Simulated cockpit view of US Airways Hudson River landing

1. Johnny Cat
   Jan 18th, 2009 at 2:18 pm

   More often than not, these kind of situations end up fubar. I'm still basking in this rare instance of cohesion and providence. A hundred things had to go right, and they all did.

2. Skipweasel
   Jan 18th, 2009 at 4:13 pm

   Interesting that in both this instance, and in the Gimli Glider (q.v. Wikipedia) incident the pilots were also experienced glider pilots.

   Just from flying models I know that gliding experience gives you a superior outlook on speed/height balance and how best to trade one against the other, and full-size pilots (pilots of full size planes - I'm already full-size enough, thanks) tell me that it's the same when scaled up.

3. AJ
   Jan 18th, 2009 at 6:26 pm

   Providence? I'd say having a veteran pilot steeped in emergency management at the plane's controls had more influence than any other factor. The man's resume is a mile long.

   http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0115093hero2.html

4. Johnny Cat
   Jan 19th, 2009 at 1:24 am

   And we'll finally hear from him in the morning, via Matt Lauer. Can't wait to hear what he has to say.

   Providence means there were also rescue teams near and actionable at that precious moment. AND the fact that there was no panic. Plus the fact that even though the crew never pulled the water-landing switch, the awesome landing pretty much turned it into a slowly sinking boat, instead of an integrity-challenged hull. But we're back to Sully, then.

5. PJ
   Jan 19th, 2009 at 1:52 am

   bravo! that pilot is a hero

6. Ray
   Jan 19th, 2009 at 6:39 am

   Once they get the black box data, they'll be able to re-create the flight precisely. That will be pretty interesting.

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