*Coronavirus/COVID-19 Update*

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?”

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 still plan to operate all scheduled future classes, unless a new mandate arises. The May 18th 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 will do our best to finalize any decisions at least 10-14 days before the scheduled start date. That includes potentially starting 5-week classes online for a short period of time before having everyone arrive here. We do not expect the latter to be needed.


Class management & precautionary steps:
All of the normal 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 used the same measures successfully towards the end of the previous class. 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 student must adhere to in order to prevent any health issues within our office and classrooms.


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 72-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.

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. 

Best Regards,

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

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  • Testimonials

    “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
    “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
    “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
    “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
    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
    “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.
    “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 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
    “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
    “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
    “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
    “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
    “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
    “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
    “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
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