What do Aircraft Dispatchers do?

An Aircraft Dispatcher would typically need to:

• Authorises regulates, and controls commercial airline flights in accordance with government and industry regulations in order to expedite flights while maintaining their safety.
• Utilise airline computer systems to coordinate aircraft turnaround, ensuring an efficient and safe departure.
• Plan luggage placement, seating arrangements, weight distribution, and fuel requirements in accordance with conventional guidelines.
• Use two-way radios or telephones to deploy personnel, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to specific areas, as well as relay work orders or information.
• Confirm that all cleaning, refuelling, and regular safety checks have been completed, as well as the loading of bags or cargo onto the plane.
• Determine the cut-off point for safe embarkation and advise the airline crew to allow passengers to embark.
• Provide the pilot with a precise load sheet containing information on the cargo and its location within the aircraft.
• After calculating the aircraft’s take-off and landing weights, prepare the final weight and balance documentation.
• After reviewing the weather and landing circumstances at the destination, advise the pilot on the safest, quickest, and most efficient flight path.
• Prepare daily work and schedules for work crews under their control; collaborate with appropriate employees to address re-service or equipment difficulties.
• Receive or prepare work orders; document and keep records of dispatch-related requests, services completed, expenses, or inventories.
• Based on work orders, determine the type and quantity of equipment, vehicles, materials, and staff required.
• Make the necessary repairs to restore service and scheduling. For synchronised service, keep track of employees and equipment (location and use).

Standard Work Environment

Aircraft Dispatchers work outside in all weather conditions and like to live close to their workplace in order to work in shifts and be ready on short notice. You may be expected to collaborate with pilots, cabin personnel, cargo handlers, aircraft maintenance, catering and cleaning employees, and others.

Work Schedule

Typically, aircraft dispatchers work 40 hours a week in 8-hour shifts that include early mornings, late nights, and evenings. Because airports are open all year, you may be required to work on weekends and national holidays.

Employers

Finding a new job may appear difficult. Aircraft Dispatchers can improve their job search by soliciting referrals from their network, contacting firms directly, using job search platforms, attending job fairs, leveraging social media, and contacting staffing agencies. Freelancing and working for yourself are realistic possibilities.

Aircraft Dispatchers are generally employed by: 

• Airports
• Airlines

Unions / Professional Organizations

Professional organisations and associations, such as The International Federation of Airline Dispatchers Associations (IFALDA), are essential for Aircraft Dispatchers who want to further their professional growth or interact with other professionals in their sector or trade. Membership in one or more of these organisations adds value to your CV while strengthening your credentials and qualifications.

Workplace Challenges

• Physical stress from working outdoors for extended periods in all kinds of weather conditions
• The need to remain calm, collaborate with others and make efficient decisions in the face of extreme stress and criticism
• Emotional stress from being responsible for the lives of people and the safety of valuable equipment
• Frequent airport congestion may lead to potential hazards in aircraft dispatch

Suggested Work Experience

Potential Aircraft Dispatchers would benefit from flying experience or a good work history as check-in and ticketing operators with reputable airlines. Previous job experience as a dispatch clerk or communications clerk in-ground or flight operations would be equally advantageous.

Certified pilots looking for networking opportunities and aviation experience may consider working as entry-level Aircraft Dispatchers. Additionally, customer service agents and crew schedulers/dispatchers can serve as entry-level Aircraft Dispatchers. Experience in customer service and management-related positions such as crew scheduler or dispatcher will help you advance.

To qualify for the written and oral tests that will deem them eligible to work for the government, aspiring Aircraft Dispatchers must sometimes work for a year or longer under expert supervision, complete certified courses from accredited aviation schools or training centres, and spend two of the preceding three years in commercial or military air traffic control.

To demonstrate your devotion to course providers and possible employers, read about the profession and interview or job shadow specialists working in the field of aircraft dispatch.

Recommended Qualifications

A high school graduation with a focus on courses such as Mathematics and English is required for entry-level employment as an Aircraft Dispatcher.

A foundation degree or an HND (Higher National Diploma) that incorporates courses in physics, maths, and meteorology will improve your chances of finding work.

A bachelor’s degree in travel, airline, or aviation management, as well as a diploma in travel and tourism, will help you stand out in a competitive work market. Knowledge of popular foreign languages, as well as experience in IT and customer service, should be advantageous.

Certifications, Licenses and Registration

Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) and Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) certifications establish an Aircraft Dispatcher’s proficiency in desired skill areas, often through work experience, training, and passing an examination. In some areas, prospective applicants must complete exams in order to be accredited as Aircraft Dispatchers.

Certification from a reputable and objective body might help you stand out in a competitive job market and improve your prospects of advancement. By including a Code of Ethics, successful certification programmes defend the public welfare.

Projected Career Map

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive Aircraft Dispatchers’ career growth, which is very limited and is dependent on the retirement or exit of senior dispatchers.

You could advance to the position of Flight Dispatch Manager, Duty Manager, or Flight Supervisor. Further advancement could involve taking on the role of Chief Flight Dispatcher or Flight Operations Manager, with the ultimate goal of becoming Superintendent of Flight Control.

It is also usual for Senior Managers or Directors to go into other sectors of airport ground handling services, more commercial aspects of airlines, or project and planning.

Job Prospects

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in travel, airline, or aviation management and flight operations experience have the highest job prospects.

Beneficial Professional Development

CPD will assist an active Aircraft Dispatcher in developing personal skills and competency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning.

New personnel receive specific on-the-job training in areas such as aviation rules, flight planning, and monitoring and usage of custom-built airline systems. Industrial qualifications in aircraft dispatch, aircraft load instruction reports, support flight operations, aviation operations on the ground, and airline/aviation management will help you further your career.

Some government agencies may require their Aircraft Dispatchers to attend required continuing education courses at particular training facilities and to be tested on the most up-to-date procedures and technologies at least once a year. In addition, you will “fly on the line” as an observer for at least five hours per year.

Conclusion of Aircraft Dispatcher

There will be days when you question why you are being paid to do something so basic, and days when troubles arise with such regularity and size that you may be unable to use the loo. Look no further than an Aircraft Dispatcher if you want a profession that is both thrilling and crucial.

Advice from the Wise

The aviation sector is a tight-knit society, so be respectful and uphold a good reputation to go up the professional ladder.

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