivational speeches are ever-popular around the world.