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2009-01-20 -Short Attention Span Theater-

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Posted by Steve White 2009-01-20 00:00|| || Front Page|| [7 views ] Top

#1 In the article they hit upon the ultimate responsibility of the pilot-in-command:

ut in addition to basic flying skills, the ditching also underscores another factor pilots should consider in surviving such emergencies: the need to quickly choose a course of action, even if it goes against normal procedures. Barely 30 seconds after his aircraft hit the birds and lost nearly all thrust from both engines, the captain disregarded the advice of air-traffic controllers and decided that ditching in the Hudson was the best option.

In the FARs, the pilot-in-command may break any FAA regulation in an emergency for the safety of the aircraft and its passengers and crew. He just better be ready to justify it on the ground after the incident.

Capt. Sullenberger was the epitome of good airmanship and good judgement.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2009-01-20 00:42|| 2009-01-20 00:42|| Front Page Top

#2 I wonder what the controllers had in mind as an option. And how long they were going to wait before they divulged it.

Posted by gorb 2009-01-20 02:55|| 2009-01-20 02:55|| Front Page Top

#3 Other stories suggested that they were considering

Returning to LaGuardia Airport, and

Continuing to Teterboro Airport in NJ.

Posted by Eric Jablow">Eric Jablow 2009-01-20 06:50|| 2009-01-20 06:50|| Front Page Top

#4 He knew more than the controllers and has more airtime then they have/had. Teterboro could not accept a 320 - no runway allowance plus I doubt he could maintain glide path long enough. La Guardia puts him in glide path back over highly congested population in Bronx and Queens. It was correct decision even in hindsight. But if had lost lives then there would be tons of second guessing.

Posted by Jack is Back">Jack is Back 2009-01-20 11:08|| 2009-01-20 11:08|| Front Page Top

#5 No matter the outcome, Capt Sullenberger was the aircraft COMMANDER. No time for consensus building or a poll. Second guessing by controllers (gummit workers) from the safety of control towers doesn't pass the so what test. There really is no substitute for solid experience, skill, and professionalism.

Posted by Besoeker 2009-01-20 11:35|| 2009-01-20 11:35|| Front Page Top

#6 Those passengers are alive because Sulley trusted himself enough to know where to go and to ignore the tower; now if he had waited for some order to come back from the tower and trusted it blindly...

Posted by swksvolFF 2009-01-20 21:37|| 2009-01-20 21:37|| Front Page Top

#7 Now, compare that with that American Airline idiot flying over Cuba(true story).

A huge cell loom ahead straddling the airway.

He asked for a deviation right or left of course.
At 3am, the Coo-ban controller is sound asleep,
most likely drunk.After a dozen frantic calls
without answer, the 787 enter the cell and cross
it square in the middle. No, they did not rip a wing off, but quite a few pax got broken legs and things for hitting the ceiling then the floor...

That loopdeloop cost AA quite a few millions.

All the dummy had to do is go around, but he had heard that a few Miami Cubans had been shot down
in a little plane for violating Cuban airspace.
More likely, the Mig they could have sent up
would have got up there only AFTER everyone would have cleared custom in Mi-djamah...

Lot of that crap happened when AA purchased southern routes from bankrupt Eastern or PanAm, I forgot which, but down there, you dont always
have ATC holding your hand...first they dont speak english and it's mostly bush flying
as all facilities stopped working long ago.

You hop on that big plane, don't assume it's always a genius up front, you better kiss your ass goodbye first!!!

Posted by Ming the Merciless 2009-01-20 22:37|| www.darthprophet.com]">[www.darthprophet.com] 2009-01-20 22:37|| Front Page Top

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