Cleared for Takeoff: 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 Takeoff: 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 Takeoff: 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.”