London, 22 January 2009
The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN), a City of London Livery Company, whose Patron is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and Grand Master HRH The Duke of York, has awarded a prestigious award, the Master’s Medal, to the crew (air and cabin) of US Airways Flight 1549.
Under the command of Captain Chesley B (Sully) Sullenberger, the crew ensured the safety of all 146 passengers after executing an emergency ditching and evacuation of their Airbus 320 aircraft on the Hudson River, New York, on 15 January, following a catastrophic bird strike and double engine failure.
The Master’s Medal is rarely awarded and only for an outstanding aviation achievement, and at the discretion of the Master of The Guild, currently Air Commodore Rick Peacock-Edwards, who said:
“The reactions of all members of the crew, the split second decision making and the handling of this emergency and evacuation was `text book` and an example to us all.
To have safely executed this emergency ditching and evacuation, with the loss of no lives, is a heroic and unique aviation achievement. It deserves the immediate recognition that has today been given by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators.’’
The formal award of the Master’s Medal to the crew of US Airways Flight 1549 will be made later this year, most probably at the Guild’s prestigious Annual Trophies & Awards Banquet in the City of London’s Guildhall in October.
The Guild is the premier organisation for aviators and was established in 1929 to maintain the highest standards of air safety through the promotion of good airmanship.
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