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An Airplane’s Most-Used Button

#192 | SEPTEMBER 2026
What is an airplane’s most-used button? It’s not direct-to or the frequency flip-flop. It’s so mundane you rarely give it a second thought—but you’ll absolutely wish it was working correctly if it fails in some of the busiest airspace in the U.S. How creative will you be in handling the situation?
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John Krug
John Krug’s 27 years of experience as an Air Traffic Controller combined with his experience as an active flight instructor and charter pilot, allow him to assist pilots in gaining a better understanding of the ATC system and how to best operate in it. While with the FAA, he was an On-the-Job-Training Instructor for new controllers and worked as a Quality Assurance Specialist, responsible for conducting in-flight evaluations of the Air Traffic System and investigating accidents and incidents.