For the most part, aircraft dispatchers either spend a short time as dispatchers or they have long-lasting careers. Some will hop around the aviation industry, and some will become private or sport pilots if they are not content with an air traffic dispatcher salary or any other reason they are looking for a career switch.
The common love for aviation and aptitude for technical calculations make the two very similar. Career dispatchers will usually get a pilot’s license to operate smaller passenger aircraft, but young dispatchers can make the jump straight to become a pilot.
If you asking yourself, “ can a flight dispatcher become a pilot?,” Sheffield School of Aeronautics is proud to say that aircraft dispatch is a good start for anyone who wants to become a pilot but is unsure, doesn’t have the funds, or wants to learn more about the aviation industry before committing.
Aircraft dispatcher jobs and pilot responsibilities are very similar, and they remain in contact throughout the flight.
Another reason why aircraft dispatchers eventually become pilots is because the knowledge base is similar. So, can a flight dispatcher become a pilot? Continue reading below to learn more.
How Long Do Jobs in Aviation Usually Last?
Can a flight dispatcher become a pilot? This depends entirely on how long you wish to be in this field. Careers in the aviation industry tend to be long-term, so it’s not typical for older pilots to land jobs as captains on major commercial airlines. A younger aircraft dispatcher may have more time, patience, and less family commitments to begin a career as a pilot.
Some airlines may support training and encourage an aircraft dispatcher to pursue a pilot’s license. Oftentimes, it’s up to the dispatcher to pay for training or use their own time to train, and then take the required certifications.
Having experience as an aircraft dispatcher will increase your chances of an airline hiring you as a pilot. It never hurts to have more experience to assist your career. Knowing the ins and outs of another major aspect of flying can be extremely beneficial for pilots.
Any prospective pilots who want to get a leg up on the competition should know that it’s also common for flight school graduates to apply for aircraft dispatcher jobs. Doing so is an attempt to “get their foot in the door”. However, this is ill advised if you plan on hounding chief captains for job opportunities, only to leave when a different opportunity comes up. When working with airlines, it’s easy to build a reputation on begging for a job, which is not an idea situation you want to find yourself in.
You can choose to go to school for aircraft dispatching and be patient before becoming a pilot. You may find it easier to get hired by a major airline as an aircraft dispatcher first, so higher ups can recognize your name when you decide to shoot for a pilot position.
If you already have an aircraft dispatch certification, you may already meet the age, education, and language requirements to begin your journey to become a pilot.
How to Become a Pilot after Being a Dispatcher
In order to take the next step and become a pilot you must:
Be cleared medically. You need a third-class medical certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner.
Pass the computerized aeronautical knowledge test (with a grade of 70% or higher).
Accumulate the required number of flight hours during training.
The good news is: you will already be comfortable on the cockpit because of your time on your FAM rides because you’re starting to accumulate hours.
Ask fellow aviation lovers for recommendations on flight lessons and speak to pilots for greater insight and advice.
For a recreational pilot license, you need:
30 hours of flight
15 hours of flight training (minimum 40-hour training for Sport License)
2 hours of flight training to an airport 25 NM away
3 hours of solo flight time
3 hours of flight training in preparation for the flight test within 60 days prior to the check ride
While you can pursue a recreational certificate, we recommend that any pilots in training pursue the Sport Pilot/LSA and get their private certificate. It will be a much more rewarding experience and the only real path to eventually becoming a commercial pilot, if that’s your end goal.
We hope that this guide will serve as a good starting point for your journey to fly the blue skies of the United States!
More About Sheffield School of Aeronautics and Our Aeronautics Jobs
So, can a flight dispatcher become a pilot? We hope that we answered this question in the article. If you are interested in a career in the aviation industry and do not where to start, learning to become a flight dispatcher at our aeronautics school is a good first step. This will get you acquainted with some aspects of flight classes that could be necessary in your future endeavors. Contact our aeronautical school today to learn more about about a your future career or our flight dispatcher salary today.
“Your school has offered me an incredible advantage in the Dispatcher job market.” D.K.D. Kircher
“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
“If you want to be the best, first you need to be trained by the best!” P. HillP.Hill – DHL
“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.
“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
” I have received 4 (job) offers…many of the interviews I have gotten have been because of my “pedigree”…going to Sheffield. I am amazed at the respect your school has….I am honored to be a graduate. Thank you for all the work you ..!” Testimonial – J. Ganci
“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
“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
“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
“I am a month into my new job at a airline coming out of reorganization, and am helping the training department by referencing the excellent and up to date course book provided to all Sheffield grads.” RWRW
“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 ;)
“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 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
“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
“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
Can a Flight Dispatcher Become a Pilot?
For the most part, aircraft dispatchers either spend a short time as dispatchers or they have long-lasting careers. Some will hop around the aviation industry, and some will become private or sport pilots if they are not content with an air traffic dispatcher salary or any other reason they are looking for a career switch.
The common love for aviation and aptitude for technical calculations make the two very similar. Career dispatchers will usually get a pilot’s license to operate smaller passenger aircraft, but young dispatchers can make the jump straight to become a pilot.
If you asking yourself, “ can a flight dispatcher become a pilot?,” Sheffield School of Aeronautics is proud to say that aircraft dispatch is a good start for anyone who wants to become a pilot but is unsure, doesn’t have the funds, or wants to learn more about the aviation industry before committing.
Aircraft dispatcher jobs and pilot responsibilities are very similar, and they remain in contact throughout the flight.
Another reason why aircraft dispatchers eventually become pilots is because the knowledge base is similar. So, can a flight dispatcher become a pilot? Continue reading below to learn more.
How Long Do Jobs in Aviation Usually Last?
Can a flight dispatcher become a pilot? This depends entirely on how long you wish to be in this field. Careers in the aviation industry tend to be long-term, so it’s not typical for older pilots to land jobs as captains on major commercial airlines. A younger aircraft dispatcher may have more time, patience, and less family commitments to begin a career as a pilot.
Some airlines may support training and encourage an aircraft dispatcher to pursue a pilot’s license. Oftentimes, it’s up to the dispatcher to pay for training or use their own time to train, and then take the required certifications.
Having experience as an aircraft dispatcher will increase your chances of an airline hiring you as a pilot. It never hurts to have more experience to assist your career. Knowing the ins and outs of another major aspect of flying can be extremely beneficial for pilots.
Any prospective pilots who want to get a leg up on the competition should know that it’s also common for flight school graduates to apply for aircraft dispatcher jobs. Doing so is an attempt to “get their foot in the door”. However, this is ill advised if you plan on hounding chief captains for job opportunities, only to leave when a different opportunity comes up. When working with airlines, it’s easy to build a reputation on begging for a job, which is not an idea situation you want to find yourself in.
You can choose to go to school for aircraft dispatching and be patient before becoming a pilot. You may find it easier to get hired by a major airline as an aircraft dispatcher first, so higher ups can recognize your name when you decide to shoot for a pilot position.
If you already have an aircraft dispatch certification, you may already meet the age, education, and language requirements to begin your journey to become a pilot.
How to Become a Pilot after Being a Dispatcher
In order to take the next step and become a pilot you must:
The good news is: you will already be comfortable on the cockpit because of your time on your FAM rides because you’re starting to accumulate hours.
Ask fellow aviation lovers for recommendations on flight lessons and speak to pilots for greater insight and advice.
For a recreational pilot license, you need:
While you can pursue a recreational certificate, we recommend that any pilots in training pursue the Sport Pilot/LSA and get their private certificate. It will be a much more rewarding experience and the only real path to eventually becoming a commercial pilot, if that’s your end goal.
We hope that this guide will serve as a good starting point for your journey to fly the blue skies of the United States!
More About Sheffield School of Aeronautics and Our Aeronautics Jobs
So, can a flight dispatcher become a pilot? We hope that we answered this question in the article. If you are interested in a career in the aviation industry and do not where to start, learning to become a flight dispatcher at our aeronautics school is a good first step. This will get you acquainted with some aspects of flight classes that could be necessary in your future endeavors. Contact our aeronautical school today to learn more about about a your future career or our flight dispatcher salary today.