Aircraft Dispatching and Thunderstorms

Admittedly, hate is a strong word, but thunderstorms are a frequent and often annoying occurrence that aircraft dispatchers must deal with as part of their daily lives. If prepared during their aircraft dispatcher courses, these aviation experts shouldn’t have much to worry about, except a few minor headaches.

Most see thunderstorms as beautiful; many people love to sleep during a thunderstorm, but not aircraft dispatchers. Aircraft dispatchers see thunderstorms as the same way a waiter or waitress sees a table of 10 seated just before closing. Sure, we know what to do, but it’s not going to be an easy, breezy day and can disrupt a lot of operations throughout the day.

There is a substantial amount of focus placed on weather patterns at Sheffield School of Aeronautics aircraft dispatcher courses, and rightly so. A thunderstorm may be a challenge for an aircraft dispatcher, but it is also a moment to rise to the occasion and prove his or her quality.

Thunderstorms Have Life Cycles

Weather is constantly changing; that’s why the forecast is different every 20 minutes and why everyone thinks the weatherman never has to be right. Aircraft dispatcher courses convey this idea that weather is monitored and predicted, but cannot be tamed.

Thunderstorms have life cycles: cumulus (the beginnings of the beast), mature (the wrath of the beast) and dissipating (the end of the beast). Although they cannot be controlled, understanding what can and cannot be done at each stage of development and also understanding the limitation of the planes (which you would have learned during your aircraft dispatcher course), will ultimately lead you to a successful career in aircraft dispatching.

Understanding the Thunderstorm

During the cumulus stage, there are updrafts. During the mature stage, there are a lot of heavy rains; and during the dissipating stage, the drafts turn downwards. Knowing how to navigate through the stages is what makes aircraft dispatching a craft that has to be mastered with precision, keeping the crew and travelers on board safe at all times.

Avoiding the Storm

No one likes turbulence; the flight crew, the passengers, and even aircraft dispatchers. That is why aircraft dispatchers do their best to plan thunderstorms into flight plans and routes when thunderstorms are predicted that week or month. Planning routes to avoid run-ins with thunderstorms is part of aircraft dispatching that the aircraft dispatcher courses at Sheffield School of Aeronautics teach very extensively.

It is important to note that you have to predict the thunderstorm and use your knowledge to divert airborne planes, as well as develop new routes for planes that have yet to depart.

Aircraft Dispatcher Training Has a Major Impact

Think back on your aircraft dispatcher courses and training. The words ‘hold’ and ‘divert’ will ring true, and if you are starting out as an aircraft dispatcher, absorb as much as you can about thunderstorms so that you can conquer scenarios with precision.

  • Contact Us

    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Testimonials

    “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 am so glad they are like this because it made me a better dispatcher and I really appreciate their high standards. I would highly recommend Sheffield to anyone who is willing to study hard and is serious about obtaining a Dispatcher Certificate.” MC MC
    “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
    “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.
    “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.” WG sidebar wg
    “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 ;)
    “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.” IW IW
    ” 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
    “If you want to be the best, first you need to be trained by the best!” P. Hill P.Hill – DHL
    “After receiving my certificate, I joined a class of 4 experienced dispatchers for Part 121 initial training. Without experience, my preparation at Sheffield enabled me to become active at the same time after the initial training.” PR PR
    “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
    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
    “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 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.” RW RW
    “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.” CD Sidebar CD
  • Online Catalog

    Sheffield Flight Dispatch Training Catalog

  • Connect