Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skiles, the pilots of US Airways Flight 1549 – the “Miracle on the Hudson” flight – have agreed to chair EAA’s Young Eagles program. They take over from actor/pilot Harrison Ford who has chaired the program for the past five years. Previous Young Eagles chairmen have included actor/pilot Cliff Robertson and legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager. Since its inception in 1992, the Young Eagles program has been responsible for more than 1.5 million young people experiencing their first flights. Young Eagle flights are donated by pilots and aircraft owners/operators, and the youngsters receive a Young Eagles flight certificate. At a ceremony announcing the changeover in leadership, Harrison Ford said, “I’ve stressed the program’s message of earned reward, showing young people that by disciplining and applying themselves they can earn marvelous rewards, such as the freedom and thrill of flight … Now, Sully and Jeff will add emphasis on the value of training, preparation and teamwork. No one could bring more credibility in sharing these concepts with our youth.” Minutes after taking off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, Sullenberger and Skiles executed a successful water landing on the Hudson River after both engines of their Airbus A320 were disabled by a collision with Canada geese.
Sullenberger and Skiles to Co-chair EAA’s Young Eagles Program
Key Takeaways:
- Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skiles, pilots of the "Miracle on the Hudson," have been appointed to chair EAA's Young Eagles program.
- They succeed actor/pilot Harrison Ford, who chaired the program for the past five years.
- The Young Eagles program, active since 1992, has provided first flights to over 1.5 million young people, with flights donated by pilots.
- Sullenberger and Skiles will focus on the value of training, preparation, and teamwork, drawing credibility from their successful emergency water landing.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
