To any of you that have ever flown a bonafide flying boat (Grumman Goose/Mallard, Lake Buccaneer/Renegade) you'll know what porposing is. For those unfamiliar with this phenomenon its the aircraft pitching up and down and getting into an ever worsening oscillation that you can't "chase" with elevator as every attempt to counteract it pretty much results in it getting worse. It can happen both on take off and landing but it's on landing that you can especially induce this problem with little warning or time to react. In a flying boat (floating hull aircraft) with power and the correct technique it's pretty easy to prevent or rectify it if it commences. On landing without power you have to get the attitude correct first time to prevent it from commencing as it's pretty hard to fix it once you're in it if you can't add power. That Capt Sully was able to put his A320 down in the right attitude with the nose high, a 10 knot downwind and have the presence of mind to prevent this sort of oscillation from commencing is a testament to his skill and advanced airmanship. And can you imagine how hard "keeping the wings level" was during the flare considering one or both engines were broken off by the impact and probably at different times during the sequence! I've seen nothing on his resume that would indicate he has seaplane ratings so perhaps this will be his first log book recordable "water landing" as a successfully self taught seaplane pilot!
Congratulations to Capt Sully, the FO, the other 3 crew members and the extraordinary efforts of the rescue boat crews. Great example of professionalism and keeping calm under pressure.
Rene
