How do I become an airline dispatcher?

Question

How do I become an airline dispatcher?

What does that job entail?

How is the pay?

Any schools near Portland, OR?

Answer 1

You have to pass the Airline Dispatcher written test and then you start applying for jobs. The study guides, which give all the possible questions and asnwers on the test (multiple choice) are available online and through many aviation stores. Heres one:

www.acceleratedaviation.com/website/wt...

Essentially you need to know most of the things that an airline pilot has to know, so there is a lot to learn about aircraft performance, weight and balance, regulations, weather, and so on. You do not need to attend a course, but it helps if you have no background in flying. Pay depends on who you work for. Entry level is not great (maybe $20k or so) but with time you'll earn a decent living. Though a relatively unrecognized and thankless profession, the dispatch dept is the heart of all airline and corporate flight operations and good dispatchers are in high demand. It is a very busy and stressful environment and entails extreme multi-tasking ability with good problem solving skills, excellent communication skills, and an ability to cope without losing your cool.

Here is a school in Tacoma:

http://www.greenriver.edu/ProgramInforma...

For others, try doing a keyword searchusing "Airline",  "Dispatcher", and "Ground School". You might also contact your local FAA office.

Answer 2

To become a dispatcher, you need to go to dispatch school.  I have seen classes run from 6 weekends to a week or two.  

Just google airline dispatcher schools and a bunch should come up.

The job itself can vary a bit, but overall somewhere from 1-4 hours before a flight you are looking at weather (thunderstorms, turbulence, etc...), ATC impacts, mechanical limitation of the aircraft, runway data.  Once airborne, you communicate hazardess weather and atc issues to your crews enroute and when there is an inflight emergency you work with the crews to get the plane down safely.

The job pay varies widly based on where you work.  Typically you will start with a regional airline with pay in the mid to upper $20Ks.

After a few years there you can go to a major carrier and if you stay there 8-10 years you can actually make some descent pay.

Overall, the pay and hours are not great and like most airline jobs most of us do it for the love of the job.

I have to tell you, it is an amazing arline job.  It is high stress but you are the center of the airline, invlolved in much of the decision making and you get to do a lot of cool stuff.

I hope this helps.  If you have any other question feel free to drop me an email.  I will be glad to help.

[e-mail]

Answer 3

My airline offers a training class, fully paid pending you pass. From what I know, you should have your rating up through ATP. Our starting pay is $14.85/hr. first year.

Answer 4

Dispatch comercail airplanes, flight follow.

I think there is a minimum age of 23. Sign up for any Aircraft Dispatcher course ( there are many) which usually last 6 weeks, pass the FAA exam and then your a Dispatcher.

Pay starts at maybe $24,000/yr.

Answer 5

Contact the airline you'd like to work for.

Study math, a little: statistics, queueing theory, business math; logistics.

It's a great career, pays well. It's kinda glamor-free, but it's steady and really important. Good luck!