The real miracle

Sully Sullenberger has used his fame for the good of aviation

Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger has written his name into aviation history and folklore. His successful ditching of an Airbus A320 in 2009 has been well documented and the story revisited countless times since. Yet as amazing as the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ was, it has been Sully’s subsequent actions that have brought him a reputation beyond that of merely a skilled pilot.

With the Airbus still in the river and its passengers still wringing out their clothes, Sully became the centre of a media frenzy. However, far from slipping into the 21st Century’s celebrity-centric culture, he immediately lifted up his entire crew for praise. He highlighted their experience and actions and the importance of teamwork. Yes, he was the captain, but Sully left no doubt that the successful outcome had been the result of the entire crew’s actions. The media seemed less interested in his modest inclusion of the crew, but to those who listened and to those who flew this was the act of a true leader and a gentleman.