Where Was Sully Filmed? Airport Location Revealed

The 2016 biographical drama film Sully, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks, is based on the true story of Captain Chesley Sully Sullenberger, who became known as a hero after landing a damaged plane on the Hudson River and saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew. The movie was shot in various locations, including North Carolina, New Mexico, and New Jersey, and featured scenes filmed at LaGuardia Airport, the same airport from which US Airways Flight 1549 took off before its fateful encounter with a flock of birds that disabled both engines.

LaGuardia Airport, New York City

Sullenberger, a former fighter pilot with over 19,000 total flight hours, took over the controls from First Officer Jeffrey Skiles, who had been flying during the first leg of the journey. Despite their repeated attempts to restart the engines, they were unsuccessful. Sullenberger notified LaGuardia air traffic control that he intended to return to the airport. However, as the plane continued to descend, he realized they would be unable to reach LaGuardia or any other nearby airports.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later used flight simulators to test the possibility of returning safely to LaGuardia or diverting to another airport. Only seven of the 13 simulated returns to LaGuardia succeeded, and the NTSB deemed these simulations unrealistic as they did not account for real-world factors such as the time required to recognize the bird strike and decide on a course of action.

With no other options, Sullenberger and Skiles made the difficult decision to ditch the plane in the Hudson River. About three and a half minutes after the bird strike, the plane landed in the river, with the aft end of the fuselage making first contact. The plane remained buoyant, and all 155 passengers and crew were rescued by nearby boats. There were no fatalities, and only five people suffered serious injuries.

Sullenberger's calm and quick decision-making during the crisis were commended, and he became known as a national hero. The incident was dubbed the "Miracle on the Hudson," and the successful ditching was described as "the most successful ditching in aviation history" by an NTSB official.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina

On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549, scheduled to fly from New York City's LaGuardia Airport to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, was forced to make an emergency landing on the Hudson River. The Airbus A320, piloted by Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, collided with a flock of birds shortly after takeoff, resulting in severe damage to both engines and a near-complete loss of thrust. With no possibility of reaching nearby airports, Sullenberger made the quick decision to ditch the aircraft into the river.

The successful landing and subsequent rescue efforts ensured the survival of all 155 passengers and crew, with only five serious injuries reported. The incident, known as the "Miracle on the Hudson," showcased Sullenberger's expertise and composure in handling the crisis.

Following the incident, the aircraft was removed from the river and later put on display at the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, adjacent to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). The museum, which closed in 2019, is set to reopen in mid-2024 as the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, honouring the heroic pilot.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a bustling aviation hub serving as a gateway to the region. The airport handles a significant volume of passenger and cargo traffic, contributing to the economic vitality of the area. While the specific contributions of Flight 1549's landing to the airport's operations are unclear, the incident undoubtedly highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness and the capability of the aviation industry to handle unforeseen events.

The airport's proximity to the Hudson River landing site and its role in the aftermath of the incident are also worth noting. Charlotte Douglas International Airport may have served as a base for rescue and recovery operations, coordinating with local authorities and providing logistical support. Additionally, the airport could have been involved in facilitating media access and accommodating affected passengers and crew members who required temporary accommodations or travel arrangements.

Teterboro Airport, New Jersey

Teterboro Airport, located in Teterboro, New Jersey, is a small general aviation relief airport in the United States. It is situated 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan and is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The airport has four runways and is primarily used for private and corporate aircraft operations, serving as a popular entry point for business travellers visiting the New York metropolitan area.

On January 15, 2009, Teterboro Airport played a significant role in the events surrounding US Airways Flight 1549, captained by Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger. Shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City, the Airbus A320 aircraft struck a flock of birds, resulting in a loss of power in both engines. Faced with this critical situation, Captain Sullenberger quickly assessed his options and requested landing instructions from air traffic control, specifically enquiring about landing possibilities at Teterboro Airport.

Air traffic controllers cleared Captain Sullenberger to land on Runway 1 at Teterboro Airport. However, Sullenberger, along with his co-pilot, First Officer Jeffrey Skiles, determined that the aircraft would be unable to reach any of the nearby airports, including Teterboro. Their calculations took into account the aircraft's low altitude and proximity to the available airports. Making a split-second decision, they chose to glide the plane towards the Hudson River, opting for a water landing.

This decision was later supported by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which conducted a thorough investigation. The NTSB used flight simulators to test alternative scenarios, including potential landings at LaGuardia and Teterboro airports. However, these simulations were deemed unrealistic as they did not account for the time required to recognise the bird strike and decide on a course of action. Ultimately, the NTSB concluded that Captain Sullenberger's decision to land on the Hudson River was correct, given the circumstances.

Hudson River, New York

On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus A320, took off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City, bound for Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, with a planned intermediate stop in Seattle. Shortly after takeoff, the plane, piloted by Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, struck a flock of Canada geese, resulting in a loss of power in both engines. With insufficient airspeed and altitude to reach any nearby airports, Sullenberger made the quick decision to land the plane on the Hudson River in New York. All 155 people on board, including 150 passengers and a crew of five, were rescued, with only five serious injuries reported.

The successful emergency landing in the Hudson River, known as the "Miracle on the Hudson", showcased Sullenberger's expertise and quick thinking. Sullenberger, a retired aviator, diplomat, and aviation safety expert, has dedicated his career to improving flight safety. His calm demeanour during the crisis earned him the nickname "Captain Cool" from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Following the bird strike, Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles worked diligently to restart the engines, but their attempts were unsuccessful. Recognising the urgency of the situation, Sullenberger notified LaGuardia's air control of his intention to return to the airport. However, as the plane continued to descend, it became apparent that they would be unable to make it back to LaGuardia or divert to any nearby airports.

With no other options available, Sullenberger made the bold decision to land the plane on the Hudson River. The successful water landing in the middle of the North River section of the Hudson tidal estuary, near Midtown Manhattan, demonstrated Sullenberger's exceptional skill and composure under pressure. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) ultimately ruled that Sullenberger's decision to land on the river was correct, as the standard procedures for engine loss are designed for cruising altitudes rather than immediately after takeoff.

The aftermath of the incident saw the aircraft removed from the river, and it was subsequently put on display at the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The museum is set to reopen as the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, honouring the heroic captain. The incident also inspired the 2016 film "Sully," directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks, further cementing the event's place in popular culture and American aviation history.

Carolinas Aviation Museum, Charlotte

The Carolinas Aviation Museum, now known as the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The museum is adjacent to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which serves as a major hub and is the second-largest hub for American Airlines. Founded in 1992 by Floyd and Lois Peithman Wilson, the museum is one of the few aviation museums located at an airport.

The museum's centerpiece attraction is the Airbus A320 used on US Airways Flight 1549, also known as the "Miracle on the Hudson." On January 15, 2009, Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles were forced to make an emergency landing on the Hudson River shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City due to multiple bird strikes. All 155 people on board were rescued, and there were no fatalities. The aircraft was acquired by the Carolinas Aviation Museum in 2011 and has been on display in the same configuration as it was when it was pulled out of the river.

The Carolinas Aviation Museum has a collection of over 50 static aircraft and many smaller historic items related to aviation in North Carolina and South Carolina. The collection includes military fighter jets, helicopters, commercial airliners, and a private plane, the Cessna 150, which is a hands-on exhibit. Visitors can also see the uniforms of Captain Sully and First Officer Skiles, his headset, and numerous items from the plane, such as Coke cans from the food cart.

The museum offers a unique perspective on the merger of human and machine ingenuity, showcasing the story of Flight 1549 and its legendary crew. It provides a powerful display of aviation history and the human achievements that have made powered flight possible. The Carolinas Aviation Museum is a must-visit attraction in Charlotte, with reasonable admission fees, free parking, and terrific community outreach.

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