Plane Crash

[nemelek]

Some idle thoughts about the recent plane crash.

The pilot was US Air Force Academy Trained. The best pilot training in the world. In panic and crises situations nothing replaces experience. The ability to respond to the circumstances instead of react made the difference between life and death. He walked the plane make sure no one left on board before he got off when he could have been one of the first people off. Although people are calling him a hero, I am sure he would be the last to admit it. He will probably say that he was just doing his job. The next time I get on a plane and see an elderly pilot, I’ll know that I am in good hands.

On a much smaller magnitude I appreciate the elder statesmen (Bob, Gene, Loren to name a few) whose years of car experience add value to this forum.

[KCALB SIRAY]

Yep, glad to see an outstanding citizen perform in such a terrible situation. Good job!

[MadMax]

Errrrr....the USAF Academy doesn't train pilots beyond basic flying skills in Cessnas. The airline captain, Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, accomplished undergraduate pilot training (UPT) after he graduated and was commissioned in 1973. UPT is a year-long course where you learn the basics of flying and navigation, not the Academy. The USAFA is a four-year college where you get a degree and compete to go on to UPT...

Sullenberger flew F-4s for just over six years in the USAF, and has worked for US Airways since 1980. He's got over 19,000 flying hours according to his resume.

He did a a helluva job putting that A320 into the Hudson, those 155 people on board--as well as those who could have perished if he had put it down elsewhere--owe him their lives!

Cheers! M2

[PreciousPups4U]

I thought he was only 57? That's not elderly.

He did a great job for sure. Excellent role model. Just what kids need now a days. Great combination of skill and luck. Terrible when all those people could have been killed because of birds.

[Bob_VT]

It was not a crash. A crash is a collision with an oblect.

It was a DITCH. The pilot had to ditch the plane due to engine malfunction.

[MadMax]

Actually, it is being called a "water landing" as it was performed so well. There's been a lot of discussion on it on the USAF boards I frequent. Many are amazed that he set it down so well, considering the underwing location of the engines. There is an old Air Force axiom that goes "it's better to be lucky than good;" but in this case I think Sully has a large amount of both!

Keep in mind that 19,000 hours is over two years of time in the air. Most heavy drivers in the USAF will hit the 3-5,000 mark if they are lucky and get to fly their entire career (a rarity). Obviously, Sully has a lot of time flying airliners (he never could get close to those hours flying fighters) but he most definitely has some skilled hands!

And it wasn't an engine malfunction, the aircraft experienced multiple birdstrikes during takeoff and both engines flamed-out. Just another reason it was an amazing exhibition of airmanship!

Cheers! M2

[cfiimei]

I've been a commercial pilot and a flight instructor for over 20 years. The media often glorifies pilots for their heroic efforts in surviving events that are usually caused by their own folly. However, in this case, the pilot truly used the skills he had acquired over his years of flying very well. I don't think he is happy that this incident occurred, but he should be very proud that his efforts resulted in a safe ditching. Flying an airliner as a glider is no easy task. He further impressed me by assuring all passengers were off of the aircraft before he left. He is the hero of 2009.

[1NZYaris1]

I've been a commercial pilot and a flight instructor for over 20 years. The media often glorifies pilots for their heroic efforts in surviving events that are usually caused by their own folly. However, in this case, the pilot truly used the skills he had acquired over his years of flying very well. I don't think he is happy that this incident occurred, but he should be very proud that his efforts resulted in a safe ditching. Flying an airliner as a glider is no easy task. He further impressed me by assuring all passengers were off of the aircraft before he left. He is the hero of 2009.


+1 to that , making a brick glide is no easy task at all , it would have made for a hell of a ride though. :bow::bow::bow: