
Boeing- 777
2023 note: In the next few months, we should be scheduling our ETOPs course for later 2023.
Our 1 day ETOPS Course immediately follows the Advanced International Flight Planning Course. This course is also designed to be useful for those who may want to work for an airline which operates over oceanic and desert (or other isolated) routes. This course includes (and is never limited to):
- The 60-minute rule and the evolution of extended-range operations
- En route Alternate Selection and Planning
- 75-minute, 90-minute authorizations
- 120-minute, 138-minute authorizations, rules, and procedures
- 180-minute and 207-minute authorizations, rules, and procedures
- 240-minute discussion
- Equal Time Points and Critical Fuel Required
- Route Selection and Options
- Hands-on Plotting chart application, route revisions, and hypothetical scenarios
- Derivation of En Route Alternate weather minimums
- Extended Range Entry Point – location and purpose
- ETOPS Diversion Procedures
- Discussion & Application of Maximum Diversion Time
- Computerized ETOPS Flight Plans: How to request the plan with emphasis on how to analyze results in conjunction with Pilot-Dispatcher weather briefings and debriefings
- NEW FAA ETOPS Advisory Circular
ETOPS training originated when the FAA decided to grant permission for the airlines to operate twin-engine aircraft, such as the B-757’s, Airbus, etc. over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, or desolate areas. The operation originally applied to two-engine airplanes flying more than 60 minutes from the nearest adequate airport, but now includes three- or four-engine airplanes flying more than 180 minutes from the nearest adequate airport.
In order for this approval to be granted to the airlines by the FAA, one of the requirements is an approved training program for the pilots, dispatchers, and other company personnel. Our first ETOPS class took place on the weekend of July 11, 1992, which made Sheffield School the first school, outside the major airlines, to offer this type of advanced aviation training.
We highly recommend attending this course while you’re in town; however, we certainly welcome back any Sheffield graduates who decide to attend this course at a later date. The class date will normally be on Wednesday following the Advanced International Flight Planning course. This is a full ETOPS course with practical applications, computer application, and a live instructor – not a half-day “point and click” CBT course with no discussion.
We can’t exchange a full day of ETOPS (primarily non-certification) material for FAA aircraft dispatcher certification instructional time; therefore, we provide ETOPS as an additional workshop class. Understandably, some students feel no need to take the ETOPS course due to their current place of employment. Some prefer to take the course at a later date. We provide an option for our graduates to take this course. You may sign up for this course with or without Advanced International Training any time.
Course Fees
Course Fees Tuition $300.00 [$600 for non-Sheffield graduates] – check for discounts.
Sorry, there are no courses scheduled at this time.
October 6, 2017
Very thorough. Great jokes!
September 28, 2017
“Brilliant instructors, first class education.”
S.
February 14, 2014
“The AIFP, ETOPS, & EWINS courses provided additional information and understanding on the topics that I did not have (earlier). The courses were worth attending and I would recommend that others attend.”
D. Brogan
February 14, 2014
“Excellent complement after completing the (certification) course!”
A.
February 14, 2014
“Thanks for everything. I learned so much and can’t wait to go back to work & apply all the information I got at this school! Thanks!”
C.S. (Germany)
November 9, 2013
Dear Mr Eric,
…I wanted to study flight dispatch Training Course .. to get my license from FAA and ETOPs certification as Air Asia airlines flight operations department is giving preference to those dispatcher who are holding FAA license and especially from your school…
Best Regards ,
S.
October 28, 2013
“The instructor has such exceptional poise and command of the material, answered all questions thoroughly and succinctly, and provided one of the singularly exceptional learning environments I’ve ever experienced. I couldn’t recommend these courses enough!”
David H. Plotkin
July 9, 2013
“Super courses!! Finally I made my 1st ETOP plan!!
Keep up!!
Matteo Roder
June 10, 2013
“I am deeply impressed about the knowledge transfer in the workshops. This really helps me to make decisions independently within the working dispatch environment. Also, our instructor showed at all times a very high standard of performance. He was just great! Thank you! R.P.
Application Forms
- ETOPS-only Application Form (if enrolling in ETOPS without the FAA certification course)
ETOPS (Extended Operations)
- Do all of your graduates attend the ETOPS course?
No, approximately 30-50% typically attend the course following graduation. Some attend at a later date.
- Do you provide a completion certificate?
Yes
- Do all schools teach ETOPS?
No. In fact, some of those schools that do not, will not, or can not instruct this course attempt to dismiss ETOPs or try to criticize us for doing something original. Other schools simply try to copy us. If they can’t copy us, they try to discredit training that is valuable whether you dispatch ETOPs or not early in your career. Recently we’ve been criticized by yet another dispatch-school-wannabe that is non-FAA-approved, has no permanent location, has no staff, and is one of three different spinoffs from another school which has been in business approximately 4 decades less than Sheffield.
- Do other schools offer the same?
We don’t know what is currently provided, if anything. No other school seems interested in advertising what they provide or don’t. We did have a graduate of another school attend our accelerated course (you can deduce why) and show us his ETOPS manual booklet. It’s under the arrow in the picture below – look close. It is sandwiched by our AIFP notebook (left) and ETOPS notebook (right).
Then again, the only paper you may receive is the completion certificate. Just ask if you need to draw comparisons.
- Do you provide an ETOPs manual with your course as a reference?
Absolutely! We supply a thick manual for all our courses along with extra plotting charts, enroute charts, orientation charts, flight planning charts, weather and computer flight plan printouts.
- I’ve talked to some airlines that claim ETOPs can be taught at the airline if I need it. Why should I take your course?
Until the airlines (there have been many) stop calling Sheffield for the answers to ETOPS questions, you should consider learning good habits and creative thinking by attending our course. In addition, many airlines, including the former head of Operations at a large international airline told us that he personally appreciated Sheffield teaching ETOPS before the graduates enter airline training.
- What is the duration and cost of the course?
One day and $300, respectively.
- Why do you charge for this course while another school claims it should be free or claim to include this same material in their full course?
We actually have material to teach. We have a live instructor to give scenarios concerning complex situations. We have the ability to answer questions and alter our given examples with overhead slides as well as graphically planning multiple ETOPs flights on our computers. The student receives valuable feedback.
You won’t be placed in front of a terminal to “teach yourself.” You won’t be waiting for “beeps” to move on. CBT courses are substitute courses for schools without the ability and/or manpower to be creative and instruct. Those courses SHOULD be free. You get what you pay for.
We’d love for these misleading “free” or “included” courses to vanish, but we gladly accept GRADUATES from other schools to attend our course. I receive the emailed requests every month. They want to become more marketable. There’s a difference in knowing what ETOPS stands for and how to amend an en route alternate while your airplane is over the middle of the ocean or desert.
- Can you give an example of a typical question that is debated within the industry?
Let’s just say there are a lot of viewpoints concerning the application of “maximum diversion time” on a flight plan, as well as alternate minimum calculations and critical fuel assumptions. There were also recent policies written which are now under review based on questions and recommendations made by Sheffield School in 2008. These points are brought up in class to help prepare the student with how to address these issues and seek guidance at their future airline.