Slog
News & ArtsFriday, January 16, 2009
News Was God His Co-Pilot?
Posted by Dan Savage on Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 4:06 PM
The praise heaped on Chesley B. Sullenberger III, the pilot of the plane that landed in the Hudson yesterday, is absolutely deserved—but was he flying the plane alone? Or did Sullenberger have a co-pilot? I don't know anything about flying planes, but that "God is my co-pilot" bumper sticker wouldn't make any sense if the co-pilot gets no credit for a safe and successful flight, right?
Was there a co-pilot on US Airways 1549? Has he or she been mentioned anywhere?
6
Yeah, I could've Googled him—I've heard about Google. I was just wondering if anyone had heard anyone talking about the existence of a co-pilot. I've been listening to people talk about this flight, and the hero/pilot, for more than 24 hours, and so far haven't heard anyone mention a co-pilot -- until now.
7
Here's an idea...
Instead of the childish rant on the slog, why not investigate this. Do a follow up story on what a good job the whole crew did, not just Captain Sullenberger. Why not show divulge that Airline Pilots are held to a higher standard than even board certified surgeons?
Contact Jim Olson, VP of Corporate communicatins at US Airways.
http://usairways.com/awa/content/aboutus…
This is the reason why Papers such as the PI go down in flames, simple things like fact checking...
Instead of the childish rant on the slog, why not investigate this. Do a follow up story on what a good job the whole crew did, not just Captain Sullenberger. Why not show divulge that Airline Pilots are held to a higher standard than even board certified surgeons?
Contact Jim Olson, VP of Corporate communicatins at US Airways.
http://usairways.com/awa/content/aboutus…
This is the reason why Papers such as the PI go down in flames, simple things like fact checking...
11
On the news this morning they talked about him a little. Just saw it briefly while at the gym, so he is not being totally ignored.
13
Well, there was a stewardess giving him a blow job at the time, but I guess they felt it best not to mention that.
14
An interesting source of info on all things airline related is Salon's "Ask the Pilot" column, where commercial pilot Patrick Smith addresses this very issue.
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2009…
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2009…
16
I'm thinking the co-pilot gave the "prepare for impact" alert to the passengers. Other than that, he gets a blue ribbon for holding his bowels during the whole ordeal.
18
Good Question. Here's a quote from a 2003 accident investigation of a plane that hit a flock of geese at LaGuardia, lost an engine, and landed at JFK:
Since neither the captain nor first officer has talked to the media, it's possible that the captain was not flying the airplane.
The crew declared an emergency with air traffic control (ATC), and the captain proceeded with the emergency checklists while the first officer flew the airplane.
Since neither the captain nor first officer has talked to the media, it's possible that the captain was not flying the airplane.
19
For all intents and purposes, the two share an equal role in this situation. Captain and first officer duties are assigned on a rotational basis and either is capable of, and does perform, piloting duties. Oh, and anyone who ever again says that jetliners 'fly themselves' should have this story rubbed in their faces forever.
21
The co-pilot was mentioned in the first online article I read about the crash. I don't remember the source (probably Yahoo/AP wire), but he was mentioned, although I don't think they said anything more than his name.
22
The co-pilot had the fish and he was back in the cabin having some old white lady talk jive at him.
23
It was a disgruntled American co-pilot nicknamed "Cactus Jack" who described the role of a co-pilot as "not worth a bucket of warm piss". Sure, I may be wrong about this but what the hell I'm putting it on the internet anyways!
25
I'm relieved, but amazed, everyone got out safely. Watching the people in the rows in front of you exit a plane under normal circumstances, you'd never guess this would be the case.
32
Mistermix at 18 and Laterite at 19 have it. All commercial airliners are required to have a pilot and copilot. Until about 15 or 20 years ago all heavy airliners were also required to have a flight engineer.
Flying an airliner isn't like driving a goddamn car down the freeway. Driving a car is easy: You just point the thing in the general direction of the pavement, and stay reasonably within the lines and you will get to your destination.
An airliner is complex, and there are a ton of things to keep track of. Radios have to be tuned to certain frequencies, certain things have to occur as certain airspeeds are reached, fuel must be managed, engine controls must be managed.
Imagine how difficult it'd be to drive your car if a) you couldn't see the road, b) you had to control the fuel pump and select which of about eight tanks to draw fuel from and c) you had to read a map and follow instructions from an air traffic controller the whole time.
Now throw in an emergency such as a bird strike or engine failure.
A well-coordinated flight deck crew will identify the situation, select the appropriate action, follow the correct checklist, and cooperate to execute the proper maneuvers.
Geez. Watch a couple old "Airport" movies to see how it's done.
Flying an airliner isn't like driving a goddamn car down the freeway. Driving a car is easy: You just point the thing in the general direction of the pavement, and stay reasonably within the lines and you will get to your destination.
An airliner is complex, and there are a ton of things to keep track of. Radios have to be tuned to certain frequencies, certain things have to occur as certain airspeeds are reached, fuel must be managed, engine controls must be managed.
Imagine how difficult it'd be to drive your car if a) you couldn't see the road, b) you had to control the fuel pump and select which of about eight tanks to draw fuel from and c) you had to read a map and follow instructions from an air traffic controller the whole time.
Now throw in an emergency such as a bird strike or engine failure.
A well-coordinated flight deck crew will identify the situation, select the appropriate action, follow the correct checklist, and cooperate to execute the proper maneuvers.
Geez. Watch a couple old "Airport" movies to see how it's done.
33
Dr_Awesome has it. And so does Yahoo Answers!
"The co-pilot, or the politically correct term First Officer, is the second in command (SIC) on an aircraft requiring two or more pilots. The co-pilot is fully qualified to fly and operate the aircraft and in most airline operations the Captain (PIC) and First Officer rotate pilot flying (PF) and pilot non flying (PNF) duties every-other leg they fly. For instance the Captain may fly from Chicago to New York, while the First Officer runs checklists and works the radios. Then on the return to Chicago the First Officer will fly while the Captain runs checkists and works the radios. The First Officer however is not required to hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, only a Commercial Pilot Certificate."
"The co-pilot, or the politically correct term First Officer, is the second in command (SIC) on an aircraft requiring two or more pilots. The co-pilot is fully qualified to fly and operate the aircraft and in most airline operations the Captain (PIC) and First Officer rotate pilot flying (PF) and pilot non flying (PNF) duties every-other leg they fly. For instance the Captain may fly from Chicago to New York, while the First Officer runs checklists and works the radios. Then on the return to Chicago the First Officer will fly while the Captain runs checkists and works the radios. The First Officer however is not required to hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, only a Commercial Pilot Certificate."
34
The hero is a well trained human, skilled and competent, who used all those qualitites to save lives at his chosen craft and science
three cheers wherever we see that happen
in this case, simply amazing skills, demeanor, and perfect decision making
yes, yes, if only his clone had been running the Katrina Fiasco ...... and looks like Poe's type .....
three cheers wherever we see that happen
in this case, simply amazing skills, demeanor, and perfect decision making
yes, yes, if only his clone had been running the Katrina Fiasco ...... and looks like Poe's type .....
35
Along the lines of Dan's original question, yes, people have mentioned not only the co-pilot, but the flight crew. Prairie Home Companion did a song today that included not only the co-pilot's name but the flight attendant's as well. All Things Considered today made a special point to mention the other four (co-pilot and three attendants) as well.
36
Off the subject, but I wonder if everyone left everything behind as instructed, or if a couple of people snuck their laptops/purses off the plane.
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