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Famous Name in Aviation Literature Addresses Hudson Ditching

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Key Takeaways:

  • A new book by William Langewiesche, titled *Fly By Wire*, examines the details of the "Miracle on the Hudson" ditching.
  • Langewiesche's book attributes some credit for the successful outcome of Flight 1549 to the Airbus A320's fly-by-wire control system.
  • Flight 1549 copilot Jeff Skiles remained noncommittal when asked if fly-by-wire contributed to the incident's successful resolution.
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In 1944, his father, Wolfgang, wrote the definitive text on seat-of-pants flying, Stick & Rudder. Now, William Langewiesche has published a book examining details of the Miracle on the Hudson ditching. In his new book, Fly By Wire: The Geese, the Glide and the “Miracle” on the Hudson, the younger Langewiesche (who is an accomplished aviation writer, himself) cedes some of the credit to the Airbus A320 fly-by-wire control system. When asked at this year’s EAA AirVenture if he thought fly-by-wire contributed to the successful outcome of Flight 1549, copilot Jeff Skiles merely shrugged his shoulder noncommittally.

Mark Phelps

Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

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