DANVILLE, Calif. - US Airways pilot Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger and his family are going to the presidential inauguration, the mayor of his California hometown said Sunday.
Mayor Newell Arnerich said the town of Danville is also planning a welcome home for the pilot who landed his crippled aircraft safely in the Hudson River last Thursday.
An aide to President-elect Barack Obama said Sunday evening that all five members of the Flight 1549 crew have been invited to the inauguration Tuesday. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity because details were still being worked out.
The Danville mayor said Lorraine Sullenberger told city officials that the family would leave for the East Coast on Sunday. The pilot's wife and daughters haven't seen Sullenberger since he's been hailed as a hero for saving the lives of all 155 on board.
Danville has scheduled a celebration Saturday for Sullenberger. Arnerich said the event is tentative because he is not sure when the pilot will return home.
The mayor said a U.S. Air Force Colour Guard and flyover are expected. Sullenberger was named best aviator in his class at the Air Force Academy.
