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Sully Sullenberger On His Passions, Regrets, And The American Dream

Sully Sullenberger On His Passions, Regrets, And The American Dream
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Known simply as "Sully", the captain of what has been dubbed the "Miracle on the Hudson," Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, III became a household name after he famously saved the lives of 155 people aboard U.S. Airways Flight 1549 by successfully ditching the airplane in the Hudson River after it was disabled by a flock of geese.

At age 60, he is now the author of Highest Duty, a memoir of his life and of the events surrounding Flight 1549, and was ranked second in TIME Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential Heroes and Icons of 2009. The aviation safety expert and accident investigator who also is the founder and chief executive officer of Safety Reliability Methods spoke with Huff/Post 50 about his biggest accomplishments and regrets.

What's the one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you were growing up?
That I would be able to continue to grow so much and become, essentially, a late bloomer. Ironically, after four decades of lifelong learning, professionally and personally, I suddenly became an internationally-recognized public figure.

Now that you're over 50, what's the one rule you feel you can break with impunity?
Letting others define you.

What is the riskiest thing you've done in your life since you've turned 50?
I considered appearing on a reality television show – as if landing an airliner on a river wasn’t risky enough!

What ignites your creativity?
Going for a run. A change of scenery, especially outdoors, literally widens one’s perspective and frees the mind.

What social or political cause are you most passionate about?
That more of us could realize the promise of the American Dream. I have also been involved in issues of aviation safety for decades, and I now have a greater voice to be an advocate for things I’ve cared about my whole life.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
It’s not what happens to you, but what you do with it that defines your life.

What is your biggest regret?
Spending time on things that ultimately didn’t matter.

What is your biggest accomplishment?
Our daughters.

If you could say one thing to the next generation, what would it be?
Care a lot, and pay attention along the way.

If you could reincarnate as anyone or anything, what or who would it be?
An explorer - the first to reach the next frontier.

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Before You Go

Presented With Keys To New York City(01 of10)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 9: Pilot Chesley B. Sullenberger (L) of US Airways Flight 1549 holds up a key to city at City Hall, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) presented him and his fellow crew members keys to the city, on February 9, 2008 in New York City. Sullenberger executed an emergency landing on the Hudson River on January 15, saving all the passengers on board. (credit:Getty)
Chicago Cubs vs. New York Yankees(02 of10)
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NEW YORK - APRIL 04: US Airways Pilot, Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs during their game on April 4, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (credit:Getty)
Return To Cockpit Months After Hudson River Landing(03 of10)
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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 01: US Airway pilot Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger sits in the cockpit of a US Airways flight moments before take-off from LaGuardia Airport on his first official day back in the cockpit on October 1, 2009 in New York, New York. (credit:Getty)
Return To Cockpit Months After Hudson River Landing(04 of10)
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Sullenberger (R) and co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles wave from the cockpit of a US Airways flight moments before take-off from LaGuardia Airport. Sullenberger, will be back to piloting regular flights again following their emergency landing of a US Airways flight 1549 into the Hudson River after it lost power in both engines following a bird strike last January. (credit:Getty)
Capt. Sullenberger Testifies At Hearing On Airline Industry Bankruptcies(05 of10)
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WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 16: U.S. Airways Capt. Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger III prepares to testify before the House Judiciary Committee's Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee on Capitol Hill December 16, 2009 in Washington, DC. Representing the U.S. Airline Pilots Association (USAPA), Sullenberger testified about the vulnerability of employees, including pilots, when airlines declare bankruptcy. (credit:Getty)
121st Annual Tournament Of Roses Parade(06 of10)
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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Tournament of Roses Parade Grand Marshal Airline pilot Chelsey B. Sullenberger III participates in the 121st Annual Tournament of Roses parade on January 1, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (credit:Getty)
121st Annual Tournament Of Roses Parade(07 of10)
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Sullenberger and wife Lorrie Sullenberger. (credit:Getty)
Premiere Screening Of TLC's "Brace For Impact"(08 of10)
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NEW YORK - JANUARY 05: Captain Chesley B. 'Sully' Sullenberger III attends the premiere of 'Brace for Impact', a one-hour documentary about his Hudson River landing, at the Walter Reade Theater on January 5, 2010 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
The French Legion Of Honor Presents Chesley Sullenberger With The Officier Award(09 of10)
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WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: Pierre Vimont and Chesley Sullenberger pose for a photo during a presentation which saw Sullenberger receive the Officer Award at the French Ambassador's Residence on December 17, 2010 in Washington, DC. (credit:Getty)
CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute - Arrivals(10 of10)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 11: Captain Chesley 'Scully' Sullenberger attend the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at The Shrine Auditorium on December 11, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (credit:Getty)
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