» What to Expect

The Aircraft Dispatcher career first started in 1938. The Civil Aeronautics Act mandated that airlines must conduct their flights as safely as possible and for that reason the FAA started the position of Aircraft Flight Dispatcher. All airlines in the United States employ licensed aircraft dispatchers. Some larger corporations also employ dispatchers. These dispatchers are responsible for the safe operation of the airlines and share equal responsibility with the pilots as to the safe operation of each and every flight.

Dispatchers are responsible for obtaining the weather, fuel planning, safety of the aircraft and safety of the crew in the aircraft. They are also responsible for monitoring each and every flight as it is conducted as well as updating weather information as the flight progresses.

Aircraft Dispatchers are not only used in the United States but are found in airlines all over the world. As aircraft and airspace becomes more complex, the demand for qualified aircraft dispatchers will increase.

 

Our Airline Dispatch School offers an FAA approved Aircraft Flight Dispatcher Training Program. Our instructors are highly qualified and offer a personal teaching environment. They have a passion for aviation and want to pass it onto others. Unlike On-Line courses, we provide personal instruction in a small classroom environment. We use the most current and up to date information that is the industry standard. These are the same standards that are used by current airline dispatchers. Our quality of instruction will certainly prepare you for your future as an Airline Dispatcher. Our Chief Instructor is Gordon Barnes. Mr. Barnes with over 60 years of aviation experience. He worked for Pan Am airlines as a pilot, Aircraft Dispatcher and Ground/Flight Operations manager. Mr. Barnes has over 40 years of meteorology experience and most recently over 8 years of Flight Dispatcher Instructing. Mr. Barnes is also an aviation ground school instructor.

 

Dispatcher Job Responsibilities

• An Aircraft Dispatcher shares equal and joint responsibility with the pilot in command for the safety and operational control of the flight.
• An Aircraft Dispatcher authorizes, regulates, controls and terminates aircraft flights in accordance with company and governmental regulations and policies to ensure safety.
• An Aircraft Dispatcher is responsible for the economics, operational control, and passenger service requirements for daily flight operations.
• An Aircraft Dispatcher reviews and evaluates weather information to determine potential flight safety hazards and to select the preferred and most economical route of flight.
• An Aircraft Dispatcher computes the amount of fuel required, distance of flight, maintenance limitations, weather conditions, and other factors affecting safety of flight using company and FAA established guidelines.
• An Aircraft Dispatcher prepares flight plans with information including maximum allowable takeoff and landing weights, weather reports, field conditions, METARs, TAFs, NOTAMs, PIREPs, and other information required for the safe completion of the flight.
• An Aircraft Dispatcher prepares and signs the dispatch release which is a legal document providing authorization for the flight to depart.
• An Aircraft Dispatcher is authorized by the FAA to delay, divert, or cancel a flight if unsafe conditions pose a threat to the safety of the aircraft, passengers, cargo or flight.
• An Aircraft Dispatcher monitors weather conditions, aircraft position reports, aeronautical navigation charts and aircraft radio calls to evaluate the progress and safety of the flight.
• An Aircraft Dispatcher advises the pilot in command of significant changes to weather or the flight plan and recommends changes as required for the continued safe operation of the flight.
• An Aircraft Dispatcher will assist the pilot in command of an aircraft with an emergency situation by providing any assistance necessary to ensure safe completion of the flight.