This day in aviation history: On January 15, 2009, at 3:27 p.m. - TopicsExpress



          

This day in aviation history: On January 15, 2009, at 3:27 p.m. EST, the plane struck a flock of Canada geese during its initial climb out, lost engine power, and ditched in the Hudson River off midtown Manhattan with no loss of human life. Captain Sully Sullenberger and Crew saved the lives of all on board. Sullenberger enrolled at the United States Air Force Academy in 1969. He was selected as one of around a dozen other freshmen for a cadet glider program, and by the end of that year, he was an instructor pilot. In the year of his graduation, 1973, he received the Outstanding Cadet in Airmanship award, as the class top flyer. Following graduation with a Bachelor of Science and his commissioning as an officer, the Air Force immediately sent Sullenberger to Purdue University. Sullenberger 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. Of the 2009 accident Sullenberger said: One way of looking at this might be that for 42 years, Ive been making small, regular deposits in this bank of experience, education and training. And on January 15 the balance was sufficient so that I could make a very large withdrawal. Thank you Captain Sully Sullenberger and Crew for saving so many lives... you are all true American Heros!
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 21:22:14 +0000

Trending Topics



Recently Viewed Topics




© 2015