Become an Aircraft Dispatcher

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Aircraft Dispatcher Delta OCC

Sheffield graduate Kerry Jones at work in the Delta Ops Center

As the oldest aircraft dispatcher school in the country, we know a thing or two about getting your aircraft dispatcher license and what to expect in the dispatcher career field. An FAA licensed aircraft dispatcher can be described as “the captain on the ground.” When you become an aircraft dispatcher, you will find yourself in one of the most important jobs at an airline. While the pilot is responsible for his or her one particular flight, the aircraft dispatcher is responsible for multiple flights at the same time.

Aircraft Dispatcher Job Description

If you are interested in flight dispatcher training, you should know exactly what a flight dispatcher career entails. The aircraft dispatcher shares responsibility for the flight with the captain. Both are required to sign the Dispatch Release before the flight can legally operate.

The dispatcher is responsible for planning the flight. They will take into consideration the weather, any maintenance problems on the aircraft, navigational facilities at the appropriate airports, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS), and alternate airport options. They will also exercise flight following while the flight is in progress and maintain communication with their flights. If there are any significant changes that would affect the safety of the flight, dispatchers will be the ones who are responsible for notifying the captain. The aircraft dispatcher will delay or cancel a flight when necessary and make any other operational decisions required to ensure the safety of the flight.

Most airlines will have a centrally located dispatch office that controls all flights of that particular airline. As an example, United Airlines has a dispatch office is in Chicago, Delta Air Lines has an office in Atlanta, and Endeavor Air is in Minneapolis. The dispatch department has historically been one of the best places in the airlines for promotions. The department has control over the operations of the airline, and consequently, you are generally in close contact with the senior officers of the company. The dispatcher has always been an important individual in the operation of an airline and will certainly continue to be so in the future.

 

A view inside Endeavor Air's Operational Control Center

A view inside Endeavor Air’s Operational Control Center

Benefits of An Aircraft Dispatcher Career

It is well known that employees of airlines receive significant benefits. Aircraft dispatchers get many of those benefits as well. Typically, dispatchers have world-wide flight privileges for not only themselves but family members as well. Additionally, something most people do not experience is the ability to ride in the cockpit jump seat, a seat for authorized individuals who are not taking part in operation of the aircraft. Below you’ll find many of the common benefits you can receive when you become an aircraft dispatcher.

(These benefits can vary, but the list below covers many common perks.)

  • Cockpit jump seat authority
  • Reduced-rates or free travel privileges
  • Life/health/dental/disability insurance
  • Hotel discounts
  • Paid/discounted holidays/vacations
  • Retirement plans
  • Rental car discounts
  • Cruise line discounts
  • Savings/credit unions
  • Stock purchase options

Our aeronautics school can help you become an aircraft dispatcher. For more information our dispatcher programs or if you would like to speak with a Sheffield School of Aeronautics administrator, contact us at +1 954-581-6022

 

A view inside Endeavor Air's Operational Control Center Aircraft dispatcher desk

The Airline Dispatcher’s typical view

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  • Testimonials

    “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
    “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
    “Being that half my new hire class dropped out over the course of training, I can confidently say that Sheffield helped to prepare me for the real world.” GT – abridged testimonial – school selection matters
    “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
    “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
    “If you want to be the best, first you need to be trained by the best!” P. Hill P.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.” PT PT
    “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 ;)
    “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
    “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
    “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.
    “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.” BF Sidebar BF
    “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 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
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