*Coronavirus/COVID-19 Update*

April 8, 2021

We’ve been (understandably) receiving many questions regarding the school class schedule, online training, and industry outlook.

Questions such as the following have been asked numerous times.

“I’ve been wanting to take the DL+5 (distance-learning) course for some time now. How are the classes being managed during this pandemic?”

“Would I be able to take the DL portion now, and schedule the residency in the future without knowing when the crisis is over?”

“What’s the job outlook for dispatchers?”

“Are you still accepting international (Non-US) students?”

Below should help ease your concerns and answer your questions.

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation daily. 


Class Schedules:
As of right now, we shall operate all scheduled future classes. The April 12, 2021 5-week class is still scheduled as well as the upcoming 3-week, 2-week, and 5-day classes that follow 2-4 months of online training, respectively.  We expect all 2021 classes to operate normally, as they have been during all of 2020. We also have multiple contingency plans prepared to meet any situation.


Class management & precautionary steps:
All of the normal and reasonable precautions are being taken in our offices and the classrooms. These include, but are not limited to, appropriate distancing between students in the classroom, taking disinfection measures, using hand sanitizer stations, and following rules about congregating/social distancing during breaks. We’ve used the same safety measures consistently and successfully during 2020 and will continue to use these procedures during 2021. Appropriate adjustments, including temporary distance learning with email assistance, may be utilized if they become necessary. (We strongly recommend to bring a mobile device such as a laptop or tablet.)


Future arriving students: 
We will also send out a set of procedures that all students must adhere to in order to prevent any health issues within our office and classrooms.


Future arriving international students: 
Yes, non-US students are welcome! If a M-1 student visa is required, we will send you the required I-20 form. Sheffield is SEVIS-approved and have welcomed international students for decades. We do; however, recommend that all students review the latest travel restrictions since they change often. These include any COVID-19 testing requirements before air travel, visa restrictions, and more.


Distance Learning & postponed Phase 2 arrivals:
For students who have worked online or plan to work online, we still recommend attending Phase 2 (in classroom) as normally scheduled following your online training; however, we understand if you would prefer to postpone your arrival. We can be flexible. Generally, we prefer that the Phase 2 students arrive within a month of completing Phase 1 (online), but now we are extending that ‘preference’ to 3 months. There’s no hard rule on this right now, but we feel uneasy if there is a long pause between both phases, since it’s less likely that the student will be as proficient with the understanding of the material completed online. Therefore, if we feel the postponement is too lengthy, we may require some additional online work or reviews (at NO extra cost) that would need to be completed prior to your arrival. We can set this up on a case-by-case basis, and is simply designed to help you. Additionally, you should always have either access to Phase 1 while you wait or at least enough downloadable documents to help you review.


Industry outlook:
Being a 73-year institution we have seen a lot: recession cycles, 9/11’s effects on the industry, etc.. but one thing is for certain – there is always a rebound, and often a very strong rebound. And those students who prepare earlier rather than later tend to catch the hiring wave. Keep in mind that once obtained, the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher certificate does not expire. We offer free in-person and online refresher training to our graduates, job interview tips, resume help, and our own unlimited-use ADX test prep app, so graduates can prepare for their interviews.

March 5, 2021 note: It looks like the industry is slowly picking up. Sheffield just posted multiple job openings within the past few weeks for the position of Aircraft Dispatcher, including 2 on March 4th. 

Feel free to ask for updates at any time – it is never a bother. We shall do our utmost to assist you before, during, and after your stay at Sheffield School of Aeronautics. 

Example:

October 19, 2020
 
Dear Eric,
 
Hello, I just wanted to check in now that it has been a few months since being at Sheffield. I applied for the dispatcher position that you posted for National Airlines and found out last Thursday I got the job! I start November 2. I am so excited! Thank you for having such a great program that helped prepare me to be able to get such a great position at a great company. I appreciate everything you have done for me and am very excited for the future! 
 
Best regards,
 
M. Laughlin 
National Airlines

November 1, 2020 followup from National

Thank you for your feedback on the students. We are very happy to announce that 3 Sheffield students (2 with no prior dispatch experience) have successfully made the cut for the Aircraft Dispatcher position at National Airlines. 
 
They will start their Initial Dispatch training class in our Orlando HQ from tomorrow.  

(They are:)
M.L.
T.M.
B.L.
 
Warm regards to everyone at Sheffield. 
 
P.K. – (Assistant Director SOC/ National Airlines

and this just in (april 8, 2021)!

Often, Sheffield grads are hiring Sheffield grads, which is why attending a 73-year institution with the largest networking of all schools is usually the best choice, during difficult times or during normal times.

Best Regards,

Eric Morris
President
Sheffield School of Aeronautics (est. 1948) – www.sheffield.com

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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
    “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 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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    “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 ;)
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    “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
    “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
    “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
    “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
    “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.” DH sidebar DH
    “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
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