It would have been impossible for anyone to have missed the amazing story of US Air Flight 1549, and the heroes of this event – the crew and first responders. However, some may have missed a story in USA Today only a few days before, “Airlines Go Two Years With No Fatalities”. When a flock of Canadian geese tried to end this streak, New Yorkers saw to it that everyone aboard was safely on ferry boats that beat NY Fire Department rescue boats to the sinking plane. As a write this a New York City parade of heroes is being talked about.
One man, who should be in the parade and probably will not, is a former New York City cop. Nick Sabatini, the FAA’s Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, retired at the end of 2008. Nick began civilian life by joining the NYC police department after completing a tour with the Army where he was a helicopter pilot. In 1979 he joined the FAA and he spent next 30 years with a safety bone in his teeth. No one person can lay claim to the outstanding safety record that all aviation enjoys, but no one doubts that Nick made a significant contribution.
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