ICAO Is The United Nations’ Air Safety Organization

The US Senate has confirmed the nomination of C. B. “Sully” Sullenberger III to be the U.S. representative on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who along with fellow “Miracle on the Hudson” pilot Jeff Skiles, became instantly known on January 15, 2009, when they successfully landed an airliner on the Hudson River following a complete loss of engine power after the aircraft struck a flock of geese. All 155 people on board were safely rescued from the river in an incident that quickly became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

The ICAO is the United Nations’ air safety organization with a mission to serve as a global forum for international civil aviation.

General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President and CEO, Pete Bunce, released the following statement regarding the confirmation of U.S. Ambassador Sullenberger:

“GAMA congratulates U.S. Ambassador Sullenberger on his confirmation. ICAO plays an essential role in advancing international aviation safety and cooperation, environmental sustainability and global interoperability of aviation products that will shape the future of the industry. As a military and civil aviator, Ambassador Sullenberger has decades of experience with aerospace technological innovation and knows the vital role these advancements play in making global aviation safer as well as aircraft and airspace operations more efficient. We are confident that Ambassador Sullenberger will be a very effective representative on these critical issues and will be a strong addition to ICAO.

Sullenberger is also EAA Lifetime 1011839, who along with fellow “Miracle on the Hudson” pilot Jeff Skiles, EAA Lifetime 336120, served as EAA Young Eagles co-chairman for four years. They served as Young Eagles co-chairmen from 2009 until 2013, promoting EAA’s youth aviation program that has flown more than 2.2 million kids since its introduction in 1992. Their leadership helped bring additional visibility to the Young Eagles flights conducted by volunteer EAA-member pilots.

“Captain Sullenberger has used the spotlight that was thrust upon him in 2009 to advocate vigorously for aviation safety, as well as using his role to encourage young people to discover aviation through his work with Young Eagles,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman o f the Board. “We congratulate him on his confirmation to this important position of representing the United States in the international forum supporting aviation around the globe.”

FMI: www.whitehouse.gov