Since retiring as an airline pilot, Sullenberger, a former Air Force fighter pilot, has worked as a public speaker on aviation safety.

Why did Sully stop flying?

To get the water landing right and not end in disaster, pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger had to bring Flight 1549 down at the perfect speed and angle. If the nose was angled up too high, the fuselage would take too much of the impact and the plane would break in half.

Did Sully get cleared?

It soon hit a flock of migrating Canada geese and both engines shut down. But Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger was able to successfully glide the plane to rest on the surface of the Hudson River. Passengers got wet, but all survived, with no serious injuries.