'Miracle on the Hudson' pilot steps down from international post

C.B. "Sully" Sullenberger, the commercial pilot who safely landed an Airbus A320 on New York's Hudson River in 2009 after hitting a flock of geese, said on Thursday he would step down as US envoy to an international aviation group on July 1. Sullenberger was confirmed in December as USambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization based in Montreal. He said in a statement that "relinquishing my role" was not an easy decision but did not offer a reason for his departure after just over six months.<br/>The announcement comes a month after Sullenberger raised concerns about attempts by regional airlines to reduce pilot requirements that he warned would weaken safety. A State Department spokesperson said Sullenberger's "indisputable credibility on aviation safety and security matters reinforced American leadership on those issues and strengthened our nation’s partnerships across the globe." The United States is expected to play an important role at ICAO's triennial assembly later this year, where countries are trying to broker a long-term agreement on aviation emissions including mandating more efficient future aircraft.<br/>