Frequently Asked Questions

Aircraft Dispatcher Job Description

Aircraft Dispatchers are licensed airmen certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration and have joint responsibility with the captain for the safety and operational control of flights under his/her guidance.

Aircraft Dispatchers authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government and company regulations to expedite and ensure safety of flight by performing the following tasks:

• responsible for economics, passenger service and operational control of day to day flight operations.

• analyze and evaluate meteorological information to determine potential hazards to safety of flight and to select the most desirable and economic route of flight.

• compute the amount of fuel required for the safe completion of flight according to type of aircraft, distance of flight, maintenance limitations, weather conditions and minimum fuel requirements prescribed by federal aviation regulations.

• prepare flight plans containing information such as maximum allowable takeoff and landing weights, weather reports, field conditions, NOTAMS and many other informational components required for the safe completion of flight.

• prepare and signs the dispatch release which is the legal document providing authorization for a flight to depart.

• delay or cancel flights if unsafe conditions threaten the safety of his/her aircraft or passengers.

• monitor weather conditions, aircraft position reports, and aeronautical navigation charts to evaluate the progress of flight.

• update the pilot in command of significant changes to weather or flight plan and recommends flight plan alternates, such as changing course, altitude and, if required, enroute landings in the interest of safety and economy.

• originate and disseminate flight information to others in his/her company including stations and reservations. This is the source of information provided to the traveling public.

Aircraft Dispatchers have undergone extensive training to have earned the coveted Aircraft Dispatcher's certificate having taken and passed both an extensive oral examination and the comprehensive Dispatch ADX test, administered by the Federal Aviation Administration.  These tests are equivalent to the same Air Transport Pilot (ATP) written and oral examinations that an airline captain must successfully complete.

Aircraft Dispatchers participate in frequent and detailed recurrent training courses covering aircraft systems, company operations policy, meteorology and Federal Air Regulations as required by the FAA.

(SOURCE - Airline Dispatchers Federation)