If you’re looking to jump-start your career as an aircraft dispatcher, our aviation school in South Florida offers a number of FAA-approved programs such as our 5-week aircraft dispatcher course. We provide hands-on training and practical resources, ensuring your success in our aviation course within five weeks so you can earn the Certificate of Training and prepare to take the FAA exam for the Aircraft Dispatcher Certification.
Full-time Residency Course – (5-week residency training)
Prerequisites for our 5-week aircraft dispatcher course:
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must have ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language
- Must have a high school diploma or international equivalent education.
- Must be self-disciplined, follows direction well, and studies rigorously
2021 Course Fees
- Registration Fee: $500.00 (non-refundable)
- Tuition Deposit: $1,000.00
- Tuition: $4,700.00 (includes deposit)
- Total Cost (Domestic Students): $5,200.00
- Total Tuition for International Students, including I-20 fee: (2021: $5,500)- check for discounts
- International Applicants who require an I-20/M-1 visa have an additional processing fee of (2021: $300).
- FAA Practical examination fee: we do not charge a fee for the initial certification exam
- Practical exam RETEST, if required: $400.00
*Sheffield also offers numerous course discounts to both domestic and international students.
2021 Tuition includes:
- FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Knowledge (ADX) exam (retests not included)
- FAA Practical Exam (retests not included).
- All supplies, including textbooks, access to FAA books online, and Sheffield’s comprehensive Aircraft Dispatcher Training Manual.
- Additional tutoring upon request, usually between 5-6 pm on weekdays, and access to our flight planning software, weather briefing, and Aircraft Situation Display (ASD).
*ADX exam: ‘Our Method’ Handout – ‘How to Study’ Handout
March 6, 2021
Thu, Apr 25, 2019 at 7:27 PM
After graduating in September, I was immediately offered a job with SkyWest Airlines and have been working as a Dispatcher for the last six months in St George, UT at the SkyWest OCC. 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. I also want to personally thank you for the time you took to explain to me performance limitations when I was struggling with this subject. I’m probably one of the few ..who can confidently understand why we are weight restricted in a given scenario, and actively take steps to mitigate restrictions and ultimately make the pilots (and pax) very happy. It’s a direct result of what I learned at Sheffield, and it shows that others were not thought this. I’m excelling, and it’s exciting.
Many thanks,
A.
March 6, 2021
“I went to Sheffield back in 2012. I’ve been with Southwest now for 7 years and dispatched for about 3.5 of those years. Very blessed to be with this company!”
C.L.
February 11, 2021
Hi Eric,
February 5, 2021
“I learned a lot from this course, which will help me to perform my aviation duties very well.”
A.
February 5, 2021
“Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.”
A.
February 5, 2021
Eric and Brett are the best teachers I have met so far; very professional and entertaining in class. I enjoyed the experience and as I said earlier, I will absolutely highly recommend Sheffield. Thank you!
A.
November 1, 2020
October 19, 2020
September 10, 2020
“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.”
August 6, 2020
Application-based Forms (2021)
- 2021 5-week Course Application
- 2021 Admission Procedures: Domestic Students
- 2021 Admission Procedures: International Students
- 2021 School & Courses: General Information
- 2021 Print a Credit Card Authorization Form
Special Notes for Students:
Domestic Students – ID information:
- TWO forms of photo identification are required; BOTH IDs must include matching full name. Expired IDs not accepted.
International Students – ID & Additional Information:
- TWO forms of photo identification are required; BOTH IDs must include matching full name. Expired I.D.s not accepted.
- We recommend beginning the Application / I-20 processing at least 2 – 4 months prior to the start date of your desired class. This is due to increased security procedures, delayed U.S. Embassy appointments, and M-1 visa issuance delays. Also, the Department of Homeland Security has initiated an additional fee (paid directly to the Department of Homeland Security, not the Sheffield School of Aeronautics) for students applying for an M-1 (student) visa. This fee is in addition to the $200 processing fee for the I-20 form paid to Sheffield. Please review the links below for more information:
- General Visa Information
- I-901 Form (includes specific instructions)
- International Students – VERY IMPORTANT TO READ!
Aircraft Dispatcher Course (200 hours/5 weeks)
- Do all schools teach the same material?
No. All FAR Part 65 schools must adhere to their basic curriculum guidelines; however, Sheffield decided long ago to provide extra airline-related material to ease our graduates transition into airline initial training. We do not believe in telling our students “Don’t worry about that – your airline will teach you that.” Granted, there are some topics that we cannot teach since it is not only the responsibility of the airline, but each airline may have a different FAA approval for how they apply certain procedures. But there are MANY topics, scenarios, etc. that our students are exposed to that have impressed many airline hiring managers. Just check our testimonials!
- How soon into the program is the first test?
Friday of the first week is a test on Weather Theory. It is a Sheffield-produced test. Much (but not all) of the material comes from Chapters 1-13 of the link below (AC 00-6B Aviation Weather). We will spend the first week refining what we would like you to understand. Aviation Weather Advisory Circular. (password-protected PDF file. Password available after applying to school.)
- What are the class hours?
Classes will normally be held from 8:00am until 5:00pm, weekdays. There will be short breaks throughout the day and a one-hour break for lunch.
- When is the 1st test in the 5-week class and what topics are covered?
Friday of the first week on Weather Theory.
- Some schools claim to have a near 100% pass rate. Is this correct?
Some schools will pass anyone to hang on to the almighty dollar. We would rather cut a refund check periodically to someone who didn’t put forth the effort than to have our 70+ year reputation tarnished by becoming a license mill. Be wary of schools claiming “come have fun – our class is a breeze.” During an interview, you are unlikely to hear this question “So did you have a lot of fun?”
Our students enjoy the class, they typically state that it exceeded their expectations, and that they never learned so much in their lives. Typically, our graduates are hired while they are still in class or within a few weeks of graduation. Another important fact is this – most graduates are seeking employment. Many come to us once they do their homework and learn directly from an airline that a student’s “hiring-quotient” will escalate if they choose a highly reputable school. Many airlines interview first (or exclusively) at our school because they know every graduate has been thoroughly prepared, and there won’t be any surprises when they begin training on the job.
Passing anybody and everybody after numerous repeated attempts, or due to lack of any testing, only dilutes this industry with unqualified “dispatchers” and is a blight on the profession. Statements of guarantees are an abomination and should be stripped from all advertising by those who have the ability and wherewithall to do so. These mills should be publicly condemned.
Can you imagine taking a taxi ride to an airport from a guy who can’t drive (we know this happens), then board an airplane that has been signed off by maintenance personnel who are inept or who haven’t been checked properly by their governing authority (we’ve read the news in 2008 and thereafter), only to be flown by a captain who has had numerous failures during his or her flight training (it happens), who has had his flight planned by a dispatcher who failed his course with a 30%, then bought his certificate at a diploma mill within 2-3 days (YES- it has happened). Hopefully, this won’t scare you into an anxiety attack. If so, you could visit your doctor who received his diploma…,well, you get the point.
You will EARN your certificate at Sheffield. Why should others be handed the same honor?! It only increases YOUR workload – ask any competent dispatcher.
[in past years one new startup school in our area claims “once you pass the course you get a license.” Aside from being misleading and inaccurate, it is illegal. Passing a Part 65 FAA-approved course enables the applicant to take the FAA practical exam. Once THAT is passed, the applicant becomes certificated. So be wary of the unscrupulous operators out there. The same course operator tried to list one of Sheffield’s graduates as an instructor to appeal to the FAA. The problem was my graduate did not give the course operator permission to do so.]
- What can I study prior to attending your school?
Do not purchase regulations books and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) to read through and study (as I’ve seen recommended on the internet). Without proper guidance, you may waste valuable time or misinterpret something. A good portion of subject matter discussed and applied in class is not found in commercially-available books.
To help prepare for the course, study the FAA knowledge material on our web site. That is not really what our course is about – self study – but it will give you a head start in preparing for the FAA ADX test. Other than that, you can visit our “aviation bookstore” online and check out the weather books since we apply a lot of weather in the course.
We don’t really supply FAA books in the course since you can get them for free on the Internet. We write our own manuals and sections to study. For some free books, go to “dispatcher resources” on our site and you can link to Regulations, Weather circulars (Aviation Weather Services) from the FAA, and the Aeronautical Information Manual. All are helpful information to browse through or print out to give you an idea of the type of material involved in the course.
If you want to pursue regulations ahead of time, the main sections are FAR Part 121 – Subparts T & U. These subparts contains the majority of dispatch rules and procedures that you will apply in the course and on the job.
- How many students usually enroll in the course?
Between 12 and 25. The average is probably 18. If you check our class pictures, you’ll notice that the enrollment numbers are usually consistent. It is comforting to see that many people do their research and make the correct choice. We admire these students who crave a quality education. On graduation day, their faces say it all – that they have just earned something very special in this industry: A diploma from Sheffield School of Aeronautics!
- How long is the program and what does it cost?
The Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course is 5 weeks long and covers at least 200 hours of classroom instruction (as required by Federal Aviation Regulations). The total 2019-2020 tuition cost is $5,200, without any discounts applied. This includes textbooks, the computer ADX examination fee (normally $160.00 if taken privately) and the Practical Exam (~$400-$500), web site passwords, job assistance and airline lists, and computer use.
- Are textbooks/notebooks included? What books will be used?
Sheffield has produced it’s own textbook binder which relies on FAA sources as well as Airline material. All books are included in the tuition fee. If a prospective student is interested in jump-starting their weather studies prior to attending our course the following textbook is highly recommended since meteorology (weather) with reports/forecast reading and application comprises over 35% of the total academic subjects: Aviation Weather Advisory Circular
- What are the main subjects that are covered in the program?
Meteorology (weather), Navigation, Air Traffic Control, Jeppesen Approach charts and enroute charts, Aeronautical Information Manual, Aircraft Systems, Performance and Weight and Balance, Federal Aviation Regulations, Communications, and Practical Flight planning applications are included subjects in our Aircraft Dispatcher Course.
Course Description
Our 5-week aircraft dispatcher course for 200 hours is FAA-approved. Classes are held from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Computer labs are usually scheduled after 5:00 pm. The FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Knowledge Test is usually administered during the first half of the course, and the FAA Practical Exam is administered following the successful completion of the course and after passing the ADX Knowledge Test.
Curriculum
The material covered includes the requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 65, Subpart C and covers the following subject matter:
- Meteorology (Basic & Advanced Aviation Weather Theory)
- Non-Graphic Weather
- Graphic Weather
- Aeronautical Information Manual
- Instrument Approach Procedures
- Navigation
- Communications
- Air Traffic Control
- Federal Aviation Regulations
- Aeronautical Charts
- Practical Dispatching–Jet Aircraft
- Aircraft and Engine Performance (B727-200)
- Systems and Limitations (B727-200)
- Flight Planning: Manual & Computerized
When To Enroll:
We recommend enrolling at least 30 days before the class start date, although you may enroll any time before class commences if space is available. If you enroll early, you may be able to take advantage of large tuition discounts and purchase study materials like our dispatch training manual ahead of time. Enrolling early also allows students enough time to find proper housing and take care of a student visa, if applicable.
Advantages:
As a student at Sheffield School, you will receive a computer flight plan briefing, learning to request computer flight plans and weather information, NOTAMS, and so on, using various software, including Navtech and Universal Weather.
All FAA-approved dispatch schools must meet and follow FAA minimum requirements; however, contrary to what many schools claim, all schools DO NOT teach an identical curriculum. Sheffield School incorporates additional reality-based material, which is not typically found in common textbooks. In fact, we’ve written our own textbook because most aviation resources do not directly address much of the practical material taught in the comprehensive course we offer. Time in class allotted to each subject varies greatly depending on the examples given, the scenarios produced, and the hands-on application. Many of our graduates have been involved in amendments to Company Dispatch manuals. After successful completion of a program at Sheffield, our graduates know they have earned more than a slip of paper; with this certification, they have evolved into leaders and original thinkers, not followers. We are very proud of each and every one of our graduates.
If you are not sure where to attend school, we recommend researching aviation schools and then calling the ones you’re interested in to ask questions, verify claims, and request references. Sheffield School will gladly answer your questions and provide the information you request.
“In my search for a school, Sheffield School of Aeronautics has the best and most complete training of this career.”
J.P. – Feb 11, 2014
Sometimes prospective students call airline operations and dispatch offices around the country to talk to managers, supervisors, and dispatchers about reputable aviation schools. These professionals in the industries often refer students to our school of aeronautics in Fort Lauderdale. This bit of research helps you determine which school best meets your objectives.
So, what are you waiting for? Get started on a new career in aircraft dispatching by contacting our aviation school at 954-581-6022 today!
Additional Readings:
Why Does the Aircraft Dispatcher Salary Start So Low?
*Post updated February 28, 2020*