3 minute read
Flight Ops Plus Traveling the World!
By Laura Laster
What is an aircraft dispatcher?
We call them “dispatchers” for short, although Delta Air Lines calls them “flight superintendents!” Every United States-based airline operating under 14 CFR Part 121 employs aircraft dispatchers. These dispatchers prepare dispatch releases for every flight, monitor and communicate with each flight assigned to their “desk,” provide updates to weather and traffic delays, and ensure safety for flight operations.
A dispatch release includes a flight plan, weather, and other critical safety information for the flight’s pilots to review before flight. The dispatcher also figures out the fuel load and sometimes the loading of the aircraft. If the aircraft has a maintenance problem before or during the flight, the dispatcher connects the flight’s pilots to the appropriate people who can help solve the problem within the airline’s maintenance department. Once a flight departs, the dispatcher continues to monitor the flight and help with any requests made by the pilots.
Some incredible benefits for dispatchers include excellent pay at major airlines, travel benefits, and a somewhat regular work schedule. As a bonus, no FAA medical certification is required, and the training to become a dispatcher is neither lengthy nor expensive. Starting pay at Southwest Airlines as an assistant dispatcher in training is currently $98,000 per year. Senior dispatchers at American Airlines are paid $180,000 or more per year. Dispatchers are home most nights, but the excitement of flight oversight is still present in the daily work performed.
Another extremely special benefit is that dispatchers are allowed to ride in the flight deck “jumpseat” on airline flights! Dispatchers often take advantage of this benefit to travel the world from the best seat in the house, sitting just behind the pilots. Dispatchers are even required to observe a certain amount of flight hours each year as part of their regular airline training.
The requirements to become a dispatcher are simple. First, you must be at least 21 to begin the testing process. You must take the FAA’s aircraft dispatcher knowledge exam, which is a challenging exam with the same questions that airline pilots also have on their certification exam. You must complete a certification course, which can vary in length from a 5- to 6-week full-time program or be included in a degree program at a college or university. Finally, you must complete an FAA certification test.
Even if you plan to be an airline pilot, don’t forget to consider dispatch! As mentioned, there is no FAA medical certification required, so dispatch is a great career to consider as a backup for flight careers. Many colleges and universities operate dispatcher certification programs that can be added to an aviation degree program. Completing a dispatcher certification program also helps you to understand more fully the regulations and concepts used in airline operations.
Dispatchers help keep airline passengers safe, and the career opportunities are excellent. No shift is the same from day to day. To learn more, check out my YouTube channel covering many aviation topics, including dispatchers!
