After months full of reflection and spending time with family, famed US Airways pilot, Captain Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger plans to return to the cockpit. His new book “Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters” is out next month.

The celebrated incident, when Sullenberger splash-landed a Flight 1549 full of passengers onto the Hudson River last January, gained him national media attention and praise from industry peers. The plane’s turbulence was a result of birds striking the engines, and it lost power in both of them.

The 58-year old pilot has now finished the required training to return to the cockpit, which includes attending ground school, finishing simulator training, and flying with a captain from the training department.

After spending recent months with his family, he is eager to return to his colleagues and continue his work in the cockpit. His new title as “management pilot” means he will advocate more visibly for aviation safety, which he says he has valued all along.

The former Air Force pilot has no firm return date, but is looking forward to it.

According to a statement, Chairman and CEO of US Airways, Doug Parker says, “We welcome Capt. Sullenberger back to work and are proud to have him flying with us again as a member of the US Airways safety management organization. US Airways is an industry leader when it comes to safety and Sully is an excellent addition to the team.”

© Cheapflights Ltd Andrea Mooney