Sully Sullenberger | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Sullenberger in 2022 | |
| Permanent Representative of the United States to the International Civil Aviation Organization | |
| In office February 3 – July 1, 2022[1][2] | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Sean E. Doocey |
| Succeeded by | Brent Christensen[1] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III January 23, 1951 Denison, Texas, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Lorrie Henry (m. 1989) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | United States Air Force Academy (BS) Purdue University (MS) University of Northern Colorado, Greeley (MPA) |
| Known for | Ditching of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River |
| Awards | See below |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1973–1980 |
| Rank | Captain |
Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III (born January 23, 1951) is an American retired aviator, diplomat and aviation safety expert. He is best known for his actions as captain of US Airways Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009, when he ditched the plane, landing on the Hudson River after both engines were disabled by a bird strike. All 155 people aboard survived. After the Hudson landing, Sullenberger became an outspoken advocate for aviation safety[3] and helped develop new protocols for flight safety. He served as the co-chairman, along with his co-pilot on Flight 1549, Jeffrey Skiles, of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)'s Young Eagles youth introduction-to-aviation program from 2009 to 2013.[4]
Sullenberger retired from US Airways in 2010, after 30 years as a commercial pilot.[5] In 2011, he was hired by CBS News as an aviation and safety expert.[6]
Sullenberger is the co-author, with Jeffrey Zaslow, of the New York Times bestseller Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters, a memoir of his life and of the events surrounding Flight 1549. His second book, Making a Difference: Stories of Vision and Courage from America's Leaders, was published in 2012. He was ranked second in Time's Top 100 Most Influential Heroes and Icons of 2009, after Michelle Obama.[7]
In 2021, President Joe Biden announced he would nominate Sullenberger as U.S. representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with the rank of ambassador.[8][9] He was confirmed by unanimous consent in the Senate[10] and served in that role from February 3 to July 1, 2022.[1]
- ^ a b c "W. Brent Christensen, Charge d'Affaires". U.S. Mission to the International Civil Aviation Organization. August 2022. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
- ^ David Shepardson (24 June 2022). "'Miracle on the Hudson' pilot steps down from international post". reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ "US Airways captain the 'consummate pilot'". CNN. January 16, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2009.
- ^ "Sullenberger, Skiles tapped for Young Eagles". General Aviation News. September 30, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ^ Weiss, Mitch; Bomkamp, Samantha (March 3, 2010). "'Miracle on the Hudson' pilot Sullenberger retires". The Seattle Times.
- ^ "'Sully' Sullenberger named CBS News Aviation and Safety Expert" Archived 2015-01-01 at the Wayback Machine. TV Newser, May 19, 2011
- ^ General Chuck Yeager (April 30, 2009). "The 2009 TIME 100". Time Inc. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved December 20, 2009.
- ^ Tyler, Pager (June 15, 2021). "Biden to nominate Tom Nides as ambassador to Israel; Ken Salazar, 'Sully' Sullenberger also get posts". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ "President Biden Announces His Intent to Nominate Nine More Individuals to Serve as Ambassadors". White House Press Office. June 15, 2021.
- ^ Shepardson, David (December 2, 2021). "U.S. confirms Sullenberger to international aviation post". WTVB. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.