US Airline Pilots Association US Airline Pilots Association The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) was the collective bargaining agent for the majority former US Airways "East" pilots, and the minority former America West Airlines "West" regional pilots. USAPA was led by East pilot Mike Cleary. USAPA was formed by East pilots for the exclusive and purpose of attempting to overturn the results of the previous pilot seniority integration arbitration. During the fair representation trial, USAPA used as courtroom witnesses East pilots Sully Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skiles of the infamous Hudson River flight 1549. Both witnesses testified in support of USAPA. There has been much
2009 Hudson River mid-air collision allowed. From , aircraft would be allowed to fly without air traffic control handling. Above , aircraft would be allowed to traverse the corridor under the handling of air traffic control. 2009 Hudson River mid-air collision On August 8, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. (15:53 UTC), nine people died when a tour helicopter and a small private airplane collided over the Hudson River near Frank Sinatra Park in Hoboken, New Jersey. The aircraft were in an area known as the "Hudson River VFR Corridor", which extends from the surface of the river to altitudes of at various locations along the Hudson