April 2024: Overcoming Trauma, Navigating Fear & Drone Commentary
Capt. Sully Sullenberger
Keynote Speaker | Safety Expert | Author | Pilot | Former U.S. Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization
Welcome Aboard
Welcome to the latest edition of "My View From The Left Seat." As we head into mental health awareness month, I want to discuss overcoming trauma and my own personal experience with it. I also asked you all if media reports of airline accidents impact your anxiety with flying and the answers may surprise you!????
We also discuss using drones in the National Airspace System, an important issue in the aviation community. It is critically important that each person using a drone learn and follow the rules to keep everyone safe.
Overcoming Trauma: Processing and Resilience?
My journey from being an Air Force fighter pilot to an airline captain spans decades of service, but perhaps the most defining moment of my career occurred on January 15, 2009.
The moments leading up to that engines-out emergency water landing were a mix of shock and adrenaline. Responsibility for the lives of 155 passengers and crew weighed heavily on my shoulders. With the quick efforts of everyone involved, no lives were lost.
The huge relief of everyone surviving was mixed with the very normal, natural human response to this sudden emergency of a lifetime.? Sleep did not come easily, replaced by a constant replay of the event. My mind wouldn't shut off. I lost weight and my appearance shocked my wife when I returned home days later. The stress was taking its toll.
Thankfully, I wasn't alone. Our pilots union had a trained Critical Incident Response Team. I asked them to provide my crew and me a roadmap of what to expect, and they gave us a very accurate one.They warned us about the sleeplessness, the flashbacks, the endless second guessing.? It was still hard, but knowing what was coming helped.
Whether talking about it or writing it all down,? it helped me process the experience. It allowed me to accept that I did the best I could in that situation.
My message to fellow veterans and anyone grappling with trauma is simple::? get the help you need and that your family deserves. Healing is a journey, but with courage and compassion, we can emerge from the darkest of nights into the light of resilience.
Navigating Fear: Media’s Influence on Airplane Anxiety
This month, I asked you all how much media reports of airplane accidents impact your anxiety about flying.?
In a world inundated with headlines and breaking news, it's no surprise that media reports can significantly influence our perceptions and anxieties. When it comes to airplane accidents, the impact of sensationalized stories and dramatic portrayals cannot be understated. But just how much do these reports affect our feelings about flying?
According to recent feedback from our audience, the responses varied:
So, what does this tell us?
While staying informed is crucial, it's equally important to discern between sensationalism and substantive reporting. By fostering a critical mindset and prioritizing self-care, we can navigate the complexities of media influence with grace and resilience.
These findings underscore the complexity and apprehension surrounding the safe integration of drones into our skies. While a small percentage expressed high levels of confidence, the majority harbored varying degrees of doubt and uncertainty.
The rise of drone technology presents both unprecedented opportunities and challenges. From aerial photography to package delivery, drones have revolutionized numerous industries. However, concerns regarding airspace congestion, collision risks, and regulatory oversight loom large.
It is critically important that each person using a drone learn and follow the rules to keep everyone safe.
In accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, all recreational drone flyers must successfully complete an aeronautical knowledge and safety test. Proof of passage will be required upon request by law enforcement or FAA personnel. The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) fulfills this requirement.
TRUST offers educational modules and testing on crucial safety and regulatory information. If you intend to operate your drone for recreational purposes under the Exception for Recreational Flyers, passing the TRUST test is mandatory before your first flight.
Connect with me on social media
?? Follow @CaptSully on social media for my behind-the-scenes glimpses and insights into the aviation world. Stay updated with my commentary on trending aviation news. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, TikTok, and YouTube for more!
Thank you for joining me on this month's journey. Together, let's keep learning and growing.
Captain Sully Sullenberger
Corporate Flight Attendant | ? NBAA member Part 91/125/135
5 个月????????
Hello Capt. Sullenberger. I am the proud grandmother to my 18 year old grandson, Brody, who experiences autism. He is passionate about domestic jets, and since he was very small has bee impressed by your landing safely on the Hudson. I know that you are a busy man, however, Brody would be immeasurably happy and I would be deeply grateful to have you send him a personal note from you, his hero! He asked me to forward his drawing along to you.
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6 个月Sir It's a great deal of practicality in practice to escape from the stress and anxiety?
Aircraft Mechanic at AerSale, Inc.
6 个月Thank you for sharing!
Fourth year Aeronautical Sciences Student at University of Hawaii at Hilo, Future Pilot and aspiring musician.
6 个月Wow this month’s newsletter really shears light on pilot’s mental health and thank you Captain Sully for sharing your expirence with us and things I never knew before until now. Yes mental health is very important and nobody should be ashamed to ask for help when in reality we all need help at one point in our lives even me. Now I’m starting to understand the responsibilities or Kuleana of being a pilot and this month’s newsletter reminds me of at this year’s Merrie Monarch festival one hālau did a song called fireman’s hula or Hula o ka hui ka?awai and in that song it tells tribute of Hawai?i’s firefighters and I remember listening to that song on repeat at Honolulu Airport when I started my Flight training at George’s Aviation in Honolulu and it made me relize that Pilots and Flight crew as well as everyone in the Aviation industry we must put safety and everyone’s lives to the highest reguard over anything else like first responders do. And finally everyone must do our part along with aircrafts or drones to keep everyone safe and I say for any drone operator they should give their drones the same respect as Pilots and their aircrafts to ensure that everyone and everything goes safely and following the rules too.