Great Movie but Unrealisitc Portrayal of NTSB

Rating: 8/10 (19 September 2016)

As a pilot for 40 years I really enjoyed Sully as I'm sure most pilots did also. Since the actual flight was so short it would have been nice to have seen an uninterrupted view of the flight from take-off to the water landing from the cockpit perspective. Instead we got a lot of short edits jumping back and forth from the cockpit, to the cabin and then outside.
That's a small complaint though. A larger one is how poorly the NTSB was treated as arrogant and oblivious to the human factors involved in an unprecedented emergency involving dual engine failure at 2,800 feet. I understand every drama needs an antagonist and maybe only the NTSB could have played that role in Sully. Just understand that's show business. Pilots might have the occasional complaint with the FAA, say, during a ramp inspection, but the NTSB is pretty much universally respected as one of the most capable and thorough agencies within the federal government. The incredible safety record of American air travel is largely attributable to the NTSB and the FAA.
Google "ntsb final report USAir 1549" to read the final NTSB report on the flight. Judge for yourself. This wasn't written by a bunch of arrogant bureaucrats.
One other thought. If you liked the pilot heroics in Sully, watch "The High and the Mighty" filmed in 1954. Great music, visuals and John Wayne showing how iron-jawed pilots handle emergencies.