Aircraft Dispatcher Keeps Flights Safe and Recent graduate, Adit Baruah, earned a Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Dispatch certificate after completing The Ohio State University Center for Aviation Studies’ dispatch program. In this Q&A, he shares industry insights, career outlook, and his passion about keeping flights safe and on schedule.
Q Who is your employer, and what is your job title? What aviation certifications do you hold? A I work as a Part 121 [airline] aircraft dispatcher for SkyWest Airlines. Currently, I hold a Part 65 Aircraft Dispatcher certificate, an Instrument Ground Instructor certificate, and a Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot certificate. I am currently pursuing a Part 61 Advanced Ground Instructor certificate and am also exploring the possibility of obtaining a Part 61 Sport Pilot certificate in the near future. Q What is a day in the life of an aircraft dispatcher like? A Part 121 aircraft dispatchers [at airlines] work within their respective airline’s Operations Control Center (OCC) – it’s a little like NASA’s mission control in terms of function. Our dispatchers work 10-hour shifts and are responsible for creating dozens of flight releases, disseminating them to our flight crews. Other responsibilities include coordinating with different ATC centers across the national airspace system, communicating with airport operations, and exercising operational control with captains to amend flight releases when needed – whether for fuel, weight and balance issues, or route changes. Once a flight takes off, there is still work to be done. We maintain constant situational awareness of our flights’ enroute weather, destination and alternate weather, and any other conditions that could affect the safety of our flights – in other words, we are our pilots’ eyes and ears on the ground. By gathering information from multiple sources and analyzing our flights from various perspectives, we ensure the safety and timely performance of our flights. Q What is rewarding about being an aircraft dispatcher? A For me, the most rewarding part about being a dispatcher is the ability to solve real-world problems every day. I love seeing the real-time, positive impact my decisions are making on a flight that is 500 miles
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away. Whether it’s guiding a flight around massive squall lines or mitigating a potential delay through careful coordination with mainline partners, I love being the “behind-the-scenes” person who can help passengers and crews reach their destination safely. Q How did your dispatch certificate from the Center for Aviation Studies prepare you for your role? A The dispatch course sequence through the Center for Aviation Studies was rigorous and extremely in-depth. Lecturers Brian Strzempkowski and Adam Beckman did an amazing job presenting the material and addressing any student questions. However, the ultimate challenge lay in how well students prepared for the FAA oral exam. Both professors emphasized that the checkride wouldn’t be easy, and extensive self-study was crucial. I took those words to heart, dedicating 4-5 hours every day for five straight months until the day of my exam. I firmly believe that the transparency from the Center for Aviation Studies played a crucial role in preparing me for my role at SkyWest Airlines. Federal regulations mandate dispatchers to undergo Indoc Training after being initially hired at a Part 121 [airline] carrier. The chief dispatch instructor, during the very first session, warned my newhire class, “These first three weeks will be like drinking out of a fire hose.” This proved true, and I genuinely attribute my success to the high standard set by Brian and Adam at the beginning of the course. Q Can you give advice for students who may not have considered pursuing an aircraft dispatch career? A Whether you’re in an air transportation program, aviation management program, aviation engineering program, or even a different major altogether, [aircraft] dispatch is a career worth investigating. If your goal is to become a pilot, having your dispatch certificate is a great way to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Possessing a certificate equivalent to the ATP for pilots shows recruiters that you have a strong understanding of the technical skills required for the job, including reading instrument approach plates, interpreting weather, and applying NOTAMs.
