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Young Eagles Watch as Sully Goes Supersonic with the Blue Angels

Sully Sullenberger prepares for his flight in Blue Angels Jet No. 7.


Young Eagles from the Bay Area join Sully Sullenberger and Blue Angels pilots after Sully's supersonic flight.

October 8, 2012 - EAA Young Eagles Co-Chairman Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger flew in a U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet as the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Demonstration Squadron kicked off San Francisco Fleet Week. Sully also invited six Young Eagles from local Bay Area EAA chapters to watch the takeoff and landing and meet the Blue Angels.

"It was like riding a tiger," said Sullenberger, who served as an Air Force fighter pilot from 1975 to 1980. "These are such magnificent, precise machines capable of raw power and amazing agility."

Sully flew aboard Jet No. 7 piloted by U.S. Navy Lt. Mark Tedrow at supersonic speeds off the coast of San Francisco. "He did great," Tedrow said of Sullenberger. "I could tell he was a former fighter pilot."

As Young Eagles co-chairman, Sully was pleased to be able to have the Young Eagles participate. "The best part of this is being able to share my passion for flying with these wonderful young people," he said.

One of the young invitees, Katie Smith, 16, of Hayward, California, EAA Chapter 29, remarked, "It's really amazing, and a really cool first impression."

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