Atc And Runway Choices
To AMF and PTH I would say this as both a former RAF-trained pilot, and subsequently as an ATCO. Very few ATCO's nowadays both in the civil and military have any actual flying experience other than perhaps in a single piston ac.
I can remember when aircrew on ground tours often serverd at ATCO's and their experience was very useful on many occasions. Having had in my flying training experience of such things as a QGH, (flame out descent through cloud to those not familiar with the Q-code), 1:1's (Hunter/Hawk) and icing let-downs for the Canberra, which required special care, this immediately makes you appreciate just how little time there is in such a situation as faced by Sully and his crew.
Runway 13 at La Guardia seems as though it "might" have been an option with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight....this would only have worked if it had been offered by ATC straightaway and this assumes that ATC fully understood just how dire was the emergency and knew that from 3,000 ft (agl) the Airbus would fly roughly 9 track miles. As most of us know, this gliding range is longest in a straight line and if required to turn the distance one can fly is reduced. It also assumes that it was clear and available without delay....no vehicles, no work-in-progress, no crossing traffic, ac under tow etc. etc.
One also has to consider obstacles on approach and the absence of an acceptable under-shoot. Going for a ditching in the Hudson removed much of the guesswork of whether you are going to "make it" or not and the risk of "collateral" damage if it all went to cock was minimised - Sully didn't want to repeat 9/11.....
What this shows to me is that Sully acted decicively, showed captaincy of the highest order, outstanding airmanship and knew how best to use the energy he had left to manoevre the ac to a survivable crash/landing. He continued to "fly the aircraft" and did not allow external distractions to spoil the outcome. This requires total situational awareness.
The final factor was that he was "lucky" that it was day and VMC but when the chips are down its is amazing how exceptional pilots somehow make their own luck in situations like these. I am in no doubt that Sully's military background helped him no end.......
MB