Hero pilot

Look, I think Favreau and Robert Downey Jr. more than earned themselves the benefit of the doubt the last time out. All I’m saying is,Spider-Man 3 collapsed under the weight of 3 secondary characters, and Iron Man 2’s already at 4, maybe 5…

Danville officials hope to celebrate a hero's welcome this weekend for resident Chesley Sullenberger III, the pilot who safely landed an airliner in the Hudson River in New York on Thursday and has since been invited to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration in Washington.

Council member Candace Andersen said town officials - mindful of the inauguration and Sullenberger's desire to spend time with his family - are working with the pilot and have tentatively planned a party for Friday or Saturday at the Danville Community Center on Front Street.

"We've had a tremendous outpouring of community support from individuals who want to be involved," Andersen said. "A lot of people who know him see (the airplane landing) as being true to his character."

Referring to the economic crisis, Andersen added, "We live in a gloomy time. This is a little bright spot in our lives. Something as wonderful as this is great to focus on."

Flying for US Airways, Sullenberger, 57, safely landed an Airbus A320 that had lost power to both engines just after takeoff, apparently after hitting a flock of birds. Some have dubbed it the "Miracle on the Hudson." All 155 passengers and crew were rescued.