Dispatcher Practical test

[flyjumpseat]

(at least thats what they told me BEFORE I headed down there!)

That's what I was told (AFDTC = Best of the Best) BEFORE I went to AFDTC!!! It must be a conspiracy!!!

 

[RichardRambone]

Pardon my ignorance but what does a flight dispatcher exactly do? Do you guys check the weather and set up flight plans for the pilots? Doyou set up the departure schedule? Again sorry for my ignorance I'm just a GA schlub.

 

[SKC]

(from the ADF site):

http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gifThe Aircraft Dispatcher is a licensed airman certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gifHe/She has joint responsibility with the captain for the safety and operational control of flights under his/her guidance.

http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gifHe/She authorizes, regulates and controls commercial airline flights according to government and company regulations to expedite and ensure safety of flight.
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He/She is also responsible for economics, passenger service and operational control of day to day flight operations.

http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gifHe/She analyzes and evaluates meteorological information to determine potential hazards to safety of flight and to select the most desirable and economic route of flight.
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He/She computes the amount of fuel required for the safe completion of flight according to type of aircraft, distance of flight, maintenance limitations, weather conditions and minimum fuel requirements prescribed by federal aviation regulations.
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He/She prepares flight plans containing information such as maximum allowable takeoff and landing weights, weather reports, field conditions, NOTAMS and many other informational components required for the safe completion of flight.
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He/She prepares and signs the dispatch release which is the legal document providing authorization for a flight to depart.
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He/She delays or cancels flights if unsafe conditions threaten the safety of his/her aircraft or passengers.
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He/She monitors weather conditions, aircraft position reports, and aeronautical navigation charts to evaluate the progress of flight.
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He/She updates the pilot in command of significant changes to weather or flight plan and recommends flight plan alternates, such as changing course, altitude and, if required, enroute landings in the interest of safety and economy.
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He/She originates and disseminates flight information to others in his/her company including stations and reservations. This is the source of information provided to the traveling public.
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He/She has undergone extensive training to have earned the coveted Aircraft Dispatcher's certificate having taken and passed both an extensive oral examination and the comprehensive Dispatch ADX test, administered by the Federal Aviation Administration. These tests are equivalent to the same Air Transport Pilot (ATP) written and oral examinations that an airline captain must successfully complete.
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He/She participates in frequent and detailed recurrent training courses covering aircraft systems, company operations policy, meteorology and Federal Air Regulations as required by the FAA.

 

[rod guhzhinya]

I took the 4-week short course at Sheffield, it was a ball buster, but had a job 2 days after I graduated...so I guess it was worth the sweat and tears!!!

Good Luck

Rod

 

[RichardRambone]

Thanks for the heads up. So from what I gather you guys handle the preflight aspect of any flight. I can see how that is an important job. Thanks.

 

[OPNLguy]

Thanks for the heads up. So from what I gather you guys handle the preflight aspect of any flight. I can see how that is an important job. Thanks.

It's more than just the "preflight" aspect, much more...

If you take a look at the FAR 1.1 definition of "operational control" you'll see the three words initiating, conducting, and terminating. "Initiating" is easy to understand (generating the preflight paperwork) but that's where some folks (including pilots) stop reading. As far as "conducting" goes, the dispatcher can't be onboard every aircraft he/she dispatches, but there are various other FARs that entails the dispatcher's influencing the conduct of the operation. "Terminating", as its name implies, means that the dispatcher sometimes has to be the one to pull the plug on an unsafe operation, by diverting, cancelling, or in rare instances, using their own emergency authority... (Yes, Virginia, aircraft dispatchers can declare emergencies...)

 

[ShutupandFly]

I don't know about other schools but all three dispatch jobs I have been hired for I found on the Sheffield graduates website. To me that in itself has been worth the cost of admission. I graduated in 1992 and still have access to it.

 

[sir5list]

I entered the 6 week course, even tho I could have taken the "short" course being an avaition idiot savant (Comm pilot). Glad I took the 6 weeks.

I didn't go to Sheffield, but ya'll are right - they put out very good students and when I hire those folks. Go to FLL for school!