<P> The pilot in command was 57 - year - old Chesley B. `` Sully '' Sullenberger , a former fighter pilot who had been an airline pilot since leaving the United States Air Force in 1980 . At the time , he had logged 19,663 total flight hours , including 4,765 in an A320 ; he was also a glider pilot and expert on aviation safety . First officer Jeffrey B. Skiles , 49 , had accrued 15,643 career flight hours , but this was his first Airbus A320 assignment since qualifying to fly it . There were 150 passengers and three flight attendants aboard . </P>
<P> The pilot in command was 57 - year - old Chesley B. `` Sully '' Sullenberger , a former fighter pilot who had been an airline pilot since leaving the United States Air Force in 1980 . At the time , he had logged 19,663 total flight hours , including 4,765 in an A320 ; he was also a glider pilot and expert on aviation safety . First officer Jeffrey B. Skiles , 49 , had accrued 15,643 career flight hours , but this was his first Airbus A320 assignment since qualifying to fly it . There were 150 passengers and three flight attendants aboard . </P>
who landed a plane on the hudson river
who landed a plane on the hudson river
Chesley B. `` Sully '' Sullenberger
Chesley B. `` Sully '' Sullenberger