So, what is the true difference between an airline dispatcher and an airline pilot, if both have extremely important roles in the aircraft?
The first difference between a flight dispatcher and an airline pilot is that the dispatcher does not actually fly a plane – that’s the job of the airline pilot.
An airline dispatcher is responsible for:
Knowing the different types of regulations of airline flight planning and coordinating
Safe fuel planning systems, like knowing how much fuel goes into an aircraft for long destinations and how much fuel the plane needs until it can stop and re-fuel
Sticking to FAA guidelines
Knowing what kind of weather is going to occur, and other meteorology factors
A pilot reads the weather packages before the release of the plane, or maybe they take a glance at what the weather is looking like on their smartphone. But it is the airline dispatcher that feeds all the weather information to the airline pilot, as well as providing them with what routes to take.
An airline dispatcher also talks to multiple departments to make sure everything is flowing in the right direction, compared to an airline pilot who simply deals with one group at a time.
Pilots, however, must go through rigorous training at a flight school, and they are constantly learning – it never stops. An airline dispatcher must also attend an aeronautics school to learn flight dispatcher training.
A pilot and dispatcher must understand each other and speak the same language. It is the flight dispatcher, though, who makes sure the pilot gets to their proper destination, as well as formulating a backup plan if the pilot runs into bad weather.
Airline pilots and airline dispatchers must both work together as a team – one is needed for the other, and they both can’t operate without one another. After going to flight dispatcher training school, most airline dispatchers work for a bit, and then go on to be pilots in the future.
However, if you are interested in learning more information about our aeronautics school for airline dispatching, you can always contact us to learn more.
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“I entered my profession, with more knowledge and information than dispatchers who have been practicing their craft for more than ten years. Not only has Sheffield provided a top notch education, but they have also instilled in me the confidence to succeed.” A.Z.Sidebar AZ – Student Testimonial
“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
“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.
“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
“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
“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
“now that I’ve been in an indoctrination class with students from other schools, I know I made the right choice with Sheffield.” Kindest regards, A.R. All schools are created equal?! yeah…sure ;)
“If you want to be the best, first you need to be trained by the best!” P. HillP.Hill – DHL
“I am a graduate of the Sheffield’s Dispatcher Program. I have been a Captain-Part 121 Airline, Certified Flight/Grnd Instructor, and FAA Designated Check Airman and Sim Instructor (Part 121). From my experience I would rate Sheffield School as outstanding in their field.” PTPT
“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
“As a graduate of Sheffield School of Aeronautics I am a firm believer that I received the most thorough and well thought out aircraft dispatcher training available. I owe my position in the industry to Sheffield School of Aeronautics.” BFSidebar BF
“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
Flight Dispatcher vs. Airline Pilot
So, what is the true difference between an airline dispatcher and an airline pilot, if both have extremely important roles in the aircraft?
The first difference between a flight dispatcher and an airline pilot is that the dispatcher does not actually fly a plane – that’s the job of the airline pilot.
An airline dispatcher is responsible for:
A pilot reads the weather packages before the release of the plane, or maybe they take a glance at what the weather is looking like on their smartphone. But it is the airline dispatcher that feeds all the weather information to the airline pilot, as well as providing them with what routes to take.
An airline dispatcher also talks to multiple departments to make sure everything is flowing in the right direction, compared to an airline pilot who simply deals with one group at a time.
Pilots, however, must go through rigorous training at a flight school, and they are constantly learning – it never stops. An airline dispatcher must also attend an aeronautics school to learn flight dispatcher training.
A pilot and dispatcher must understand each other and speak the same language. It is the flight dispatcher, though, who makes sure the pilot gets to their proper destination, as well as formulating a backup plan if the pilot runs into bad weather.
Airline pilots and airline dispatchers must both work together as a team – one is needed for the other, and they both can’t operate without one another. After going to flight dispatcher training school, most airline dispatchers work for a bit, and then go on to be pilots in the future.
However, if you are interested in learning more information about our aeronautics school for airline dispatching, you can always contact us to learn more.