Besides pursuing the course of study mentioned previously, there is little opportunity for an individual to explore the field of airplane dispatching directly. Part-time or summer jobs with airlines may provide interested students with a chance to observe some of the activities related to dispatching work. You can cultivate your interest in aircraft and aviation through reading and participating in flying clubs. Talk with an airplane dispatcher about his or her career. Ask your school counselor for help arranging an interview.

If you want to advance your understanding of aircraft dispatcher training, you can take additional measures before or after enrolling in a training program. One of the most effective approaches is to consult with current dispatchers to learn from their experiences and strategies for success. Additionally, you can read aviation terminology books or conduct online research better to understand the technical skills necessary for this role. Another option is to contact your school for valuable references, articles, or technical handouts to give you a head start in your training.

To secure an aircraft dispatcher position, you must complete a training course and pass the FAA certification exam, commonly known as the practical examination. The course covers fundamental topics, including regulations, weather, ATC, navigation, decision-making, flight planning, and other job-specific subjects. By maximizing your knowledge before enrolling in the course, you will be better prepared to complete it successfully and excel in your future job as an aircraft dispatcher.

Airplane dispatchers are employed by commercial airlines, and they maintain a constant watch on factors affecting the movement of planes during flights. Dispatchers are responsible for the safety of flights and for making certain that they are operated on an efficient, profit-making basis. The work of dispatchers, however, is not the same as that of air traffic controllers, who are usually employees of the federal government.

Airplane dispatchers are responsible for giving the companys clearance for each flight that takes off during their shift. Their decisions are based on data received from a number of different sources. In their efforts to make certain that each flight will end successfully, they must take into consideration current weather conditions, weather forecasts, wind speed and direction, and other information. Before flights, they must decide whether the airplane crew should report to the field or whether the airline should begin notifying passengers that their flight has been delayed or canceled. Dispatchers may also have to determine whether an alternate route should be used, either to include another stop for passengers or to avoid certain weather conditions.

Upon reporting to the field before a flight, the pilot confers with the dispatcher and determines the best route to use, the amount of fuel to be placed aboard the aircraft, the altitude at which to fly, and the approximate flying time. The pilot and the dispatcher must agree on the conditions of the flight, and both have the option of delaying or canceling flights should conditions become too hazardous to ensure a safe trip.

In addition to interacting with pilots, dispatchers also communicate with air traffic controllers, maintenance workers, aircraft routers, weight and balance planners, crew schedulers, and other airport personnel.

Dispatchers may also be responsible for maintaining records and for determining the weight and balance of the aircraft after loading. They must be certain that all intended cargo is loaded aboard each of the appropriate flights. They must also be certain that all their decisions, such as those about the cargo, are in keeping with the safety regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as well as with the rules established by their own airline.

Once the planes are in the air, dispatchers keep in constant contact with the flight crews. A dispatcher may be responsible for communications with as many as 10 or 12 flights at any one time. Contact is maintained through a company-owned radio network that enables each company to keep track of all of its planes. Dispatchers keep the crews informed about the weather that they will encounter, and they record the positions and other information reported by the planes while they are en route. If an emergency occurs, dispatchers coordinate the actions taken in response to the emergency.

Following each flight, the pilot checks with the dispatcher for a debriefing. In the debriefing, the pilot brings the dispatcher up to date about the weather encountered in the air and other conditions related to the flight, so that the dispatcher will have this information available in scheduling subsequent flights.

Good judgment is an important tool of airplane dispatchers, for they must be able to make fast, workable, realistic decisions. Because of this, dispatchers often experience strains and tensions on the job, especially when many flights are in the air or when an emergency occurs.

In larger airlines, there is a certain degree of specialization among dispatchers. An assistant dispatcher may work with the chief dispatcher and have the major responsibility for just one phase of the dispatching activities, such as analyzing current weather information, while a senior dispatcher may be designated to take care of another phase, such as monitoring the operating costs of each flight.