Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, EAA Lifetime 1011839, who along with fellow “Miracle on the Hudson” pilot Jeff Skiles, EAA Lifetime 336120, served as EAA Young Eagles co-chairman for four years, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the U.S. representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ICAO is the United Nations’ air safety organization with a mission to serve as a global forum for international civil aviation.
“Captain Sullenberger has used the spotlight that was thrust upon him in 2009 to advocate vigorously for aviation safety, as well as using his role to encourage young people to discover aviation through his work with Young Eagles,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and chairman of the board. “We congratulate him on his confirmation to this important position of representing the United States in the international forum supporting aviation around the globe.”
Sullenberger and Skiles served as Young Eagles co-chairmen from 2009 until 2013, promoting EAA’s youth aviation program that has flown more than 2.2 million kids since its introduction in 1992. Their leadership helped bring additional visibility to the Young Eagles flights conducted by volunteer EAA member pilots.
The two men became instantly known on January 15, 2009, when they successfully landed an airliner on the Hudson River following a complete loss of engine power after the aircraft struck a flock of geese. All 155 people on board were safely rescued from the river in an incident that quickly became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”
