Featured in the magazine:
Airline Management Decisions 2000
Aeronautics training provided by training schools and by airlines does not always correspond. Examination of the differences to reduce the gaps and improve training would be beneficial to trainers and their pupils. Eric Morris – Sheffield School of Aeronautics
The Gap
Aircraft Dispatcher or Flight Control Officer training has traditionally consisted of ab initio (certification), initial, transition and recurrent training courses. A school such as ours usually conducts ab initio training, while other training courses are conducted by the airlines. Unfortunately, a gap exists between ab initio training and airline initial training. This is due to the wider curriculum requirements for Dispatcher schools as compared to specific airline instructional goals. Although a gap will always exist, the mutual objectives of training schools and airlines should be to reduce or bridge the gap by utilizing the latest technology to facilitate the learning process and to communicate with each other to determine necessary improvements.
Constructing the Bridge
In the last two years, our training facility has provided simulated flight control workstations for students. In addition, students are exposed to an array of technological and visual tools to facilitate their learning, including real-time weather and flight planning software. We offer a first-look beta testing of our Dispatch Simulator where students can problem-solve a flight scenario and monitor the flight progress through live Aircraft Situation Display. They also have access to our customized Dispatch Toolkit – an electronic view of world maps, airport configurations, weather minima, climatology, conversion tables, and MEL restrictions.
Although Dispatch schools are not required to expose AB initio students to this array of visual aids, schools should avoid the minimalist approach to training and pursue progress. Challenging and testing your students are ways to show respect to an industry and profession that demands it. Schools should not undermine the airlines by licensing people who are unqualified.
Use Caution
Unfortunately, technological advances may yield complacency. Occasionally, manual flight planning is considered too long or obsolete. Our students are not ‘button-pushers-to-be’. They are training to become an important link in the airline operational control chain. Emphasis during AB initio or airline training must first be placed on the manual basics. It is difficult to effectively brief a crew member or oncoming dispatcher if your educational foundation is weak. A computer flight plan printout may require some clarification to the pilot-in-command:
Is it a route/altitude deviation required due to jet stream migration? Are you filing a distant alternate for the destination for a particular reason?
Is an additional alternate being filed due to a low TAF, or decreasing trends in the sequence reports?
What are the specific reasons for today’s excessive holding fuel?
Was driftdown the reason behind filing an alternate to the east of the route today?
What good is planning to climb above reported significant weather it the dispatcher neglects the effects of takeoff gross weight, warmer temperature conditions, and tailwinds? The lists of scenarios, restrictions, quirks, and ‘gotchas’ are endless.
A pilot may refuse a release based on a variety of factors, which could potentially turn the flight into a ‘careless and reckless’ operation. Possible operational alternatives may always be objectively discussed, but only if the dispatcher and the pilot in command respect each other’s opinion. This mutual respect must be earned and is virtually impossible without a strong, well-balanced educational foundation. Since programming human judgment into a computer is not currently possible, the dispatch system, with its checks and balances, must continue to flourish. To enable it to do so productively and positively, basic and manual concepts, as well as practical applications must be emphasized and effectively balanced with the technological tools of today and tomorrow.
“These men represented the highest caliber of professionalism and integrity. The education I received from these gentleman has afforded me to be gainfully employed while having the opportunity to use the education received, all over this country, and more than a few others.” WGsidebar wg
“This school came highly recommended by multiple past students and EVEN OTHERS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS. Reputation is fantastic from multiple companies that I have worked for.”A. – September 2020
“Sheffield School of Aeronautics is a highly recognized and respected organization throughout the airline industry. They only produce the highest quality of graduate…” P.W.Sidebar PW
“I wanted to tell you I got the job offer from Expressjet, and start next month! I think a couple others from class were hired as well. It just shows the Sheffield reputation when I see graduates from other schools complaining that they can’t get an interview – I wasn’t even back home to Minneapolis […]Dan Gustafson
“Their reputation of excellence amongst the industry is second to none. Sheffield School of Aeronautics should be seen as the standard of how it can be done and how it should be done. I was hired at a major airline with no dispatch experience.” A.Z.Sidebar AZ
“As a graduate of the aircraft dispatcher program at the Sheffield School of Aeronautics…My training was intense and thorough and furnished me with the requisite skills for performing my current job as a Flight Dispatch Supervisor.” N.S.Sidebar NS
“Sheffield School of Aeronautics is known worldwide for its quality training and has been recommended to me by our national airline Swiss International Airlines. Whenever I mention the name ‘Sheffield’ it rings a bell in people’s ears.” IWIW
“Going to Sheffield prepared me for the real world challenges of Aircraft Dispatching. I certainly believe that the method Sheffield used is one not only for success in a real world career, but also one that prepares students to correctly dispatch aircraft.” T.Z.Sidebar TZ
“This was an amazing class! Always interesting! It was like drinking from a fire hose, but I have never enjoyed a course more than this one. Thank you for a great 5 weeks & EWINS!” R.S.R.S. Testimonial – 5-weeks & EWINS
“Your school has offered me an incredible advantage in the Dispatcher job market.” D.K.D. Kircher
“My experience at Sheffield and my exposure to other aircraft dispatchers that did not go to Sheffield has resulted in an awareness of the superior depth and quality of the training provided by the Sheffield instructors.” CDSidebar CD
“While touring my company’s dispatch department before I had my license our OCC manager pointed out that 7 of the 10 dispatchers on shift had come from Sheffield. The overall consensus was that Sheffield grads were able to hit the ground running as they were better prepared.” K.O.Sidebar K.O.
Good afternoon Eric, I wanted to reach out to let you know that training at (airline) is in full swing and I couldn’t be happier that I chose Sheffield. My classmates, while very smart, definitely had subpar training and that has been very evident. I have waited to write a full scale review of the […]Attending Sheffield School benefits airline new hires in preparation for airline training
“Eric Morris is one of the most if not the most knowledgeable and experienced authorities on Aircraft Dispatching in the United States. He strives constantly to make the industry better.” DHsidebar DH
Bridging The Training Gap
Featured in the magazine:
Airline Management Decisions 2000
Aeronautics training provided by training schools and by airlines does not always correspond. Examination of the differences to reduce the gaps and improve training would be beneficial to trainers and their pupils. Eric Morris – Sheffield School of Aeronautics
The Gap
Aircraft Dispatcher or Flight Control Officer training has traditionally consisted of ab initio (certification), initial, transition and recurrent training courses. A school such as ours usually conducts ab initio training, while other training courses are conducted by the airlines. Unfortunately, a gap exists between ab initio training and airline initial training. This is due to the wider curriculum requirements for Dispatcher schools as compared to specific airline instructional goals. Although a gap will always exist, the mutual objectives of training schools and airlines should be to reduce or bridge the gap by utilizing the latest technology to facilitate the learning process and to communicate with each other to determine necessary improvements.
Constructing the Bridge
In the last two years, our training facility has provided simulated flight control workstations for students. In addition, students are exposed to an array of technological and visual tools to facilitate their learning, including real-time weather and flight planning software. We offer a first-look beta testing of our Dispatch Simulator where students can problem-solve a flight scenario and monitor the flight progress through live Aircraft Situation Display. They also have access to our customized Dispatch Toolkit – an electronic view of world maps, airport configurations, weather minima, climatology, conversion tables, and MEL restrictions.
Although Dispatch schools are not required to expose AB initio students to this array of visual aids, schools should avoid the minimalist approach to training and pursue progress. Challenging and testing your students are ways to show respect to an industry and profession that demands it. Schools should not undermine the airlines by licensing people who are unqualified.
Use Caution
Unfortunately, technological advances may yield complacency. Occasionally, manual flight planning is considered too long or obsolete. Our students are not ‘button-pushers-to-be’. They are training to become an important link in the airline operational control chain. Emphasis during AB initio or airline training must first be placed on the manual basics. It is difficult to effectively brief a crew member or oncoming dispatcher if your educational foundation is weak. A computer flight plan printout may require some clarification to the pilot-in-command:
Is it a route/altitude deviation required due to jet stream migration? Are you filing a distant alternate for the destination for a particular reason?
Is an additional alternate being filed due to a low TAF, or decreasing trends in the sequence reports?
What are the specific reasons for today’s excessive holding fuel?
Was driftdown the reason behind filing an alternate to the east of the route today?
What good is planning to climb above reported significant weather it the dispatcher neglects the effects of takeoff gross weight, warmer temperature conditions, and tailwinds? The lists of scenarios, restrictions, quirks, and ‘gotchas’ are endless.
A pilot may refuse a release based on a variety of factors, which could potentially turn the flight into a ‘careless and reckless’ operation. Possible operational alternatives may always be objectively discussed, but only if the dispatcher and the pilot in command respect each other’s opinion. This mutual respect must be earned and is virtually impossible without a strong, well-balanced educational foundation. Since programming human judgment into a computer is not currently possible, the dispatch system, with its checks and balances, must continue to flourish. To enable it to do so productively and positively, basic and manual concepts, as well as practical applications must be emphasized and effectively balanced with the technological tools of today and tomorrow.