Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:12:51
Subject: Re: Sheffield followup: Southern Air

Eric,

My career as an aviation professional has been a rewarding experience and the number of opportunities available to me have a direct relation to my decision to attend Sheffield above all other certification programs. After a year of part 121 dispatching at a regional airline, the skills provided by the FAA Dispatcher Certification Course provided me with the knowledge and confidence to perform my duties to the best of my ability with an attention to detail, safety and efficiency. The curriculum served me very well at the outset and continues to do so today.

It has always been my career goal as a dispatcher to work international routes on heavy jet aircraft. It was with this in mind that I completed the Advanced International Flight Planning and ETOPS workshops right after graduation. Today I'm pleased to report that this goal will be achieved in my employment with Southern Air where I will dispatch flights throughout the world on 747 and 777 aircraft, and I couldn't be any happier.

When the position had been posted, the airline stated that they would accept completion of the AIFP/ETOPS workshops in lieu of international dispatch experience. Of course, their confidence in the curriculum likely had something to do with the fact that their Chief Pilot and Director of Systems Operations attended the workshops personally. With this in mind, I can say with some confidence that had I gone elsewhere for my dispatch training this would not have been an opportunity available to me at this stage of my career.

I would strongly encourage incoming students to complete the International workshops offered at Sheffield. Even though I didn't have cause to use the information in my first job at a regional, the information covered in the binders not only bolstered a drive I had to make this my career goal but it obviously was impressive enough for my new employer to consider me a worthy candidate capable of meeting the challenges and complexities that international flight planning presents. Having left the binders on the shelf for quite a while, as I prepare myself for the task at hand I nonetheless find the material clear, concise, engaging and very useful in bringing myself back up to speed. I have no doubt that after I revisit the coursework in its entirety that it will prove to be as valuable as the curriculum of the Dispatcher Certification Course has been.

Thanks very much and, to whomever else may read this, go to Sheffield - a world of opportunity awaits.

-K.M. - Southern Air

2/12/10
Overall, a really professional school and I'll definitely recommend it. Deserved all the compliments that I heard before coming here. S.A.

1/20/08 4:38 PM

"...I am still in the dispatch world working for ---- Airlines out of ---. It is more challenging than my previous job with ----, as now I dispatch 737s, 757s, and 767s all over the world. Other new hires have been assigned domestic flights only, while I have advanced to international flights. I attribute this to the excellent training I received at Sheffield..."
Thanks again,
T.W. June 07 class

10/1/10
I really liked the ETOPS and AIFP! S.

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"The instructor was very prepared and up to date on the material. (The) slides and information that were handed out worked well. The excercises we did in class brought the text information together as a complete package. The course will help us develop the programnecessary for our company to be approved for ETOPS. Many Thanks!"
W.C. - Chief Pilot-Southern Air/Sheffield ETOPS Graduate - October 2009

"This course was excellent. (Instructor) was very knowledgeable on ETOPS policy and practical applications."
P.C. - Director of System Operations-Southern Air/Sheffield ETOPS Graduate - October 2009

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EWINS: (course page has dozens more)

11/25/2009
This workshop has taken my knowledge of weather to the next level. I feel confident I will be able to operate at a significantly higher level of safety and accuuracy. The instructor is an extremely gifted and knowledgable teacher! A.S.

Sheffield note: Graduate above was 1 of 4 hired by SkyWest over 200 other applicants - A.S. was fresh out of school. Most of the applicants had prior dispatch experience.

5/28/10
It has been a great experience. I improved my 'know-how'. I found the EWINS course very interesting and all additional theory about weather-that it's changed the way I see the sky! Thank you! G.C.

"Awesome presentation. The instructors are very knowledgeable and will go the extra mile to get you the answer you are looking for. I would advise anyone who doesn't understand how weather works to take EWINS."
(2005, J.L. Sheffield Graduate)

"Outstanding as it blended so well with the information taught during the 6 week course!"
Dr. Michael Upton
Sheffield Graduate/EWINS - September 2001

"This is a MUST course!"
D.D. - Active Dispatcher/Sheffield EWINS Graduate - December 2006

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AIFP/ETOPS/EWINS (all 3):

2/12/10
It has been great! With a lot of information to depend on and use at the work place. G.

2/12/10
Compared to 1993/1994, the workshops have improved further. Great job! C.V. (attending free refresher training.)

2/4/10
All the workshops were very informative. N.A.

2009
"I waited and saved up 2 years worth of vacation days to do this course (and all 3 workshops). IT WAS WORTH IT!" M.B.

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