Hero Pilot Gives NASA Safety Tips

When it comes to astronauts, NASA is all about safety but the space agency was not above taking some pointers this week from hero pilot Capt. Chesley ?Sully? Sullenberger, who made headlines when he landed his U.S. Airways passenger jet in New York?s Hudson River last year.

Sullenberger spoke to astronauts and employees of NASA?s Johnson Space Center in Houston at the request of the center?s Safety and Mission Assurance Office. He also got a chance to tour the center?s space shuttle flight simulators and speak with astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

On Jan. 15, 2009, Sullenberger was at the helm of an Airbus A320 that took off from New York City?s La Guardia Airport en route for Charlotte, N.C. The jetliner was carrying five crewmembers and 150 passengers when it hit a large flock of birds just five minutes after takeoff, damaging the engines and forcing Sullenberger to land the plane in the Hudson River.

Sullenberger and his crew have been lauded ever since for their actions, which brought all 155 people aboard to safety.

Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi told Sullenberger that it was an honor to speak with the hero pilot from space.

?We actually watched the news the other day and saw you on the float for the Rose Parade,? said Noguchi, who represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on the station?s five-man crew.?

Sullenberger was Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade on Jan. 1 and tossed the opening coin before the kickoff of the 96th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, Calif.

?This has been a real surreal year for us and this is yet another wonderful opportunity that we thought we?d never have,? Sullenberger radioed the space station crew from Mission Control.

Sullenberger marveled at how astronauts in space can get any work accomplished at all, given the view of Earth 220 miles down below.

?If it were me, I think I would have my face up against the glass for quite a while and have a hard time doing any usable work,? he told the astronauts, who thanked him for his service and praise.

During his talk at NASA, Sullenberger attributed the safe landing of his crew and passengers on that fateful day last year to proper training, communication and a steadfast belief in each other. Safety, he added, plays a role in every culture and hinges on individuals acting with integrity.

Sullenberger added that the American space program has a special place in his heart, one that dates back to his childhood.

?My father let me stay home from school and watch the Mercury flights,? he said. ?I have a great appreciation for what NASA does, but it?s amazing to me now to know the lengths I had to go to get an invitation to speak here.?

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