The title of “hero” is not only reserved for policemen, firemen and soldiers.  There are many pilots who carry this title too, below are just a few.

Captain Chris Henkey

Captain Henkey was a pilot for 42 years when he issued a mayday call and brought a Plane to a complete stop after the engine burst into flames.  Henkey evacuated 157 passengers and 13 crew members off the Boeing 777 that was heading from Las Vegas to Gatwick International.  Henkey has been praised for demonstrating quick thinking in the face of destruction.

Chelsey ‘Sully’ Sullenberger

History’s most famous landing may have been demonstrated by Chelsey Sullenberger.  On 15 January 2009 Captain ‘Sully’ crash landed US Airways Flight 1549 carrying 155 passengers on the Hudson River.  The plane hit a large flock of birds, disabling the engine and forcing the captain to land the plane.  Sullenberger, celebrated as a national hero has been dubbed ‘Hero of the Hudson’.

Captain Eric Moody

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are all doing our damnedest to get them going again. I trust you are not in too much distress.”

This was Captain Moody’s announcement in 1982 after he flew a Boeing 747 through volcanic ash while passing through Jakarta.

Moody managed to get the plane to descend by using autopilot. Eventually the engines came back to life after the molten ash solidified and broke off.

This hero’s calm demeanor ensured a safe landing in Jakarta.

Alastair Atchison

After British Airways flight 5290 had taken off from London on it way to Spain in June 1990, part of the windshield became loose and sucked Captain Lancaster out of the plane. While a Flight Attendant Held on to him, Atchison the co-pilot tried to radio to declare an emergency but he could not hear a response because of the noise going on around him.  In an act of bravery and courage, Atchison got permission to land the plane in Southampton and guided the plane down as debris flew around him, and a flight attendant held on to Captain Tim Lancaster.  Lancaster survived, suffering a few fractures and frostbite.

The pilots above showed courage and bravery.  Still, everyday and every hour when a pilot successfully lands his passengers at their destination, he too is a hero.

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