Dispatcher Practical test

[leartwenty4]

I just recently found out a little bit about getting a dispatcher rating and I am looking for a little clarification from the people in the know.

From what I have read there is a written test (much like the pilots ATP test), so many hours of schooling or so much time in a specific job, and a practical test with the FAA.

How tough was the FAA test? I read the PTS for the practical on the FAA site. I will confess my ignorance and say that until I read that and I think it was 65.57, I had no idea that there is a practical test. Is the practical a formality when they hand you your license, or a several hour slugfest with an FAA examiner?

Has anyone here gained their experience on the job being a flight follower or pilot or the like, instead of going to a school?

Just an ignorant pilot trying to find some answers. Leartwenty4

 

[twabudman]

Mine was UGLY......8 hr oral with the FAA....ugh....

 

[rvsm410]

Written and Oral, test...usually you will take the written about half way through your dispatch class...this is an 80 queston test, out of a possible 1580 questions....

The oral and practical test is with an FAA examiner and scheduled for 8 hours, generally they take about 5..these can be real tough because they are ad-lib tests...you will be required to perform a hand calculated flight plan and release..

Good luck, but learn the stuff....

 

[SKC]

The written IS the ATP test (plus an additional 10 dispatch questions in the bank). Just study the Gleim book and you'll be fine.

My oral was a tad over 3 hrs. The length is totally dependent upon the examiner and what he's looking for, how long it takes you to do your flight plan, etc.

 

[rod guhzhinya]

Manual flight plan was difficult and took about 3 hours, then 3 hour oral with FAA examiner. All in all it was pretty hard but I felt totally prepared, there was no surprises.


Rod

 

[Bart Simpson]

I got my dx license from a cereal box. No studying and/or testing required.

 

[T/SF34/A]

Dx

Did You Actually Have To Buy The Box Of Cereal???

 

[Bart Simpson]

Does stealing cereal from kids qualify as a purchase?

 

[leartwenty4]

Thanks twabudman, rvsm410, SKC, rod guhzhinya. I think I understand a little more now. Did all of you go through schools or did any of you get the experience requirement first then take the test? Thanks for the replys, Leartwenty4

 

[propsarebest]

I took the FAA allowed "short course", which basically means that you take the written before you show up at the dispatch school.

PM me for more info if u like.

 

[twabudman]

I went to Flight Safety at LGA. They really have a good program. 6weeks full time or 12 weeks part time and they help you prepare for both the written and oral exams. Good Luck!!

 

[SKC]

I had some experience as a ticket agent and flight follower, but chose (well, had to) attend a school. Went to AFDTC in Dallas.

 

[homerjdispatch]

If your gonna pick a school for your edumacation go to SHEFFIELD!!!!

Only the "best of the Best" make it out of SHEFFIELD!!!! Its the TOPGUN school of dispatch. Right Propsarebest?


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

 

[propsarebest]

Yup!!

If your gonna pick a school for your edumacation go to SHEFFIELD!!!!

Only the "best of the Best" make it out of SHEFFIELD!!!! Its the TOPGUN school of dispatch. Right Propsarebest?


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

 

[maverick121]

I'm sure Sheffield and AFDTC are both pretty equal. I went to AFDTC and thought it was a great school.

 

[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.
http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gif
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.
http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gif
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.
http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gif
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.
http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gif
He/She prepares and signs the dispatch release which is the legal document providing authorization for a flight to depart.
http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gif
He/She delays or cancels flights if unsafe conditions threaten the safety of his/her aircraft or passengers.
http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gif
He/She monitors weather conditions, aircraft position reports, and aeronautical navigation charts to evaluate the progress of flight.
http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gif
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.
http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gif
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.
http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gif
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.
http://www.dispatcher.org/graphics/redball.gif
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!