Sully Sullenberger

Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III was born January 23, 1951, in Denison, Texas.[https://www.biography.com/people/chesley-sullenberger-20851353 "Chesley Sullenberger"]. Biography.com. Retrieved August 1, 2017. His father was a descendant of Swiss-German immigrants named Sollenberger.{{cite news|url=http://www.bernerzeitung.ch/region/emmental/Held-vom-Hudson-stammt-aus-Wynigen/story/11891131|title="Held vom Hudson" stammt aus Wynigen|date=January 20, 2009|work=Berner Zeitung|language=en|access-date=January 20, 2009}} He has one younger sister, Mary.{{cite web | url=https://www.msnbc.com/podcast/captain-sully-sullenberger-my-aircraft-n1235862 | title=Transcript: Captain "Sully" Sullenberger: My Aircraft | website=MSNBC | date=5 August 2020 }} The street on which he grew up was named after his mother's family. According to his sister, Sullenberger built model planes and aircraft carriers during his childhood; she says he became interested in flying after seeing military jets from an Air Force base near his house.{{cite news |first=Ray |last=Rivera |title=In a Split Second, a Pilot Becomes a Hero Years in the Making |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/nyregion/17pilot.html |work=The New York Times |date=January 16, 2009 |access-date=January 17, 2009}} He went to school in Denison and was consistently on the 99th percentile in every academic category.{{cite web |title = Hero Pilot's Records, IQ Scores Released by School District in 'Accident' |publisher = Fox News |date = January 16, 2009 |url = https://www.foxnews.com/story/hero-pilots-records-iq-scores-released-by-school-district-in-accident |access-date = January 16, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090117173306/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,480250,00.html |archive-date = January 17, 2009 |url-status = live |df = mdy-all }}

At age 11, his IQ was deemed high enough that he was allowed to join Mensa International. In high school, he was the president of the Latin club, a first chair flutist, and an honor student. He was an active member of the Waples Memorial United Methodist Church.{{cite web|last1=Lovelace|first1=John A.|title=United Methodist church nurtured hero pilot|url=http://archives.gcah.org/bitstream/handle/10516/345/6768959.htm|website=gcah.org|publisher=United Methodist News Service|access-date=December 4, 2017|date=February 17, 2009}} He graduated from Denison High School in 1969,{{cite news | last= Longish | first= Dawn | title= 'Hero on the Hudson' Pilot grew up in North Texas | work= The 33 News | location= Dallas/Fort Worth, TX | date= January 16, 2009 | url= http://www.the33tv.com/pages/content_landing_page/?Hero-on-the-Hudson-Pilot-grew-up-in-Nort=1&blockID=188187&feedID=460 | access-date= January 18, 2009 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090122210550/http://www.the33tv.com/pages/content_landing_page/?Hero-on-the-Hudson-Pilot-grew-up-in-Nort=1&blockID=188187&feedID=460 | archive-date= January 22, 2009 }} near the top of his class of about 350. At 16, Sullenberger learned to fly in an Aeronca Champion 7DC at a private airstrip near his home. He said that the training he received from a local flight instructor influenced his aviation career.{{cite news|title=Hero Pilot 'Sully' Sullenberger Tries to Stay Grounded|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121345792|access-date=December 2, 2017|work=NPR|date=December 11, 2009|language=en}}

Sullenberger earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and basic sciences from the United States Air Force Academy. He earned a master's degree in industrial-organizational psychology from Purdue University in 1973 and a Master of Public Administration from University of Northern Colorado in 1979.{{cite magazine |last=Altman |first=Alex |title=Two-Minute Bio: Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III |magazine=Time |date =January 16, 2009 |url=http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1872247,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118221318/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1872247,00.html |url-status=live|archive-date=January 18, 2009 |access-date=January 16, 2009}}

File:Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III, USAFA'73.jpg senior class photograph]]

Sullenberger was appointed to the United States Air Force Academy, entering with the Class of 1973 in June 1969. He was selected along with around a dozen other freshmen for a cadet glider program, and by the end of that year, he was an instructor pilot. When he graduated in 1973, he received the Outstanding Cadet in Airmanship award, as the class's "top flyer". Immediately following his graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree and his commissioning as an officer, the Air Force sent Sullenberger to Purdue University to pursue a master's degree prior to entering Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT).{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Following completion of his master's, he was assigned to UPT at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, flying the T-37 Tweet and T-38 Talon. After earning his wings in 1975 as a pilot, he completed replacement training in the F-4 Phantom II at Luke AFB, Arizona. This was followed by his assignment to the 493d Tactical Fighter Squadron of 48th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, in the F-4D Phantom II.

Following his assignment at RAF Lakenheath, he was reassigned to the 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing at Nellis AFB, Nevada, again flying the F-4D.{{cite web |url=http://jabara.usafalibrary.com/person.asp?id=49 |title=USAFA Jabara Award Database |access-date=2016-07-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514150201/http://jabara.usafalibrary.com/person.asp?id=49 |archive-date=2014-05-14 }}{{cite news |title=Chesley B. Sullenberger III |publisher=AccessInterviews |date=January 16, 2009 |url=http://www.accessinterviews.com/interviews/subject/chesley-b-sullenberger-iii/5911 |access-date=January 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124125002/http://accessinterviews.com/interviews/subject/chesley-b-sullenberger-iii/5911 |archive-date=January 24, 2009}} He advanced to become a flight leader and a training officer and attained the rank of captain. He gained experience in Europe, the Pacific, and at Nellis Air Force Base, and operated as Blue Force mission commander in Red Flag Exercises. He served on an aircraft accident investigation board.

Sullenberger worked for US Airways and its predecessor airlines from 1980 until 2010.{{cite news|access-date=January 17, 2009|url=http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/16/bn16pilot115554-pilot-background-friend/?zIndex=38429|title=US Airways pilot a mix of modesty and professionalism, says Coronado friend|first=Debbi|last=Baker|work=Union-Tribune|location=San Diego, CA|date=January 16, 2009|archive-date=August 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805031005/http://www.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/16/bn16pilot115554-pilot-background-friend/?zIndex=38429|url-status=dead}}{{cite press release| title = US Airways flight 1549: Airline releases crew information |publisher = US Airways|date =January 16, 2009 | url = http://www.usairways.com/awa/Content/en-US/information/home.html |access-date =January 17, 2009}} (Pacific Southwest Airlines was acquired by US Air, later US Airways, in 1988.) He holds an airline transport pilot certificate for single and multi-engine airplanes, a commercial pilot license rating in gliders, and a flight instructor certificate for airplanes (single, multi-engine, and instrument) and gliders.{{cite web| url = https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/| title = FAA Airman record for Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III| access-date = December 18, 2015 | author = Federal Aviation Administration}} In total, he has more than 50 years and 20,000 hours of flying experience. In 2007, he became the founder and CEO of Safety Reliability Methods, Inc. (SRM), a firm providing strategic and tactical guidance to enhance organizational safety, performance, and reliability.[http://www.sullysullenberger.com/about/ "About Us"]. He has been involved in a number of accident investigations conducted by the USAF and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), such as Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 and USAir Flight 1493.{{Cite web |url=http://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/Sullys-Tale.html |title=Sully's Tale |publisher=Air & Space magazine |access-date=February 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20140511025253/http://www.airspacemag.com/as-interview/aamps-interview-sullys-tale-53584029/ |archive-date=May 11, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} He served as an instructor, Air Line Pilots Association local air safety chairman, accident investigator, and national technical committee member.{{cite news| title = Profile: Captain Chesley Sullenberger, "hero of the Hudson"| work = BBC News| date =January 16, 2009 |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7832642.stm| access-date =January 16, 2009}}{{cite news |title=Captain's skill saved lives of everyone |work=The Herald (Glasgow) |date=January 16, 2009 |url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/other/display.var.2482142.0.Captains_skill_saved_lives_of_everyone.php |access-date=January 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122212643/http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/other/display.var.2482142.0.Captains_skill_saved_lives_of_everyone.php |archive-date=January 22, 2009 }} His safety work for ALPA led to the development of a Federal Aviation Administration advisory circular. He was instrumental in developing and implementing the Crew Resource Management course that was used by US Airways, and he has taught the course to hundreds of airline crew members.{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Reid |date=October 1, 2009 |title=GOP tried to recruit hero pilot 'Sully' for 2010 Congress bid |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/51474-gop-tried-to-recruit-hero-pilot-sully-for-2010-congress-bid/ |access-date=October 5, 2009 |newspaper=The Hill}}

Working with NASA scientists, he coauthored a paper on error-inducing contexts in aviation. He was an air accident investigator for an NTSB inquiry into a major accident at Los Angeles International Airport, which "led to improved airline procedures and training for emergency evacuations of aircraft." Sullenberger studied the psychology behind keeping an airline crew functioning during a crisis.Martin L, Davison J, Orasanu O, et al. Identifying error-inducing contexts in aviation. Paper presented at: SAE World Aviation Conference; October 19 –21, 1999; San Francisco, CA

Sullenberger was active with his union, serving as chairman of a safety committee within the Air Line Pilots Association.

He was a featured speaker for two panels: one on aviation and one on patient safety in medicine, at the High Reliability Organizations (HRO) 2007 International Conference in 2007.{{cite news|title=High Reliability Organizations Deauville Conference 2007 Archive |work=HRO2007 |date=May 31, 2007 |url=http://hro-fires.com/hro2007// |access-date=February 9, 2009}} {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{Main|US Airways Flight 1549}}

File:Plane crash into Hudson River muchcropped.jpg afloat in the Hudson River]]

On January 15, 2009, Sullenberger was the captain of US Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus A320 taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City bound for Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina.{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightstats.com/v2/flight-tracker/US/1549|title=US1549 - US 1549 Flight Tracker|website=Flightstats.com|access-date=9 February 2022}} Shortly after takeoff, the plane struck a flock of Canada geese and lost power in both engines.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/01/15/2009-01-15_us_airways_airplane_crashes_in_hudson_ri.html

|title=US Airways airplane crashes on Hudson River – Hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger III saves all aboard|author1=Burke, Kerry |author2=Pete Donohue |author3=Corky Siemaszko |name-list-style=amp|date=January 16, 2009|work=Daily News (New York)}} Quickly determining he would be unable to reach either LaGuardia or Teterboro Airports,{{cite news|url=http://iht.com/articles/2009/01/18/news/plane.1-409908.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120175753/http://iht.com/articles/2009/01/18/news/plane.1-409908.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 20, 2009 |access-date=January 18, 2009 |title= Dramatic details released on plane crash onto the Hudson|author1=Wald, Matthew L. |author2=Al Baker|date=January 18, 2009|work=International Herald Tribune}} Sullenberger flew the plane to an emergency water landing on the Hudson River. All 155 people on board survived and were rescued.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28678669 |title=N.Y. jet crash called 'miracle on the Hudson'|date=January 15, 2009 |publisher=MSNBC}}

Sullenberger said later: "It was very quiet as we worked, my copilot Jeff Skiles and I. We were a team. But to have zero thrust coming out of those engines was shocking—the silence."{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/hero-pilot-tells-of-shocking-moment-engines-cut-out/2009/02/04/1233423276808.html|title=Hero pilot tells of 'shocking' moment engines cut out |date=February 4, 2009|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=September 29, 2016}} Sullenberger was the last to leave the aircraft, after twice making sweeps through the cabin to make sure all passengers and crew had evacuated.60 Minutes, February 8, 2009. CBS News.

Sullenberger, described by friends as "shy and reticent",{{cite news| title = Hero pilot's homecoming| work = The Guardian|first=Ewen |last=MacAskill| date = January 26, 2009| url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jan/26/chesley-sullenberger-homecoming| access-date =January 29, 2009}} was noted for his poise and calm during the crisis; New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg dubbed him "Captain Cool".{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/02102009/news/regionalnews/key_for_captain_marvel_154415.htm|first=Sally|last=Goldenberg|title=Key for Captain Marvel|work=New York Post|date=February 10, 2009|access-date=February 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418021137/http://www.nypost.com/seven/02102009/news/regionalnews/key_for_captain_marvel_154415.htm|archive-date=April 18, 2009|url-status=dead}} Nonetheless, Sullenberger suffered symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in subsequent weeks, including sleeplessness and flashbacks.{{cite journal|author=Hewitt, Bill, Nicole Weisenssee Egan, Diane Herbst, Tiffany McGee and Shermakaye Bass|title=Flight 1549: The Right Stuff|journal=People Magazine|date=February 23, 2009 |pages=60–66 |url=http://people.com/archive/cover-story-flight-1549-the-right-stuff-vol-71-no-7/ |access-date=January 11, 2018}} He said that the moments before the landing were "the worst sickening, pit-of-your-stomach, falling-through-the-floor feeling" that he had ever experienced.{{cite news| title=Worst moments of my life: pilot tells of ditching in Hudson| work = Sydney Morning Herald |agency=AP|date = February 6, 2009| url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/audio-reveals-exactly-what-happened--a-hrefhttpmediasmhcomaurid45888blistenba/2009/02/06/1233423442580.html| access-date =February 6, 2009}} He also said, "One way of looking at this might be that for 42 years, I've been making small, regular deposits in this bank of experience, education and training. And on January 15, the balance was sufficient so that I could make a very large withdrawal."{{cite journal|first=Bill |last=Newcott|title=Wisdom of the Elders |journal=AARP Magazine |volume=347|date=May–June 2009 |issue=6226 |page=52|bibcode=2015Sci...347.1110V}}

The National Transportation Safety Board ruled that landing on the river was the correct decision instead of attempting a return to LaGuardia AirportDodd, Johnny (September 19, 2016). "After the Miracle", People, pp 87–88. because the normal procedures for engine loss are designed for cruising altitudes, not immediately after takeoff. Simulations performed at the Airbus Training Centre Europe in Toulouse showed that Flight 1549 could have made it back to LaGuardia had that maneuver begun immediately after the bird strike. However, such scenarios both neglected the time necessary for the pilots to understand and assess the situation, and risked the possibility of a crash within a densely populated area.Paur, Jason (May 5, 2010). [https://www.wired.com/2010/05/ntsb-makes-recommendations-after-miracle-on-the-hudson-investigation/ "Sullenberger Made the Right Move, Landing in the Hudson"]. Wired.Yang, Carter (May 4, 2010). [http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ntsb-sully-could-have-made-it-back-to-laguardia/ "NTSB: Sully Could Have Made it Back to LaGuardia"]. CBS News.

File:Sullenberger and Skiles at inauguration.jpg (back right) at the first inauguration of Barack Obama on 20 January 2009, with Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning in front]]

U.S. President George W. Bush called Sullenberger to thank him for saving the lives of the passengers,{{cite news

|title = Bush salutes Hudson River pilot who landed plane| publisher = Associated Press| date =January 16, 2009 |url =https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gzMdsFeJ5wmBEPLUTBjxw_VRVFagD95ODEK80|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090121183714/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gzMdsFeJ5wmBEPLUTBjxw_VRVFagD95ODEK80|url-status =dead|archive-date =January 21, 2009| access-date =January 16, 2009}} as did President-elect Barack Obama,{{cite news| title = Obama, Sullenberger speak by phone| publisher = CNN| date = January 16, 2009| url = http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/16/obama-sullenberger-speak-by-phone/| access-date = January 16, 2009| archive-date = August 17, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200817125720/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/16/obama-sullenberger-speak-by-phone/| url-status = dead}} who invited him and the crew to join the presidential inauguration ceremony.{{cite news| title = Obama, Sullenberger invitation to inauguration| work= The Guardian |first=Robert |last=Booth| date = January 19, 2009| url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jan/19/obama-honours-martin-luther-king

|access-date =January 19, 2009}} On January 16, 2009, the United States Senate passed a resolution recognizing and honoring Sullenberger, Skiles, the cabin crew, the passengers, and the first responders involved in Flight 1549's emergency landing.{{cite web|title=S.Res.17 - A resolution recognizing and honoring Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, his co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles, the crewmembers of U.S. Airways Flight 1549, and the first responders, ferry operators and tug boat drivers of New York City, for their heroic and intuitive roles in the safe emergency landing of U.S. Airways Flight 1549.|publisher=Library of Congress|date=January 16, 2009|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-resolution/17?s=1&r=3|access-date=April 26, 2021}} The United States House of Representatives passed a similar resolution on January 26, 2009.{{cite web| title = Text of H.Res.84 Honoring the heroic actions of the pilot, crew, and rescuers of US Airways Flight 1549| publisher = Library of Congress| date = January 26, 2009| url = http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.RES.84.ATH:| access-date = January 31, 2009| archive-date = January 26, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160126174602/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.RES.84.ATH:| url-status = dead}}

Sullenberger attended the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2009, where he and his wife met President Obama. On January 22, 2009, he and the rest of the crew of Flight 1549 were awarded a Masters Medal by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators.{{cite web|url=http://www.gapan.org/news/Masters%20Medal%20%20Press%20Release.pdf |title=US Airways Flight 1549 Crew receive prestigious Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators Award |publisher=GAPAN |access-date=January 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226022800/http://www.gapan.org/news/Masters%20Medal%20%20Press%20Release.pdf |archive-date=February 26, 2009}} A ceremony for Sullenberger was held on January 24, 2009, in Sullenberger's town of Danville, California, where he was presented with awards including Danville's "Key to the Town", and was named an honorary Danville police officer.{{cite news|title ='Just doing my job' says hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger| newspaper = The Times|first=Philippe |last=Naughton| date = January 25, 2009| url = https://www.thetimes.com/article/just-doing-my-job-says-hero-pilot-chesley-sullenberger-pb5g8f8vcpz| access-date =January 29, 2009 | location=London}} While in the Tri-Valley, Sullenberger gave his first official interview to Jega Sanmugam of The Wildcat Tribune,{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/student-scoops-journalists-with-interview/2009/02/09/1234027899930.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211113725/http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/student-scoops-journalists-with-interview/2009/02/09/1234027899930.html |archive-date=2009-02-11 |title=Student scoops journalists with Sully interview |author=Ramachandran, Arjun |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2009-02-09 |access-date=2009-09-01 |url-status=dead }} the student newspaper of Dougherty Valley High School, which his daughter attended at the time.Moellering, Amy. "Inside our Schools: Student scores first print interview with US". Oakland Tribune, 2009-02-16. In a special February 2009 edition, the Tribune published "Heroism & Humility on the Hudson", covering Sullenberger and the Flight 1549 landing.

File:Chesley Sullenberger honored.jpg presenting Sullenberger with a framed flag on January 24, 2009]]

San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Chief Richard Price presented Captain Sullenberger with his district's highest award, the Medal of Valor,{{cite news

|title = Pilot 'Sully' Sullenberger gets hero's welcome| work = Oakland Tribune| date = January 24, 2009| url = http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_11545863| access-date =January 30, 2009}} which had been given only a few times in the district's history.{{cite news| title = Calif. Fire Dept. Awards Sullenberger Medal of Valor| work = Fire Chief News| date = January 28, 2009| url = http://firechief.com/news/san_ramon_sullenberger_0128/| access-date = January 30, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211235346/http://firechief.com/news/san_ramon_sullenberger_0128/| archive-date = February 11, 2009| url-status = dead}} Sullenberger, Skiles, and Flight 1549's cabin crew—Doreen Welsh, Sheila Dail, and Donna Dent—were honored with a standing ovation during the Super Bowl XLIII pre-game ceremony on February 1, 2009.{{cite news| title = Super ovation for 'Sully', US Airways crew| publisher = NBC Sports| agency = Associated Press| date = February 1, 2009| url = http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28967586/| access-date = February 1, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090203143717/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28967586/| archive-date = February 3, 2009| url-status = dead}} Sullenberger was awarded with honorary lifetime membership in the Seaplane Pilots Association.{{cite news| title = 1549's Sullenberger Becomes Honorary Policeman And Seaplane Society Member| publisher = AVweb| date = January 24, 2009| url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/SullenbergerEarnsAccolades_199650-1.html?| access-date =January 29, 2009}} In 2009, Sullenberger was awarded the Founders' Medal by The Air League.{{cite web |url=http://www.airleague.co.uk/toServlet.jsp?servlet=servlet/SubpageServlet&subsiteId=&pageId=9&subpageId=26&env=1&view=1 |title=The Founders' Medal |publisher=The Air League |access-date=February 7, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040112185124/http://www.airleague.co.uk/toServlet.jsp?servlet=servlet%2FSubpageServlet&subsiteId=&pageId=9&subpageId=26&env=1&view=1 |archive-date=January 12, 2004 }} Admirers of Sullenberger started a Facebook fan site that, as of late February 2009, had half a million members.

A library book, Just Culture: Balancing Safety and Accountability was in Sullenberger's luggage left behind in the cockpit. When Sullenberger notified the library that the water-damaged book had been recovered, it made a point of waiving any late fees. Bloomberg presented Sullenberger with a new copy along with the Key to the City of New York.{{cite news|work=San Jose Mercury News|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2009/02/02/fresno-library-lets-late-fees-fly-for-hudson-river-hero-pilot/|title=Fresno library lets Danville pilot's late fees fly|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=February 2, 2009|access-date=|archivedate=May 22, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522161244/http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11611495}}{{cite news |access-date=July 26, 2009 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28984884|publisher=NBC News |agency=Associated Press|title=Library lets late fees fly for Hudson pilot; A book checked out to Chesley Sullenberger was left in the cargo hold|date= February 2, 2009}}{{cite news| title = NY mayor hails 'hero' crash pilot| work = BBC News| date = January 16, 2009|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7834034.stm| access-date =January 16, 2009}}

Sullenberger threw out the first pitch of the 2009 Major League Baseball season for the San Francisco Giants. His Giants jersey was inscribed with the name "Sully" and the number 155—a reference to the 155 people aboard the plane.{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_12095405|title=Mountain View school reunion at Giants' opener|last=Reid |first=John|date=April 7, 2009|work=Mercury News|access-date=April 14, 2009}}

On June 6, 2009, Sullenberger returned to Denison to participate in the town's D-Day celebration and to give the commencement address for his alma mater, marking the 40th anniversary of his graduation from the school.{{cite news|title=Sullenberger in Denison to mark D-Day, commencement|work=The Herald Democrat|date=June 5, 2009}}

Sullenberger made an appearance in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 14, 2009, to participate in the Red Carpet All-Star Parade before the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

{{Wikinews|US Airways jet recovered from Hudson River | "Miracle on the Hudson" pilot retires}}

On February 24, 2009, Sullenberger testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Aviation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that his salary had been cut by 40 percent, and that his pension, like most airline pensions, was terminated and replaced by a PBGC guarantee worth only pennies on the dollar.[http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-111hhrg47866/pdf/CHRG-111hhrg47866.pdf US Airways Flight 1549 Accident, Hearing]. February 24, 2009. U.S. House, Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Washington: Government Printing Office, 2009. He cautioned that airlines were "under pressure to hire people with less experience. Their salaries are so low that people with greater experience will not take those jobs. We have some carriers that have hired some pilots with only a few hundred hours of experience. ... There's simply no substitute for experience in terms of aviation safety."{{cite web|url=http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/miracle_on_the_hudson_pilot_ch.html|title='Miracle on the Hudson' pilot Chesley Sullenberger retires|work=syracuse.com|date=4 March 2010 }}

The Sullenberger Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina is named for him. It houses a Miracle on the Hudson exhibit.{{cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article257321557.html|title=Charlotte museum to be renamed to honor 'Miracle on the Hudson' hero Captain 'Sully'|last=Marusak|first=Joe|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=January 14, 2022|access-date=January 15, 2022}}

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Annie Glenn Award (2021){{Cite web |title=Captain Sully Sullenberger Named 2021 Recipient of ASHA's Prestigious Annie Glenn Award |url=https://www.asha.org/news/2021/captain-sully-sullenberger-named-2021-recipient-of-ashas-prestigious-annie-glenn-award/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=American Speech-Language-Hearing Association |language=en}}
• Tony Jannus Award (2018){{Cite web|url=https://tonyjannus.com/about|title=About the Society|website=Tony Jannus Award}}
• EAA Freedom of Flight Award (2015, with Jeff Skiles){{cite web|url=https://www.eaa.org/airventure/about-eaa-airventure-oshkosh/eaa-awards/freedom-of-flight-award|title=Freedom of Flight Award|publisher=Experimental Aircraft Association|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=2022|access-date=September 17, 2022|archivedate=September 17, 2022|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20220917141928/https://www.eaa.org/airventure/about-eaa-airventure-oshkosh/eaa-awards/freedom-of-flight-award}}
• National Air and Space Museum Trophy for Current Achievement (2010, with rest of Flight 1549 crew)Van der Linden, Bob(April 26, 2010). [https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/crew-us-airways-flight-1549-be-presented-national-air-and-space-museums-trophy "The Crew of US Airways Flight 1549 to be Presented with the National Air and Space Museum's Trophy Award for Current Achievement"]. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
• Legion of Honour (Officer) (2010)[http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/airways-capt-chesley-sully-sullenberger-at-the-presentation-news-photo/114425193 "The French Legion Of Honor Presents Chesley Sullenberger With The Officier Award"]. Getty Images. December 17, 2010.
• Time{{'}}s 100 Most Influential Heroes and Icons (2009)
• Founders' Medal from the Air League (2009){{Cite web |date=Jan 31, 2022 |title=The Founders' Medal |url=https://airleague.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Previous-Air-League-Awards-2022.pdf |website=Air League}}
• Master's Medal from the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (2009, with Flight 1549 crew)
• Key to the City from New York City (2009, with Flight 1549 crew)
• Key to the Town from Danville, California (2009)
• Chris Matthews' Hardball Award (2009){{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28754284 |title=Hardball with Chris Matthews for Friday, January 16 - Hardball with Chris Matthews- NBC News |publisher=NBC News |date=2009-01-20 |access-date=2022-09-13}}
• Jabara Award (2009)
• Air League Founders' Medal (2009)Daly, Kieran (June 8, 2009). [https://www.flightglobal.com/sully-receives-uk-air-league-medal-from-duke-of-edinburgh/86883.article "Sully receives UK Air League medal from Duke of Edinburgh"]. FlightGlobal.com. Retrieved March 8, 2021.

File:Sullenberger Sydney.JPG

In 2010, Sullenberger retired after 30 years with US Airways and its predecessor. His final flight was US Airways Flight 1167 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he reunited with Skiles and a half dozen of the passengers on Flight 1549.

Sullenberger works as an international lecturer and keynote speaker at educational institutions, corporations, and non-profit organizations about the importance of aviation and patient safety, high performance systems improvement, leadership and culture, risk and crisis management, lifelong preparation, and living a life of integrity. In 2011 he presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the Swiss Economic Forum.{{Cite web|url=https://www.harrywalker.com/speakers/sully-sullenberger/|title=Sully Sullenberger {{!}} The Harry Walker Agency|website=Harry Walker Agency|language=en|access-date=2019-02-07}}

He served as the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade's Grand Marshal.{{cite web|url= https://www.denverpost.com/2009/11/05/splashdown-pilot-sullenberger-to-lead-rose-parade/|title=Splashdown pilot Sullenberger to lead Rose Parade|newspaper=The Denver Post|via=Associated Press|date=November 5, 2009|access-date=June 5, 2020}}

File:Captain Sully Visits Ames.jpg, December 2011]]

In December 2010, Sullenberger was appointed an Officer of France's Legion of Honour.

He and the Flight 1549 crew received the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Trophy for Current Achievement in 2010.

With coauthor Jeffrey Zaslow, Sullenberger wrote the 2009 bestselling memoir Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters. In the book, Sullenberger also discussed personal matters, including his father's suicide in 1995, the Sullenbergers' struggle with infertility, and their decision to adopt.[http://www.cbsnews.com/news/capt-sully-sullenberger-gets-personal/ "Capt. "Sully" Sullenberger Gets Personal"]. CBS News. October 14, 2009.Sullenberger, Chesley (August 2014). [http://www.sullysullenberger.com/the-devastating-impact-of-suicide-my-personal-reflection/ "The Devastating Impact of Suicide: My Personal Reflection"]. sullysullenberger.com.

In May 2011, CBS News hired Sullenberger as an aviation and safety expert.

From 2009 to 2013, Sullenberger and Skiles acted as the co-chairmen of the EAA's Young Eagles Program, which gives children the opportunity to experience flight and learn about general aviation. Since its inception, the program has flown over 2 million kids and is the most successful of its kind. Through their participation and service to aviation safety, Sullenberger and Skiles received the EAA Freedom of Flight Award in 2015.

Sullenberger's second book, Making a Difference: Stories of Vision and Courage from America's Leaders, was released on May 15, 2012.

In 2019 Sullenberger said that Boeing 737 MAX crashes "are demonstrable evidence that our current system of aircraft design and certification has failed us. These accidents should never have happened."{{Cite web|author=Pascus, Brian|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/captain-sullenberger-sully-testifies-congress-boeing-737-max-8-airplanes-deadly-crashes/|title=Captain Sullenberger tells Congress, Boeing 737 Max crashes "should never have happened"|publisher=CBS News|date=June 19, 2019|archivedate=June 19, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619194037/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/captain-sullenberger-sully-testifies-congress-boeing-737-max-8-airplanes-deadly-crashes/}} He sharply criticized Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration, saying that the overly "cozy relationship" between the aviation industry and government was evident in March 2019 when Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg lobbied President Donald Trump to prevent the 737 MAX 8 from being grounded.{{cite web |last1=Sullenberger |first1=Capt. "Sully" |title=Capt. Sullenberger on the FAA and Boeing: 'Our credibility as leaders in aviation is being damaged' |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/capt-sully-sullenberger-where-boeing-and-the-faa-went-wrong-in-this-ugly-saga-2019-03-19 |website=MarketWatch|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=March 23, 2021}}{{cite web|author=Collins, Kaitlan|url=https://twitter.com/kaitlancollins/status/1105536597674598401|title=Untitled|publisher=Twitter|date=March 12, 2019|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=April 4, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404234646/https://twitter.com/kaitlancollins/status/1105536597674598401

}}

File:Joe Biden & Chesley Sullenberger (49537249927).jpg at a rally in February 2020]]

In late October 2018, Sullenberger wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post ahead of the 2018 mid-term elections, calling on Americans to vote "for leaders who are committed to the values that will unite and protect us,"{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/30/politics/chesley-sullenberger-washington-post-op-ed/index.html |title='Miracle on the Hudson' pilot: 'The fabric of our nation is under attack' |last=Cole |first=Devan |date=2018-10-30 |work=CNN |access-date=2018-11-04 |df=dmy-all}} who have a "moral compass ... competence, integrity, and concern for the greater good."{{Cite news |last=Ross |first=Martha |date=2018-10-30 |title='Sully' Sullenberger slams 'cowardly, complicit' leaders hurting America in get-out-the-vote op-ed |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/10/30/sully-sullenberger-slams-cowardly-complicit-leaders-hurting-america-in-get-out-the-vote-op-ed/ |access-date=2018-11-04 |work=The Mercury News |location=San Jose, California |language=en-US |df=dmy-all}} In a subsequent interview with Lawrence O'Donnell, Sullenberger elaborated his position, discussing his belief that voters should act as a check and balance in a partisan government.{{cite AV media |publisher=MSNBC |title=Capt. Sullenberger: Vote against GOP control |department=The Last Word |date=2018-11-03 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHRiEjJgjps |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/EHRiEjJgjps |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|medium=video |via=YouTube |access-date=2018-11-04 |df=dmy-all}}{{cbignore}} He also wrote that he has been a registered Republican for the majority of his adult life but has "always voted as an American".{{Cite web|last=Gstalter|first=Morgan|date=2018-10-29|title=Pilot 'Sully' Sullenberger: 'This is not the America I know and love'|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/413756-pilot-sully-sullenberger-this-is-not-the-america-i-know-and/|access-date=2020-10-13|website=TheHill|language=en}}

In February 2020, Sullenberger endorsed former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden for the presidency.{{cite news |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/sullenberger-joins-joe-biden-at-henderson-rally-video-1958233/ |title=Sullenberger joins Joe Biden at Henderson rally |date=February 14, 2020 |newspaper=Las Vegas Review Journal |access-date=February 21, 2020}} In September 2020, he worked with Vote Vets and The Lincoln Project to create a commercial urging Americans to vote President Donald Trump out of office.{{cite AV media |publisher=The Lincoln Project |title=Our Moment |date=2020-09-29 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mzcW0zUSKg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/9mzcW0zUSKg |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|medium=video |via=YouTube |access-date=2020-10-01 |df=dmy-all}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |last1=Grzeszczak |first1=Jocelyn |title=Lincoln Project, Captain Sully and Vote Vets drop blistering Trump attack ad ahead of first presidential debate |url=https://www.newsweek.com/lincoln-project-captain-sully-vote-vets-drop-blistering-trump-attack-ad-ahead-first-presidential-1535007 |website=Newsweek |access-date=29 September 2020 |language=en |date=29 September 2020}}{{cite web|title='Sully' Sullenberger, Takes On Trump In New TV AD|url=https://lincolnproject.us/news/our-moment/|website=Lincoln Project|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004000713/https://lincolnproject.us/news/our-moment/|url-status=dead}}

On June 15, 2021, President Biden nominated Sullenberger to be the U.S. representative to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), with the rank of ambassador.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-15/biden-picks-pilot-sullenberger-morgan-stanley-s-nides-as-envoys |title=Biden Picks Morgan Stanley's Nides, Pilot 'Sully' as Envoys |first1=Justin |last1=Sink |first2=Nancy |last2=Cook |publisher=Bloomberg News|date=June 15, 2021 |access-date=June 16, 2021 }} He was confirmed by the Senate via voice vote on December 2, 2021.{{cite web |title=PN737 — C.B. Sullenberger III — Department of State 117th Congress (2021-2022) |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/737?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22sullenberger%22%5D%7D&s=1&r=1 |website=US Congress | date=2 December 2021 |access-date=9 June 2023}}{{Cite news|last=Shepardson|first=David|date=December 3, 2021|title=U.S. confirms Sullenberger to international aviation post|language=en|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-confirms-sullenberger-international-aviation-post-2021-12-02/|access-date=December 7, 2021}} He presented his credentials to ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar Gómez on February 3, 2022,{{cite tweet|user=USAmbICAO|first=C.B.|last=Sullenberger|number=1489328728580800523|title=I'm honored to officially present my credentials to ICAO Secretary General Salazar @JCS_ICAO today in Montréal, as the new U.S. Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization @ICAO|access-date=2022-02-03}} serving until July 1, 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/24/miracle-on-the-hudson-pilot-steps-down-from-international-post.html |title='Miracle on the Hudson' pilot steps down from international post |date=2022-06-23 |website=CNBC |access-date=2022-06-27}}

Sullenberger mentioned a "short, childless" first marriage in his memoir. He married fitness instructor Lorraine "Lorrie" Henry in 1989.{{Cite web |title=When Sully Came to Town |url=https://www.laketexoma.com/news--lake-life--When-Sully-Came-to-Town/8047 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=LakeTexoma.com |language=en}} They adopted two daughters, Kate and Kelly.{{cite web |last=Kazmi| first = Sophia| title = Wife of Danville pilot says 'This is the Sully I know'| work = San Jose Mercury News |date=January 16, 2009| url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&p_theme=sj&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=headline,lead(experienced%20pilot)%20AND%20date(1/14/2009%20to%201/16/2009)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=1/14/2009%20to%201/16/2009)&p_field_advanced-0=title&p_text_advanced-0=(%22experienced%20pilot%22%29&p_bool_advanced-1=OR&p_field_advanced-1=Lead&p_text_advanced-1=(%22experienced%20pilot%22%29&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no |access-date=August 19, 2009}}{{Cite book|title=Highest Duty: my search for what really matters|last=Sullenberger|first=Chesley|year=2009|chapter=Chapter 5 The gift of girls}}{{cite news |last = Moore |first = Matthew |title = New York plane crash pilot Chesley B. Sullenberger III: Committed to air safety| work = The Telegraph|date = January 16, 2009| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/4250935/New-York-plane-crash-pilot-Chesley-B.-Sullenberger-III-Committed-to-air-safety.html| access-date =January 16, 2009}}{{subscription required}}

On December 7, 1995, Sullenberger's father died by suicide by gunshot shortly after he was released from the hospital following major surgery. He had been suffering from depression and a long and difficult convalescence. As a result of this, Sullenberger became a suicide prevention activist, having promoted National Suicide Prevention Week and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

File:Marines meet 'Miracle on the Hudson' pilot 141205-D-RT812-009.jpg

Radio personality Garrison Keillor wrote "Pilot Song: The Ballad of Chesley Sullenberger III" for the January 17, 2009, edition of his radio variety show A Prairie Home Companion.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.harvard.edu/doc/2009/01/18/in-the-likely-event-of-a-water-landing/|author=Searls, Doc|title= In the likely event of a water landing|publisher=Harvard University|date=January 18, 2009|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=October 25, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025063951/http://blogs.harvard.edu/doc/2009/01/18/in-the-likely-event-of-a-water-landing/}}

Sullenberger's speech before Congress concerning U.S. civil aviation is featured in Michael Moore's 2009 documentary Capitalism: A Love Story.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-sep-23-et-capitalism23-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Turan, Kenneth|title=Capitalism: A Love Story|date=September 23, 2009|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926030916/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-sep-23-et-capitalism23-story.html}}

Sullenberger is referenced in the 2011 romantic comedy film Friends with Benefits. Throughout the film, Justin Timberlake's character repeatedly suggests to people he meets aboard planes that modern airplanes practically fly themselves, and that Sullenberger's feat was less impressive than it was portrayed, an idea for which he encounters incredulity and hostility. Mila Kunis's character is seen reading Sullenberger's English Wikipedia article.Soergel, Matt (July 22, 2011). [http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/matt-soergel/2011-07-22/story/movie-review-mila-kunis-justin-timberlake-make-friends "Movie Review: Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake make 'Friends with Benefits' work"]. The Florida Times-Union.Urbancich, John M. (July 27, 2011). [http://www.cleveland.com/sun/intermission/index.ssf/2011/07/post_117.html "Obvious 'Benefits' to these spicy friends"]. Cleveland.com.{{cite web|author=Orndorf, Brian|date=July 22, 2011|url=http://www.darkhorizons.com/reviews/1189/friends-with-benefits|title=Friends with Benefits|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524115645/http://www.darkhorizons.com/reviews/1189/friends-with-benefits|archivedate=May 24, 2012|publisher=Dark Horizons}}

The 2010 song "A Real Hero", by French electronica artist College and the band Electric Youth, is in part inspired by Captain Sullenberger and Flight 1549. Frontman Austin Garrick was inspired to write the song by his grandfather, whose reference to Sullenberger as "a real human being and a real hero" became the song's refrain.{{cite web|author=O'Connell, Mikey|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/drive-soundtrack-captain-sully-254349|title=Drive' Song Inspired by Captain Sully Sullenberger and 'Mad Max' (Video)|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=27 October 2011 |access-date=May 23, 2021}}

In 2010, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, and Steve Carell released a comedy record called Everybody's Talking 'Bout Sully.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/14879759-Stephen-Jon-Steven-Everybodys-Talking-Bout-Sully|title=Stephen, Jon & Steven - Everybody's Talking 'Bout Sully|access-date=9 February 2022|website=Discogs.com|date=21 October 2010 }}

"Hudson River Runway", the March 14, 2011, episode of the TV series Mayday, documents the events around Flight 1549's emergency landing and includes interviews with several of its real-life participants. Sullenberger was not interviewed, but was portrayed in reenactments by actor Christopher Britton.{{cite episode | series=Air Crash Investigation | title=Hudson River Runway | season=10 | number=5 | network=Discovery Channel|airdate=March 14, 2011}}

Sullenberger is invited to the Smith household in season 7 of American Dad! He is featured In the episode The Unbrave One, Stan Smith using Sully as an example of a hero.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/american-dad!/season-7/episode-8-the-unbrave-one/|title=The Unbrave One|date=January 8, 2012|access-date=April 11, 2025|website=metacritic.com|publisher=Metacritic}}

The 2016 Oscar-nominated dramatic feature film Sully was adapted from Sullenberger's memoir Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters. Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks as Sullenberger and Aaron Eckhart as Skiles, it recreates the events around the Hudson River landing.{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/clint-eastwoods-next-movie-revealed-799151|title=Clint Eastwood's Next Movie Revealed: Capt. "Sully" Sullenberger Tale (Exclusive)|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|date=June 2, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{cite web|last=Ford|first=Rebecca|title=Aaron Eckhart Joins Tom Hanks in Sully Sullenberger Movie (Exclusive)|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/aaron-eckhart-joins-tom-hanks-814613|date=August 11, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=August 11, 2015}}

Sullenberger appeared as himself in a cameo role in the 2017 film Daddy's Home 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.bcheights.com/2017/11/25/daddys-home-2-sires-terrible-christmas-comedy/|title='Daddy's Home 2' Sires Another Terrible Christmas Comedy|author=Schick, Jacob|newspaper=The Heights|publisher=Boston College|date=November 25, 2017|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=November 26, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126080357/https://www.bcheights.com/2017/11/25/daddys-home-2-sires-terrible-christmas-comedy/}}

In season five, episode seven of the NBC comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine titled "Two Turkeys," (aired November 21, 2017) the character Jake Peralta's (portrayed by Andy Samberg) father Roger Peralta (portrayed by Bradley Whitford), a pilot, claims to have flown with Sullenberger. Later on, the character Amy Santiago's (portrayed by Melissa Fumero) father Victor Santiago (portrayed by Jimmy Smits) drunkenly tells a nurse that Roger Peralta taught Sullenberger how to fly. {{Citation |last=Reid |first=Alex |title=Two Turkeys |date=2017-11-21 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7604970/?ref_=ttep_ep7 |access-date=2023-07-10 |series=Brooklyn Nine-Nine |others=Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews}}

President George H. W. Bush's service dog Sully, who was assigned to Bush in June 2018 after the death of former First Lady Barbara Bush, was named after Sullenberger,{{cite web|author=Rod, Marc|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/25/politics/george-hw-bush-dog-sully/index.html|title=George HW Bush enlists help of new service dog Sully|publisher=CNN|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=June 26, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626012302/https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/25/politics/george-hw-bush-dog-sully/index.html}} and remained with the former president after Bush's November 2018 death, accompanying Bush's casket for its return to Washington, D.C.{{cite web|author=Gangel, Jamie; Sullivan, Kate|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/02/politics/sully-hw-bush-41/index.html?no-st=1551726981|title=Sully the service dog accompanies Bush one last time|publisher=CNN|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=December 3, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203035957/https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/02/politics/sully-hw-bush-41/index.html}}

Sullenberger is featured in the 2020 pilot of the Fox animated TV series Duncanville.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/duncanville-review/|author=Bell, Josh|publisher=CBR.com|title=Duncanville Is a Mediocre Addition to Fox's Animated Lineup|date=February 15, 2020|access-date=March 1, 2021|archive-date=February 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216134622/https://www.cbr.com/duncanville-review/}}

Sullenberger is featured in the 2021 Family Guy episode And Then There's Fraud. Quagmire buys a pilot's hat thinking it is Sullenberger's, having Sullenberger sign it at the end of the episode.{{cite web|url=https://readysteadycut.com/2021/03/01/family-guy-season-19-episode-12-and-then-theres-fraud-recap/|title=Family Guy season 19, episode 12 recap – “And Then There’s Fraud”|last=Wilson|first=Jonathon|date=March 1, 2021|website=readysteadycut.com|access-date=April 11, 2025}}

Sullenberger appeared in the 2022 documentary film Downfall: The Case Against Boeing.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/downfall-the-case-against-boeing-review-1235164613/ |title='Downfall: The Case Against Boeing' Review: Damning Aviation Doc Feeds Your Fear of Flying |last=Kennedy |first=Lisa |website=Variety |date=January 26, 2022 |access-date=March 6, 2022}}

In the second season of the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary, episode 6 features teacher Gregory Eddie dressed up as Sullenberger for Halloween.{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/abbott-elementary-season-2-episode-6-recap-candy-zombies.html|last=Okantah|first=Ile-Ife|title=Abbott Elementary Season 2, Episode 6 Recap|website=Vulture |date=October 27, 2022 |access-date=May 2, 2023}}

In the third episode of the second season of HBO's The Rehearsal, Nathan Fielder portrays a fictional version of Sullenberger throughout his life.{{cite web|last=Alter|first=Rebecca|date=May 5, 2025 |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/nathan-fielder-the-rehearsal-sully-sullenberger.html|title=Nathan Fielder Made a Better Sully Biopic Than Sully|website=Vulture|access-date=May 5, 2025|archive-date=May 5, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250505135451/https://www.vulture.com/article/nathan-fielder-the-rehearsal-sully-sullenberger.html}}

• List of accidents and incidents involving commercial aircraft
• Living Legends of Aviation
• Tadeusz Wrona
• Tammie Jo Shults

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.sullysullenberger.com Sullenberger's official website]
• [https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR1003.pdf US Airways Flight 1549 NTSB report]
• [http://www.harrywalker.com/speakers/sully-sullenberger/ Harry Walker Agency] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913061023/http://www.harrywalker.com/speakers/sully-sullenberger/ |date=2017-09-13 }}; Sullenberger's speaker agency
• [https://www.harpercollins.com/author/cr-112555/chesley-b-sullenberger-iii/ Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger, III]. HarperCollins
• {{cite web| title = Safety Reliability Methods, Inc.: About us| publisher = Safety Reliability Methods, Inc| year = 2007| url = http://safetyreliability.com/about_us|url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090118124522/http://safetyreliability.com/about_us| archive-date = January 18, 2009}}
• {{YouTube|user=sullysullenberger|title=Sully Sullenberger}}
• {{C-SPAN|9275502}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090210073449/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/08/60minutes/main4783580.shtml 60 Minutes interview with Captain Sullenberger (requires subscription)]
• Riley, Duncan (January 15, 2009). [http://www.inquisitr.com/15441/a320-pilot-chesley-sullenbergers-other-jobs-accident-investigator-and-safety-lecturer/ "A320 Pilot Chesley Sullenberger's Other Jobs: Accident Investigator and Safety Lecturer"]. TheInquisitr. Retrieved January 16, 2009.
• [https://twitter.com/i/moments/1085654956458225666 Twitter Moment - Sullenberger's recollections of Flight 1549], ten years on

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