Frequently Asked Questions


How do I get started?

You may enroll for an Aircraft dispatcher course offered by aviation colleges, training centers, or any accredited institution by the Civil Aviation Authority.  Airlines or flight handling companies have their in-house aircraft dispatcher training for their personnel.  

You may apply for this position to airline or other companies that needs flight dispatchers; however, there are certain requirements that you must meet such as age, college degree, and experience. Some companies may hire you even without previous background and will train you for a flight dispatcher’s position as long as you meet their hiring criteria.


What’s the training like?

The training consists of academic and hands-on experience for students to attain the aeronautical knowledge and skills in the airline operations control system, crew scheduling, airport analysis, aircraft performance planning, and other functions of a flight dispatcher.

An Aircraft Dispatcher’s License will be issued after successful completion of the required examination of the Civil Aviation Authority or Federal Aviation Administration of your country.  The examination is similar to Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) written, therefore, the flight operations officer course is an ATP knowledge relevant to the airline operations control (AOC). 

Airline companies normally provide a one (1) month basic indoctrination and initial training program to their newly hired flight dispatchers.


What are the responsibilities of Aircraft/Flight Dispatchers?

The aircraft dispatcher has a wide responsibility working closely with flight crews to make each flight as safe and efficient as possible.  The flight “release” is normally signed by the Dispatcher and Pilot-in-Command for legal documentations purposes authorizing the flight to depart.  In addition, dispatchers are responsible in computing the required amount of fuel for each flight, aircraft performance capabilities, distances, maintenance limitations, weather conditions of the departure airport, enroute, and destination airport, runway conditions, navigation capabilities, regulatory conditions, and other critical information that may affect the flight.

New technologies provide dispatchers effective monitoring of each flight’s progress using position reports or aircraft situational display systems to ensure regulatory compliance, and provide flight crews additional information such as weather, traffic, navigational data conditions, alternative routing if needed, and planning information. 


What are the job opportunities, pay, and benefits?

Aircraft/Flight Dispatcher’s opportunities, pay, and benefits varies between countries and employers around the globe.  You may visit the following website to know more about dispatch career.