Originally Posted by
flyzabit
Actually, CNN was reporting last night that Capt. "Sully" is a Glider Instructor. That outside training was probably also crucial in his confidence in handling the emergency situation and the aircraft to its "successful" landing in the water. The right person in the right place at the right time, too.
I believe one of the pilots (first officer comes to mind) of the Gimli Glider had significant glider experience as well. I don't think this incident yesterday in any way takes away from what the Air Canada pilots pulled off 25 years ago. To glide a 767 over 100 miles and just happen to remember an old airstrip, and land on it without killing yourselves or any of the many people who were using that former runway as a drag strip that afternoon is equally amazing.