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 When it comes to aircraft safety, a flight dispatcher plays a vital role. In fact, a pilot and a flight dispatcher works hand in hand, one from the air and one from the ground, on a number of shared responsibilities. These responsibilities include coordinating flight plans, calculating the necessary amount of fuel for a trip, taking weather and wind into account, and ensuring the safe passage of an aircraft and its passengers in compliance with CAA regulations. If you understand how to become a flight dispatcher, only a few steps stand between you and certification for a job that is vital to the safe and efficient operation of an aircraft.

According to Wikipedia, "A flight planner / dispatcher usually works for an airline or airport and is also known as a flight dispatcher. They must carefully plan all flight paths for a number of flights, taking into account wind speed, storms, aircraft performance and loading, and other conditions. Some dispatchers provide a flight following service and advise pilots if conditions or paths change. They would usually work in the operations or control center of the airline. Often (especially in larger airlines) a dispatcher will be assisted by a load planner. Load planners have the same license as a flight dispatcher. They must carefully plan the loading of the aircraft and do the weight and balance calculations for the aircraft. In some cargo aircraft they have to visually inspect the loading, making sure it has been done in accordance with their instructions. When a load planner is on board the airplane as a member of the crew, he or she will be in charge of planning, loading, and offloading the cargo for the duration of the flight, and is known as loadmaster".





What are the duties and responsibilities of a Flight Dispatcher?
According to World Airline Dispatcher Schools, below are the responsibilities of a Dispatcher.

An Aircraft Dispatcher is a CAA licensed airman whose primary concern is safety and performs the following tasks:

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 CAA 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.

How to Become a Flight Dispatcher

1 Understand the duties of a flight dispatcher before you decide to pursue this career. A flight dispatcher is responsible for ensuring that safety guidelines are followed during a flight, knowing what weather patterns to expect and how to work around them, determining how much fuel will be needed for a flight, and many other things. This is an important position and comes with a great deal of responsibility, so do some research and educate yourself on what being a flight dispatcher entails.


2 Locate an FAA-approved flight dispatcher training school. A comprehensive list can be found at the FAA's website.
Although no more than a high school diploma is necessary to enroll in an FAA-approved flight dispatcher certification course, a college background in air transportation or meteorology is beneficial to prospective students.

3 Apply to the program of your choice and enroll in courses where you'll learn about flight planning, navigation systems, fuel requirements, plotting charts, and other necessary skills required for the job.

i) Be aware that training programs are rigorous and intense. They generally last 5 to 6 weeks and comprise 200 hours of training. Some programs are residential while others can be taken part-time. Night classes are generally not an option, so be aware of this if you plan to stay at your present job while training.

ii) Be aware that course tuition at training schools can often be costly, often ranging from $4000 USD to $5000 USD. Financial aid is available at some institutions. Exams can cost several hundred dollars, but most schools include the price of exams in their overall tuition. The exams are administered by your school at the end of the 5 to 6 week training program.

4 Prepare strenuously for the FAA required aircraft dispatcher certification exam by studying and taking advantage of any practice exams administered by the school in which you are enrolled.

5 Pass the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) certification exam to qualify for employment as a flight dispatcher.
The test is comprised of 80 questions which you must complete in 3 hours.
The test includes assessment in 6 basic areas in the oral/practical portion: flight planning, pre-flight and takeoff procedures, in-flight procedures, landing procedures, post-flight procedures, and emergency procedures.

6 Apply for jobs as flight dispatcher with various airlines

Aircraft Dispatcher Pay and Benefits
According to World Airline Dispatcher School, an Aircraft Flight Dispatchers pay varies between employers and is also affected by the area in which they are located. The following is a guide and actual pay can only be determined by interviewing with individual companies.

Regional carriers start their Aircraft Flight Dispatcher employees between $28,000 and $32,000 per year. Depending on longevity, salaries reach into the $90,000 range and higher for managers.

Major carriers start assistant flight dispatchers in the $40K range depending on experience. Most major air carrier's dispatch offices are union represented and salary caps have been negotiated beyond $100K. Many senior flight dispatchers make in excess of $125K when shift differentials and license pay are included.

An Aircraft Flight Dispatchers benefits vary depending on employer but generally include medical and dental insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, savings, credit unions, stock purchase options, paid holidays, paid vacations, retirement plans. Many companies offer free flying for their Aircraft Flight Dispatcher employees and free or reduced fares for their immediate family. Some companies offer their Aircraft Flight Dispatchers discounted holiday travel packages and may include agreements with cruise lines, travel agencies, rental car companies and others.

What Schools do you recommend my training?
Basically, Flight dispatch training is offered in every country. A license is issued at the successful completion of your course. Aviation being a very small industry, the nationality of your license is very key to your marketability.
All CAAs require a locally licensed dispatcher, but the trick mostly adopted by most dispatcher is getting the FAA license. This license is the most accessible in terms of procedures to obtain it. And it is valid as long as it is not revoked by the FAA.

FAA approved flight dispatch schools offer their courses within 6 weeks and once successful, you are issued a temporary license.

A list of FAA Approved schools are as follows
1. Sheffield school of Aeronautics
2. Institute of Flight Operations and Dispatch
3. Jeppessen Aircraft Dispatcher license training and certification school
4. World Airline Dispatcher schools
5. Flight Safety International
6. Universal Weather & Aviation Inc.

Just a few ranking schools for your information.

In the middle East, the premier school for Flight dispatch is Emirates Aviation College operating with Jeppessen's curriculum. Another school is Academy of Technical Training also located in Dubai.

In Africa, you could go to Nigeria's premier school, Nigerian College of Air Transport(NCAT), Atis Aviation Sciences Academy in Cairo Egypt, Khartoum Academy for Aviation & Technology Khartoum, Sudan.

In Asia, Jeppesen - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Kasturi Institute Of Management Studies - Coimbatore,India. Air link International Aviation College, Pasay City, Malaysia. IRC International, LLC - Guam. Aeronautical Institute of Bangladesh, Dhaka - Bangladesh etc.

In Europe, ETOPS Aviation Services, Toulouse - France. Jeppesen - Frankfurt, Germany. Malta School of Flying, Gudja - Malta. Pan Am International Flight Academy, West Sussex - UK.

I hope this piece of information can shape your decision to a flight dispatch career.