Cleared for Takeoff: Memoirs of an Air Traffic Controller

by John R. "Rusty" Potter

Cleared for Memoirs of an Air Traffic ControllerIf you are intrigued by the fast-paced field of air traffic control, John R. “Rusty” Potter give you an insider’s perspective in “Cleared for Memoirs of an Air Traffic Controller.” For those interested in a career watching radarscopes and making split-second, life-or-death decisions, Potter’s firsthand account may serve as a source of inspiration or a cautionary tale.During the course of 35+ years with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), he guided more than 500,000 aircraft from propeller-driven trainers to jumbo jets that flew to destinations around the world. He also trained hundreds of controllers, as well as college and high school students in the intricacies of managing traffic in one of the nation’s most congested aviation settings. Recognized throughout his career for his conscientious approach to the demanding responsibilities of air traffic control, Potter also made significant contributions to air safety on a national level. In “Cleared for Memoirs of an Air Traffic Controller,” Potter offers an engaging account of accidents and incidents, sharp exchanges between pilots and air traffic controllers, hair-raising “saves” and flashes of real humor. As Potter says, “Automated technology has made major advancements over the years, but no one has invented an application that can duplicate the mix of multi-tasking, innovation, and sixth-sense intuition that are staples of successful performance for an air traffic controller.”

Genres: Aviation

544 pages, Paperback

Published September 21, 2020

Reviews

[Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars - but ONLY if you are extremely interested in the inner workings of Air Traffic Control. There is very little in this 700+ page book that ISN'T about airplanes or ATC - vanishingly little about his family life or outside interests like is usually included in autobiographies. For this I'm actually grateful as the book focuses solely on the subject matter. Mr. Potter had a very long career in ATC, including various staff positions, technical work, and training duties, even as a contractor after he retired from the FAA. Starting in the 60's and finally retiring for the last time in 2012, his career spanned a lot of advancements and changes - technological, social, and political - and of course the most significant event for any air traffic controller of that era, the PATCO strike of 1981.

Fascinating reading.

[Alanmillet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much.

This is a long read and i'm a quick reader.

I kept at it. I recently started using the ATCpro simulator on my computer.

I learned so much about Miami International with this book from a controller's viewpoint.

I am retired with a lot of time to kill and I enjoy the challenge.

I will feel the author, Rusty looking over my shoulder as I learn.

Thanks Rusty for sharing your story.

"Keep them separated"

[Kenneth E Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times thrilling

Randy’s narrative sometimes took us to the brink of near miss accidents when the controller’s sharp decisions averted a crash. More often I was lost in a sea of difficult jargon and abbreviations which I found hard to follow. Still, I felt rewarded by a look into the “secret world of ATC.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interested, good read, but too long and nuanced in some parts. Overall enjoyable, but I had to skim through a couple parts as they dragged on. If you’re a pilot, love learning about aviation, or want to hear some interesting flight/tower stories, this is the book for you!

[Edward B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed Look at ATC

Potter provides an in depth examination of the ATC system from the perspective of an air traffic controller. It is very interesting, eye opening and probably a little detailed for anyone not keenly interested in aviation.

[Curtis Schwinck · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an IFR rated pilot. An amazing

STORY. I wish this book had been available before my instrument training. I trained during the controller strike in Southern California. If you want to be great and safe pilot. It is a must read.

[Madeleine McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Memoir

Despite the sometimes unintelligible (to me) air traffic controllers numbers, this memoir lets the reader into a world that is almost unknown to outsiders. Glad I read this.

[Frank Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

Absolutely well written. A great look into what Air Traffic Control is all about.
As a person who had a career in aviation, It was great to relate to what the author had to say.

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story. A bit long but interesting throughout. Not just the technical into but also story of life decisions in this eventful period of time.

[BookLover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but way, way too detailed in parts. How he could he possibly remember such minute details over such a long time period?