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May 7, 2000

"After looking through all the aviation magazines, I contacted 5-6 schools. Some of the brochures looked as though they were running a school from their kitchen table.* What clinched my decision to settle on your school have been testimonial letters, job placement assistance, and reputation...I'm looking forward to the training."

A.M.-a future student who made the correct choice.

*Some schools won't even send materials out to you. You should always get a hard copy of all agreements.

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Something to think about

Any school can make any claim they want, including us. We recommend that you ask around and see which school name comes up the most for recommended training.

 

Still unsure?

Q: Why is Sheffield School the only school that recommends that you contact the airline industry professionals for school selection advice?

A: We don't fear the airline industry's answer.

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More to think about

When a school claims to have active dispatchers teaching, ask them the following:

Why don't you list them under "Staff?" Are they part-time or full-time?

If they are listed, find out if you can speak to them about the curriculum.

Request written testimonials from graduates concerning their instructors.

Ask the instructors "How many hours per week they teach?"

Do they teach coming off a midnight shift or going onto a day or night shift. If not, "can you guarantee that I'll have the same instructor for a majority of the course?"

Is part of your FAA-approved training curriculum conducted via computer? Why sell me on your instructors if THEY ARE NOT AROUND?

What is your instructor turnover per year?

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Continuity and familiarity with a professional instructor and support staff WITH a variety of prior aviation experience is the most effective way to facilitate learning.

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How do I apply for the course?

How to Select the Best School for You

There are a number of reasons that make Sheffield School of Aeronautics the most qualified Aircraft Dispatcher Training School in the world.

• HISTORY. We have been in the business of training aircraft dispatchers for nearly 60 years. That makes us the most experienced and highly reputed aircraft dispatcher school in the world. In fact, we've not only been training dispatchers longer than any other school in the world, we've been doing it longer than most other schools combined. We take our job seriously; there are no moonlighters, or absentee-owners at this school. Beware of ads claiming "Aviation experience for -- years." Schools should specify the actual number of years they've provided 198-hour (or more) Aircraft Dispatcher Training courses, not 2-day test prep courses, not correspondence courses, not flight training, and not 5-10 day accelerated courses. All of the aforementioned may have some merit, but not in the same context as full FAA-approved certification courses. Check a school's history. Has there ever been a name change in the school's "selective" history? Why? Any incidents? Any investigations? Any violations?

• We employ only full-time aviation instructors. Our 60 years of experience in the field of training has taught us a few things too....the most important lesson we've learned is that students are more likely to achieve success in a training environment run by full-time, dedicated training professionals, rather than frequently changing part-time instructors with jobs and priorities elsewhere. Over the last 2 decades, we have tried every instructional approach possible to maximize effectiveness. We deduced through our own observations that the best instructor is an intelligent, quick-thinking, and entertaining individual. If an instructor has airline experience; wonderful. If they can't get the point across to the students in a professional manner; they can apply to other schools, but will not remain at ours. We have assisted airlines in rewriting their own operations manuals as well as assisted them with technical questions. We have, as well as our graduates have noticed an incredible amount of misinformation that has infiltrated the industry. This is the information that is typically debated throughout dispatch offices in this country. We find it so fulfilling when our graduates report back to us about how well-prepared they are for airline training. Why do we have some graduates from other schools request to sit through International flight planning, ETOPS, EWINS, or simply get refresher training? Why don't they return to their own schools?

  From our own observations on practical exams, as well as graduate and airline feedback, we've confirmed over the years that our professional instructors consistently produce the most knowledgeable graduates. The hiring airlines continue to confirm what we know as a fact. Some of our favorite quotes from some of our past interviewers (after "quizzing" our students) are: 

What is sometimes more astonishing is the fact that many interviews are held during the first half of the course, prior to a students' full exposure to dispatch scenarios. This is a testimony of the real-life scenarios that are instructed at our school instead of the theory-only basics you may receive at a substandard school.

• Full-time employees. Currently, ALL of our instructors are full-time employees of Sheffield School. If a student needs help after class, they will receive it from either the instructor or the President - our instructors won't leave for work in the early afternoon only to leave you alone or in a "study group". Our profession requires us to educate and train motivated individuals using the most up-to-date information and technology available. We don't moonlight as educators and instructors. We also don't sit by and watch advancements pass us by; our course is in a constant state of flux. Our school doesn't rest in a protective bubble from the outside world; we dispatch ourselves to major airlines as well as "regional" airlines to develop and present an overall comprehensive, wide variety of dispatch techniques. We do not teach with a "blinders-on" approach. No matter what airline hires you (large or small), you will be prepared for that company's initial training. Your Sheffield Diploma guarantees it! 

"After graduating from Sheffield...I have found that I have greater knowledge than many people who have been in the business for years."

Jim Johnson, Graduate
(Currently, at Southwest Airlines)

[Words indicative of Sheffield School's training objectives- to go above and beyond the "minima", to give students the solid foundation to continue the learning process, and to show respect to a career that demands it - The Airline Dispatcher.]

• We have provided contract training for Delta Air Lines. The reason is simple--we are the industry-recognized World Leader in the field of Aircraft Dispatcher Training. Our training product has been refined for 60 years, it works, and it produces consistent superior results.

• Sheffield School's curriculum is overseen by a Program Advisory Board. The following aviation industry representatives serve as advisors with regard to course content and curriculum. This process ensures that Sheffield graduates continue to meet or exceed the expectations of those who would hire them. The Advisory Board members are:

• Sheffield School was the FIRST Aircraft Dispatch Training Facility to offer ETOPS training. This course has been in great demand for the last few years. Our students are exposed to basics as well as advanced practical concepts and applied situations that cannot be thoroughly inserted into our 6-week course without sacrificing sections of our classic course. We refuse to compromise our integrity and skim over material. This course is no 5 hour quickie overview; we'll end when the class is comfortable with and capable of producing and analyzing a multitude of practical flight plans with hypothetical scenarios discussed. Like the AIFP, you also get a live instructor; not CBT "on-your-own" training.

• Sheffield School was the FIRST Aircraft Dispatch Training Facility to offer Advanced International Flight Planning training. This course was not rushed into existence as an afterthought. It took Eric Morris approximately 5 years to outline what would benefit the student most in a 2-3 day period. For Sheffield to insert these advanced techniques and concepts along with an ETOPS course together in a compressed 4-6 hour overview course would be an injustice to our students, and a compromise to our integrity and reputation. You get what you pay for.
  

Approved for Veterans Training

• Sheffield School has placed more graduates in rewarding careers with the airlines than any other school in the world. In fact, we are confident that we have placed more graduates in the industry than all the other schools combined. Many times, our graduates are hired without a formal interview. Airlines realize which school produces graduates who have earned their license through hard work. They also know which schools hand out licenses to unqualified students, which schools guarantee licenses to students who have previously failed Aircraft Dispatcher courses, and which schools' graduates are so underprepared that they cannot pass airline initial training.
  
  It seems that the diploma from Sheffield is enough for most airlines. From two of our respected Graduates:

 "I had over 12 interviews and job offers around the country and every interview I went on I was told that they called because they saw I was trained at Sheffield. Sheffield is a very respected name in this business."

"I've been amazed by how many of these companies have said that they will only hire Sheffield graduates. Your reputation and training is second to none! Thank You!" 

 

• Sheffield School has taught hundreds of FAA and ICAO-sponsored students and continues to do so. This is a fact; however, the FAA (as a whole) is not in a position to favor one school over another. In fact, it is against FAA policy. Various schools may provide training for FAA factions or individuals. Be wary of claims that only one school controls FAA training. We've even refused the FAA training that one school claims to have been awarded. Sheffield has, in the past, refused training if we felt that (minimal length) accelerated courses would be an inappropriate route to a license.

  Sheffield School was the first aviation school to be approved by the FAA for Aircraft Dispatcher Training.

We actually pre-date the FAA.

• Sheffield School offers free Refresher Training for our graduates as well as free Technical Support. For how long? As long as you'd like - forever is an appropriate word since this school has no plans to discontinue training. This has been offered by us longer than most dispatch schools have been in business. We also love to take any technical questions (on "gray" areas) that may arise at work. We've fielded calls from the smallest of companies to largest air carriers. Remember - you'll find us at Sheffield School and nowhere else.

• Sheffield School has trained (or actually retrained) a small number of GRADUATES of other schools and continues to receive requests for recurrent/refresher training from GRADUATES of other schools. This speaks for itself.

   

  "I will fax my résumé over this morning. Have a great day! By the way, I am aware of the rivalry between ----- and Sheffield. After having the opportunity of working with a few Sheffield graduates, I realized what a better program Sheffield offers. Go figure!"

  Thanks,

  -----

  From a former instructor at that "unnamed school" who applied for a teaching position at Sheffield.

• Sheffield School is the first school to be awarded U.S. Air Force training to be given onsite. We also recently trained students from the Pacific Air Forces. See our Newsletter.

• INTEGRITY. A school can only remain in business and maintain their stellar reputation by being trustworthy and providing quality service. We provide our students with an outstanding education. They are not spoon-fed questions and answers for 6 weeks to simply memorize 2 standardized tests. We charge approximately $4,000 for the student to receive an education. In the process, they develop the skills to not only pass the standardized tests, but ALSO the Sheffield tests. These tests develop problem-solving skills and speedy decision making. When you enter Airline initial training, you will be prepared. What good is an unearned license that was promised to you or guaranteed to you, if you have been under-prepared and may fail within the airline?
  
  Prior to and following graduation, we'll support you in your job search and technical support when you have a problem. You can't receive this continued "lifetime" support from a school that has had FAA violations, investigations, suspensions, or shutdowns. Some schools will not be around long - certainly not 59 years or more.
  
• Committment to the airline industry. We have made a promise to the airline industry. That promise is to produce the most qualified, and prepared graduates that enter the job market. We do not believe in handing under-qualified students to the airlines. We guarantee that those students passing our course have earned their license. Many airlines have seen the light and have complained vigorously about uneducated graduates who must be "reprogrammed" because of inadequate education.
  
• Testimonials - No school can match the quality and quantity of our student/graduate and airline testimonials.
  
• Our Facilities - We don't teach out of a garage. We don't instruct out of a hotel room. We don't rent conference rooms on a part-time basis. We provide pictures, including 3-D tours of our facilities. Nothing is hidden from view. You're welcome to tour our facilities if you'd like.
  
• Free training. Do you really want to pay $500.00 to $5,000.00 for FAA standardized Knowledge test preparation? You can purchase a book and CD for approximately $25 - $50 to prepare yourself for passing the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Knowledge (ADX) test. Some schools prepare very well for the test. Extremely well. So well that you may spend at least half of your class time (and tuition) on something that you could have accomplished yourself. That leaves only a small portion of the course (what your tuition really goes for) to cover practical concepts. How much are we against this type of training? We spent hundreds of hours coding and testing our series of Online FAA test preparation modules. Currently, we have a majority of the questions and diagrams from the government ADX test-prep book uploaded in a modular test format. It is NOT password-protected. It is FREE for everyone, whether they are attending our school or not. THAT is how much we are against teaching standardized tests. We'll give it away. In the future, we will develop instructional modules to assist the students even more.

• Sheffield School of Aeronautics is the Industry-recognized World Leader in the field of Aircraft Dispatcher Training. It's a simple undisputed fact: we've been doing it longer, better, and with greater success than any other school in the world. We've trained more airline personnel than any other school. As a result, our graduates are unquestionably regarded as the most highly qualified, most highly trained, and most likely to succeed in the industry by the airlines that hire them. Just ask our Graduates, as well as the Airlines (who only prefer prepared graduates).

• We use real world learning tools. Some schools will only allow their students the opportunity to use government publications in their courses. These materials are inexpensive, but the airlines use many other publications with different formats. And they expect you to understand how to use them before you arrive on Day 1.

• Run a Cost comparison. (This is very enlightening.)

Contact us at:

499 NW 70th Ave Suite 110
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33317 - USA
Tel 800-843-8289, 954-581-6022
Fax 954-584-8980
email morris@sheffield.com