Flight Dispatching (PRELIMS)

A flight dispatcher (also known as an airline dispatcher or flight operations officer) assists in planning
flight paths, taking into account aircraft performance and loading, enroute winds, thunderstorm and
turbulence forecasts, airspace restrictions, and airport conditions. Dispatchers also provide a flight
following service and advise pilots if conditions change. They usually work in the operations center of
the airline. In the United States and Canada, the flight dispatcher shares legal responsibility with the
commander of the aircraft (joint responsibility dispatch system).

AIRLINE DISPATCHERS

ARE HIGHLY TRAINED INDIVIDUALS WHO HOLD A VALID FAA AIRCRAFT DISPATCHER CERTIFICATE. THEY
ARE EMPLOYED BY AIRLINES AND AVIATION RELATED COMPANIES AND WORK IN THE AIRLINE’S
OPERATIONAL CONTROL CENTER.

In an airline there are two individuals that are responsible for the operation and safety of the flight; the
captain and the dispatcher. There are other groups assisting in the operation, but these two groups
have to certify each flight. There are 3 major steps in this process and they are broken down like this:

INITIATE THE FLIGHT

– this is generally started by the dispatcher with steps like flight planning, weight and balance, weather
and ATC coordination, etc. The captain will review the package generated by the dispatcher and sign off
on the flight plan.

CONDUCT THE FLIGHT

– the captain will fly the plane according to the plan and the dispatcher will flight follow the flight. Any
changes are coordinated and approved by both parties.

TERMINATE THE FLIGHT

– the plane lands and taxis to the gate. The dispatcher makes sure the airplane has landed safely, is at
the gate and terminates the flight.

What Is Aviation Dispatch?

Aviation dispatch is a vital aspect of the aviation industry. It is also known as flight following, flight
dispatch, or flight operations (or “flight ops” within the industry.) The title “Flight Handling Officer” is
most often used in Europe. Airlines, both regional and major, rely upon them to help individual flights
safely depart and reach their destinations. Usually, they have the ability to delay or even cancel a flight.
Aviation dispatch helps pilots work with multiple streams of data to make informed decisions about
their routes and schedules. Becoming an aviation dispatcher is a good way to become involved in the
aviation industry without becoming a pilot, flight attendant, or ticket agent.

Without aviation dispatch, flights would not run as efficiently, and pilots might not have as much
information as they need in order to make the best possible decisions both on the ground and in the air.
While passengers and non-commercial pilots might not be aware of the role of flight dispatchers as they
move through their functions in the aviation industry, flight handling officers are the unseen monitors
who work with air traffic controllers to help commercial flights take off, navigate, and land smoothly.
They help save Captains and First Officers time in looking up information in the event of an emergency.

More than the Captain and the First Officer, who are handling the conditions in the aircraft, and the air
traffic controller, who has the perspective of all the traffic in the skies, the flight dispatcher can see both
of these viewpoints.

What does a flight dispatcher do?

Performs the pre-flight duties as the cabin crew prepare for the flight

Provides the pilot with the advised route for an individual flight

Assesses weather reports and informing the pilot of any hazards

Makes checks on aircraft maintenance issues

Reviews aircraft weight, fuel loads and cargo loads

General duties to ensure the aircraft is safe and ready to fly

Reports to air traffic control and airport staff about departure times, and after departure, providing
reports on aircraft status and predicted arrival times.

The Responsibilities of an Aircraft Dispatcher

The airline industry is expansive, with varying roles in countless different sectors. There are a number of
jobs outside of pilot, stewards, and security that still come with a significant amount of responsibility. If
you are interested in a career as an aircraft dispatcher, knowing a little bit more about the job’s
requirements can give you an understanding of if it is the right fit for you.
An aircraft dispatcher is one of the most vital operators contributing to safe flights, as there must be a
dispatcher coordinating every flight. Here are some of the tasks one can expect to handle if they plan on
pursuing this career:

Safety Evaluations

The primary task of an aircraft dispatcher is ensuring that a flight safely reaches its destination. Aircraft
dispatchers assess every variable that can affect the safety of a flight, which could vary from plane to
plane based on the route, aircraft, and other factors. An aircraft dispatcher’s responsibilities include, but
are not limited, to the following:

The weather at the departure and arrival site

The weather along the flight route

The weather at an alternate airport in the event of an emergency landing

The mechanical performance of the plane

An airplane requires a dispatcher to sign off before it can take flight. If the aircraft dispatcher deems any
area to be unsafe, they can cancel the flight altogether.

Crew Review

As part of a dispatcher’s role in ensuring the safety of the flight, he or she will likely review the
individuals aboard the flight, including attendants and pilots. Dispatchers are required to make sure that
each member of the crew has the required qualifications. Additionally, a dispatcher may check to see if
the crew has had enough rest between flights to ensure that crew members and pilots are alert and
attentive.

Maximizing Efficiency

Another key part of this position’s responsibilities is to get the plane from its departure site to its arrival
site as efficiently as possible. This means making sure that the flight route is as efficient as possible while
maintaining safety and avoiding other aircraft routes. In order to accomplish this, dispatchers will take
into account how much fuel will be consumed during the flight as well as how much additional fuel
should be on the plane in case the pilot has to steer clear of weather or get to an alternate airport.
In-flight Monitoring

Flight dispatchers, like pilots, are responsible for evaluating and re-evaluating the weather, route, and
other factors during the flight. In addition to a dispatcher’s responsibilities prior to takeoff, dispatchers
will also make sure that the flight runs smoothly by keeping an eye on any approaching storms or other
circumstances that could compromise the safety or efficiency of the plane.

What qualifications do you need to become a flight dispatcher?

Although the entry requirements vary between employers, you will at least need a good set of GCSE’s
before you begin training. Subjects such as English and maths at grade A* – C (9-4) are important.

A-levels will help your CV become more attractive to employers and there are some relevant subjects
available, such as Travel and Tourism. Alternatively, you could study for a BTEC or Diploma in aviation
operations. If you move on to study at university, there are degrees in travel or airline management.

Once you have been recruited, there is more training specific to the role. This will coach you in areas
such as flight planning and scheduling, aviation regulations, and in how to use airline systems. Industry
qualifications include NVQs in aviation operations on the ground and Level 2 Awards in aircraft dispatch
and support flight operations.

What skills do you need to become a flight dispatcher?

You will need to be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment especially when flying
weather is bad

You will need to be decisive as flight dispatchers must make many rapid decisions concerning safety,
flight regulations, and the economy of operations

As day-to-day tasks rely heavily on computer software systems, calculators, weather charts, and loading
reports, competence with technology is very important

Good analytical skills are important to help with the interpretation of information and applying this to
flight plans

You will need to work closely with other flight dispatchers, pilots, and air traffic controllers, so the ability
to work well in a team is very important
This is a high pressure role which is responsible for the safety of aircraft and passengers so the ability to
concentrate for long periods of time is essential

As you will be relaying instructions to pilots and other flight dispatchers, you will need excellent
communication skills to make sure you are clearly understood.

The Role of Flight Dispatchers

Flight dispatchers work with pilots and their data streams to help plan a flight. A good flight dispatcher
can work with a large amount of data rapidly and accurately. Flight dispatchers take into consideration
any factor that might affect a commercial flight. This includes weather, the airplane’s maintenance
status, type of aircraft, and reports of turbulence from other pilots. Flight dispatchers must work with
this information while keeping in mind company policy, FAA regulations, or any temporary flight
restrictions.

When a pilot is preparing for his or her flight, the dispatcher is checking weather, coordinating
schedules, and evaluating data regarding the aircraft. They are working with information issued regularly
from air traffic control, weather updates, and other pilots. He or she is usually doing so from the
headquarters of the company running the airline or private flight service. Using this information, the
flight dispatcher puts together a flight plan for the Captain and First Officer.

After providing the flight plan, the Captain might make minor adjustments or speak to the dispatcher
about what he or she has recommended. If he or she agrees with the flight plan, the Captain signs it. The
flight dispatcher then monitors the flight as it heads to its destination, watching flow rates and flight
paths. He or she checks to see if the time and fuel consumption estimates provided to the flight crew
will continue to accurately reflect the projected flight path. It’s important to remember that the flight
dispatcher is often responsible for multiple flights.

On their end, Captains and First Officers continue to communicate with their flight dispatchers, alerting
them to changing weather conditions or if a hold has been issued. This assists the flight dispatcher in
adjusting their flight plans, projecting new landing times, and making flight plans for other crews.

When Adjustments Are Necessary

If maintenance or emergency issues arise on the aircraft, the flight dispatcher will help the pilot
understand what is happening both on the ground and around him or her in the skies. They prioritize the
safety of the crew and passengers, then look for the most efficient way to either land immediately or
find another route.
Most airlines have a doctor on call to speak to the flight crew in the event of a medical emergency. Flight
dispatchers will follow company policies to help address the situation and coordinate the conversation
between the flight crew and the doctor, as well as making adjustments for the flights surrounding the
one experiencing the emergency.

Flight dispatch lets the crew know if they are heading into turbulence or icing conditions. The aviation
dispatcher helps to arrange for an alternate route or even another airport at which to land. An aviation
dispatcher’s job is not complete once the airplane lands and taxis to the gate. They help to coordinate
the “turnaround” of the aircraft—its cleaning, refueling, and maintenance checks.

Becoming an Aviation Dispatcher

It’s a terrific time to become involved in the aviation industry. A career in aviation dispatch can offer
many options for those interested in the realm of flight management. Most nations have several
opportunities for aviation dispatchers. On a worldwide basis, flight dispatchers are represented by the
International Federation of Flight Dispatchers Association (IFALDA.)

While becoming an aviation dispatcher in the United States does not require a college degree, some
companies prefer one with a major in air transportation, aviation studies, or meteorology. Equivalent
military experience is also usually accepted. Flight dispatchers must be 23 years old, and they must pass
the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Exam.

Prospective flight dispatchers in the United States must successfully complete an FAA-approved training
course which lasts at least 200 hours. These classes involve basics of aerodynamics, a study of human
factors, instruction on how to perform weight and balance calculations, and training in reading
navigation charts as well as FAA communications. They study crew resource management, how air traffic
control works, and what affects aeronautical decision-making. Students also take a deep dive into
meteorology. They learn how to read forecasts from the National Weather Service, what wind shear is,
and how to avoid microbursts.

Working as an Aviation Dispatcher

Flight dispatchers usually enjoy indoor working conditions and full-time benefits. FAA regulations and
company policies might demand that working flight dispatchers undertake what’s known as “recurrent
training.” This involves refreshment courses in FAA rules, navigation, air traffic control procedures,
meteorology, or the policies of the airline for which they work.

LOAD PLANNER

Often (especially in larger airlines) a dispatcher will be assisted by a load planner. They must carefully
plan the loading of the aircraft and do the weight and balance calculations for the aircraft. In some cargo
aircraft, they have to visually inspect the loading, making sure it has been done in accordance with their
instructions. When a load planner is on board the airplane as a member of the crew, he or she will be in
charge of planning, loading and offloading the cargo for the duration of the flight, and is known as
loadmaster.

Load Planning Officer

Load Planning Specialist

Load Control Officers

Loadmaster

Load Controller

Load planning officers, also known as load controllers or flight planners, are concerned with seating
passengers and locating cargo in an aircraft in such a way that it can take off, fly and land both safely and
economically. They do this by producing information on the weight and size of freight and luggage, and
the number of passengers on board an aircraft.

Load planning officers work closely with check in staff, who are responsible for weighing passengers'
luggage, and with cargo agents who accept cargo for transportation. They use information from these
staff to:

Calculate the aircraft's take-off weight, landing weight and its centre of gravity.

Plan the position of luggage and cargo in the aircraft's holds.

Decide which seats on the aircraft should be occupied if there is going to be a large number of empty
seats.
Calculate how much cargo will need to be offloaded should the aircraft exceed its maximum operational
weight.

Officers work on several aircraft at a time. They use computers with specially designed software that
details exactly what the payload (the cargo, luggage and passengers) for the flight is and where it is to be
positioned within the aircraft. This takes into account the types of cargo and the order in which it must
be loaded.

They record this information on a load sheet. The load sheet is needed by the pilot, who has to enter
the weight and balance information into the flight deck computer before the aircraft takes off.

Officers also produce a set of load instructions that are passed to the dispatch team that is responsible
for loading the luggage and cargo on to the aircraft. The dispatch team will contact the load planning
officer if any luggage or cargo needs to be repositioned (because it is particularly bulky or of an odd
shape). In such cases, the officer enters the new data into the computer to produce the final load sheet.

Load planning officers work variable shifts to cover all the times that an airport is open. This can include
early mornings, evenings, weekends and bank holidays. In the case of airports open 24 hours a day this
can also include working nights. Part-time work may be possible. Officers are expected to work overtime
on occasions when there are delays at the airport.

Much of the work takes place indoors at an airport. Load planning officers work at a computer
workstation in an office. They also spend some of their time on the apron (the area where aircraft park),
which involves being outdoors in all weather conditions. Their work involves sitting, standing and
walking. They may wear high visibility vests and ear defenders when working on the airport apron.

Some large airlines, such as British Airways, employ their own load planning officers. Most officers,
though, are employed by ground handling companies that work on behalf of airlines. These may be large
international organisations as well as small regional companies. The number of load planning officers is
increasing.

There are airports throughout the UK but there is a large concentration of passenger services at just four
- Heathrow (Middlesex), Gatwick (West Sussex), Stansted (Essex) and Manchester. Heathrow handles
over half of the UK's air cargo. Gatwick, East Midlands and Stansted airports are also major cargo
handlers.