"Sully," as the unflappable pilot is known to the public, was to be reunited with first officer Jeff Skiles for the flight from New York's LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte, North Carolina.

This is the same flight they attempted January 15 when their Airbus A320 ran into a flock of geese after take-off and simultaneously lost power in both engines and started to plunge.

The duo became national heroes for their perfect splash landing in the Hudson, just off Manhattan, and successful evacuation of all aboard.

"The months since January 15 have been very full and my family and I have had some unforgettable experiences," said Sullenberger (58). "However, I have missed working with my colleagues at US Airways and I am eager to get back in the cockpit with my fellow pilots in the months ahead."

This time Sullenberger and the airline have every intention of reaching Charlotte in one piece: he was scheduled to give a press conference at a US Airways facility on landing.

The silver-haired, modest Sullenberger became an instant celebrity in the wake of his miraculous performance.

He wrote a book about his life, expected out soon, attended President Barack Obama's inauguration in Washington, and appeared on multiple television talk shows.

Meanwhile, US Airways has given him an additional role on the airline's flight operations safety management team.

But it hasn't been all glamour and accolades for the dynamic duo.

US Airways required them to do refresher courses, simulator training and test flights with a training department captain.

AFP

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