Aircraft Dispatchers Battle Severe Weather

 

Human beings have always had an affinity for severe weather. We react to it, are encompassed by it, or terrified of it, because it has an effect on us. But an aircraft dispatcher’s job requires them to battle it on an almost daily basis. All the aircraft dispatcher training, experience, and knowledge comes into play when dealing with severe weather. We take a look at the battle between aircraft dispatcher and hurricane below.

Aircraft dispatcher schools like Sheffield School of Aeronautics are training dispatchers to be meteorologists, statisticians, aviation experts, and logical thinkers. Whether it’s just another part of the day to day lives of Sheffield graduates. So how do aircraft dispatchers handle it?

Thunderstorms vs. Hurricanes vs. Blizzards 

A trained aircraft dispatcher knows the difference between a hurricane and thunderstorm, and how they affect airplanes. It’s their job to know how to spot, track, and deal with severe weather.  

Aircraft dispatcher training covers the knowledge needed to spot the potential development of thunderstorms, which can come suddenly and out of nowhere. It is also difficult to predict where a thunderstorm will be in a few hours. Most commercial flights are over 30,000 feet in the air, and thunderstorm clouds will reach anywhere from 30,000 to 75,000 feet in the air. This means you can’t just fly over them because they’re simply to high up in the atmosphere.  

Although hurricanes are somewhat more predictable than thunderstorms, it’s not by much. Hurricanes can change direction quickly, pick up speed, slow down, and disappear before they make landfall. An aircraft dispatcher’s job is to hold and divert in the case of quick forming hurricanes. It should be noted that aircraft dispatchers can, and will, cancel flights that are deemed too risky to continue.  

Blizzards wreak havoc on the systems of an aircraft at departure and arrival airports. Landing and taking off in blizzard conditions is unsafe. Thus, aircraft dispatchers and pilots will cancel flights as a safety concern.  

In Every Corner of the Earth 

An aircraft dispatcher may be based in Chicago, but he or she will know the weather all around the world. They may be monitoring a blizzard one day, while preparing for a thunderstorm the next. Head winds that develop off the coast of Africa may affect a flight in Europe, so knowing what is going on all over the world is something that an aircraft dispatcher must be keen to.  

Aircraft dispatcher training will instill a sense of awareness in students. An aircraft dispatcher is monitoring all weather systems that they know may affect a flight that’s hundreds of miles away. Logic and intuition come together, and it’s the aircraft dispatcher’s job to be on top to be continually planning for severe weather when necessary.  

Small Adjustments Make Big Differences 

A good aircraft dispatching school and a good aircraft dispatcher training program will make the difference between a good dispatcher and an excellent one. When adjusting flight plans to deal with severe weather, an excellent aircraft dispatcher will adjust the flight path to take advantage of winds and other systems that will increase the efficiency of the flight. Just a small example of how an aircraft dispatcher’s job can make a big difference in the overall quality of the flight.  

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    “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
    “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
    “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
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    “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
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    ” 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
    “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
    “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.” PT PT
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