The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper will tell an interesting story about the amazing events that happened with C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger, whose name goes down in flying history. As the country remembers the 15th anniversary of the “Miracle on the Hudson,” the episode has an interview with Captain Sullenberger, who talks about the terrifying moments when he safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River, saving all 155 lives. Lorrie, Sully’s wife, and a few other passengers who were on board at the time of the heart-stopping event join the chat.
Who is Captain Sully Sullenberger?
Captain Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger III, who was born on January 23, 1951, became a towering figure in the world of flight, praised for his exceptional skills and brave actions. Sully’s interest in flying began when he was a child in Denison, Texas. Seeing military jets near his home sparked his interest, which led him to build model planes. This set the stage for a future marked by the sky.
When Sullenberger was 16, he took to the air and learned how to fly in an Aeronca Champion 7DC close to his home. This early exposure was a turning point that set him on a path that led to more than 50 years and 20,000 hours of flying training.
Sullenberger got his Bachelor of Science in psychology and basic studies from the United States Air Force Academy. He went to Purdue University and got a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology. He then went to the University of Northern Colorado and got a master’s degree in public administration.
Sully’s long and successful career in commercial flying began when he joined US Airways in 1980. He made a big difference in aviation safety over the next 30 years by teaching, looking into accidents, and leading a safety group for the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). His concern for safety led to the creation of an advice circular from the Federal Aviation Administration and the start of the Crew Resource Management course at US Airways.
On January 15, 2009, Sully’s most important act was when he safely carried out an emergency landing on the Hudson River after Flight 1549 was hit by a bird and both engines were destroyed. The “Miracle on the Hudson” was seen around the world, and Sullenberger’s calm demeanor and quick steps saved all 155 people on board.
In addition to being a pilot, Sullenberger wrote papers with NASA scientists about flight situations that helped people understand situations that could lead to mistakes. His work on accident investigations, commitment to safety, and efforts to improve emergency procedures showed how dedicated he was to the aviation business in many ways.
Where is Captain Sully Sullenberger Now?
Captain Sully Sullenberger worked as the U.S. representative to the International Civil Flight Organization (ICAO), which is an organization that promotes civil flight around the world. From February 3, 2022, to July 1, 2022, he was an ambassador and did this job. Sullenberger is also still involved in teaching. He used to be co-chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, which introduced young people to aviation. He also started Safety Reliability Methods, Inc., a company that helps businesses improve their safety, efficiency, and dependability. Sully keeps giving back to the aviation community and beyond, focusing on safety, teaching, and making the world a better place.
Because of a tragedy in his own family, Captain Sully Sullenberger has been a strong supporter of suicide prevention. His dad killed himself on December 7, 1995, not long after getting out of the hospital after major surgery. Because of this, Sullenberger is now a strong supporter of suicide prevention, raising awareness during National Suicide Prevention Week and giving money to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Captain Sully Sullenberger lives with his fitness instructor wife Lorraine “Lorrie” Sullenberger in Danville, California. They adopted two girls, whose names are Kate and Kelly. Kelly, the daughter of former Captain married Jack Szarabajka on November 11, 2023.
