Aircraft Dispatcher

The Profession Aircraft Dispatcher

In the early years of aviation it was standard practice for pilots of commercial airlines to load mail, passengers, and cargo onto their commercial airlines and fly from point A to point B. They had no preplanned flight plan, little if any weather information or any firm plans of action in case conditions changed en route. After years of increasing accidents which were growing more costly in terms of equipment and lost lives, the state and federal authorities sought to put the industry on safer ground through regulation. In 1938, the congress of the united states passed the civil aeronautics act.

This act created an operational control structure consisting of a system of checks and balances which, one result of this regulatory action was the creation of a new airman certification, the aircraft dispatcher was created. The aircraft dispatcher is a ground based, certified individual who, according to the regulations, shares responsibility with the pilot for the safe conduct of each flight. The following is a listing of the responsibilities and duties of the aircraft dispatcher: Authorize, Regulate, Control and Monitor commercial airline flights according to government regulations, company policies and procedures to ensure optimum safety of operation of each flight.

FAA Eligibility Requirements, Experience (FAR 65.57)

To be eligible for the Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate, a person must:

  • Be at least 23 years of age.

  • Eligible to receive Letter of Competency at age of 21.

  • Minimum high school education or international equivalent.

Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English Language, or have an appropriate limitation placed on his or her certificate.

14CFR 65.57 An applicant for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate must present documentary evidence satisfactory to the administrator that he or she has the experience prescribed in any one of the following paragraphs:

(a) A total of at least two (2) years experience in the three (3) years before the date of application, in any one or in any combination of the following areas: (1) In military aircraft operations as: (i) Pilot (ii) Flight Navigator (iii) Meteorologist (2) In aircraft operations conducted under Part 121 of this chapter as: (i) An assistant in dispatching air carrier aircraft, under direct supervision of a dispatcher certificated under this part :(ii) Pilot (iii) A Flight Engineer (iv) A Meteorologist (3) In aircraft operations as: (i) An Air Traffic Controller; or (ii) A Flight Service Specialist (4) In aircraft operations, performing other duties that the Administrator finds provide equivalent experience. OR

(b) A statement of graduation issued or revalidated in accordance with 65.70(b) of this part, showing that the person has successfully completed an approved aircraft dispatcher course.

Initial Training
SB Aviation provides training for the certificate on an individual or group basis with a flexible schedule to meet the candidate's needs.

Recurrent Training

Recurrent training program for those who have been previously certificated. It consists of 30 hours and may be extended for the individuals that have been away from the field for a period of time.

Course Description

SB Aviation aircraft dispatcher course for 200 hours is FAA-approved. The FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Knowledge Test is usually scheduled during the first half of the program, and the FAA Practical Exam is scheduled following the successful completion of the course and after passing the ADX Knowledge Test. The material covered includes the requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 65, Subpart C and covers the following subject matter:

Meteorology (Basic & Advanced Aviation Weather Theory), Non-Graphic Weather, Graphic Weather, Aeronautical Information Manual, Instrument Approach Procedures, Navigation, Communications, Air Traffic Control, Federal Aviation Regulations, Aeronautical Charts, Practical Dispatching, Aircraft and Engine Performance, Systems and Limitations, Flight Planning.