We all know I am an über-aviation nerd.

I have spent the last 7 years teaching myself how to fly using a simulator, longing for the day in which I can responsibly afford to go get my own pilots license.

I love going to airports. I used to just sit at the end of the runway at LAX, have some In 'N Out burger and watch the planes come in.

I will volunteer to drive to the airport for anyone, at anytime.

I also spend way too much time at airliners.net.

I am going to let you in on one of my deepest secrets - of which I am sure you will laugh at. I have a hero fantasy. But every man desires to be hero, right? Mine just focuses on aviation. It goes like this...

I am on a plane. For some reasons both pilots become incapacitated to fly. Terrorist event would be the best since that would make me a "national" hero in the end - but I'll let anything suffice. Of course, the pilots wouldn't die in said fantasy. Some how we get control of the plane back from the terrorists, but the pilots still aren't able to fly. With no one able to fly, I of course jump to the opportunity. Air traffic control of course wants me to land at the nearest airport, but I say neigh, I am continuing on to the destination (which happens to be LAX) because I am more comfortable landing there since I have situational awareness. I navigate across the country, get her lined up on ILS, and put her down a bit too hard, but safe nonetheless.

I think if it were perfectly clear weather, with no crosswind, and no problems with the aircraft, and auto-pilot worked, and there was ILS at the runway there is about a 47.935% chance I could put the plane on the ground with no one dying.

Sounds a bit like the movie Airplane doesn't it? Ohh well. As always, have a good laugh at my expense.

But alas the only emergency landing in over 200,000 miles of flying was enroute to Fort Wayne from Atlanta on a Delta airlines flight. We diverted to Evansville. Needless to say, the pilot didn't need my help.

So it shouldn't surprise anyone that my friend Chris asked in the last blog post why I hadn't blogged on US Airways Flight 1492. Actually, it surprised me that I didn't think of it before he said something.

So get a cup of coffee this might get long. This will be the ultimate US Airways Flight 1549 blog post. If you ignore this one because it goes so far beyond my 500 word normal max, I will forgive you. But some of the video is pretty cool. Ready for take off...

First off, here is a simulated reenactment I flew on MS Flight Simulator. Exact model of the plane. The old paint scheme though. My take off was a bit too steep, but all and all, pretty close. What I find amazing is how quick the whole thing happened.


Next is the best video I have found of the landing in the water. The pilot did an amazing job (more on that later), and CNN did a good job putting this all together.


This is the best video I have found of the rescue effort. It is amazing how quickly everybody got out and the boats got to them.



The pilot - Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger truly did an amazing job. This is where pilots earn there money. Whenever I hear someone say pilots make too much money, I think to myself, sure that would be correct, if you could guarantee safe flight. But when an engine goes out, or in a crosswind landing scenario, or having to ditch in a river you'll be glad they are as professional as they are.

In addition to that, the Flight Attendants are in the same boat. Anybody can serve drinks from a cart. But it takes a true professional to be able to get hundreds of people out of four doors in under 90 seconds. FAs deserve our respect just as much as pilots do.

For all the people on 1549 - if the flight crew wasn't such professionals, this is what would have happened:

The pilot here made two very large mistakes that thankfully Sully did not. 1.) He didn't come in level. Thus one tip caught the water early causing an asymetrical force. 2.) He didn't land in deep enough water. He actually hit a sand bar. Over 80% of the people were killed on this flight. On "Sully's" flight no one died.

Planes can fly on only one engine. It is part of their certification process. Also, it isn't uncommon for their to be a problem with a plane's engine in midflight - most the time this is at cruising altitude and it can be restarted. What made 1549 such a troubling situation is that both engines - not just one - became useless at the same time. I can think of less than 10 flights in the history of flight where this has happened.

In addition to that, they became useless at a relatively low altitude. This creates a big problem in that it removes glide time. If you lose power on a plane at say 36,000 feet, I believe you can "coast" to the ground safely for around 108 miles. That should easily give a pilot enough time to find a safe runway. When you lose power at 3,000 feet, you don't have very much time to find an alternative.

Needless to say, the odds of losing both engines, at such a low altitude are extremely low - but all the more reason "Sully" did a great job piloting that aircraft.

Now on to a few of my favorite pictures from the situation.

This is a good photo screenshot showing the path, altitudes and airspeeds. It is a bit off in its location (i.e. the plane went down close to Central park, but on this map it has it's final impact further south). But you get the idea:



How would you like to survive a plane crash, exit the plane in under 90 seconds, in freezing temperatures and water, only to be greeted by another plane staring you down. I about fell out of my chair when I saw the Concorde (museum) in the background of the rescue footage.



Someone wasn't paying attention during the safety briefing. This would probably still work at keeping you afloat, but it might choke you in the process.



I think this picture really shows just how close this plane was to crashing into buildings if it weren't for the skilled hands of "Sully."


I find it a bit ironic - and some of the passengers might take issue - that FBOWeb has marked their plane's status as "landed"



And if this blog isn't long enough, I am going to throw in one more caveat. I was looking at the NYTimes Interactive Tracking of Flight 1549 and the only 20-something I found in there was Emma Sophina in 13F. Since she was in her 20s I figured she'd have a Facebook or MySpace and sure enough she does. And she is a musician.

Isn't it weird to think about how technology has changed our lives even when it comes to tragic (or potentially tragic) events. 10 years ago something like this happens and people are names in a newspaper.

Now something like this happens and they are an internet search away and you know all about them, or can listen to their music, or shoot them a message. It it one more example of how this world is a smaller place because of technology.

I find that interesting.

Plus since I like Avril and Taylor Swift, I don't think it surprises anyone that I think the music wasn't half bad.

Well, I don't think I can write anymore. If you think I missed something, please be sure to pass along. Hope you have a good time on your next flight.