Aircraft Dispatcher Course

Lesson 1 • Commercial Aviation System Overview

Covers the structure of commercial aviation, including carriers, regulators, and service providers. Positions the dispatcher within the broader operational ecosystem.

Lesson 2 • Airline Operations Control Center

Describes the physical and functional layout of an operations control centre. Learners understand how dispatchers coordinate with crews, maintenance, and ATC.

Lesson 3 • Dispatcher Certification Requirements

Outlines the knowledge, experience, and testing requirements for dispatcher certification. Connects regulatory standards to professional readiness benchmarks.

Lesson 1 • Weather Decision-Making for Dispatch

Applies meteorological knowledge to go/no-go and routing decisions. Learners practise integrating multiple weather products into a coherent dispatch assessment.

Lesson 2 • Weather Products and Forecasts

Covers standard aviation weather reports, forecasts, and graphical products. Learners extract operationally relevant data from METARs, TAFs, SIGMETs, and charts.

Lesson 3 • Atmosphere Structure and Properties

Introduces atmospheric layers, temperature gradients, and pressure relationships. Provides the physical foundation for understanding weather phenomena affecting flight.

Lesson 4 • Aviation Hazardous Weather Phenomena

Identifies weather hazards including icing, turbulence, thunderstorms, and wind shear. Learners assess severity and determine operational impact on dispatch decisions.

Lesson 1 • Airspace Classification and Structure

Defines controlled and uncontrolled airspace classes and their operational rules. Learners apply airspace knowledge to route selection and altitude planning.

Lesson 2 • Time and Position Calculations

Applies time zone conversions, UTC usage, and position reporting to dispatch operations. Learners perform calculations required for accurate flight plan filing.

Lesson 3 • Earth Geometry and Chart Fundamentals

Introduces globe geometry, map projections, and aeronautical chart types. Learners relate chart features to real-world navigation requirements.

Lesson 4 • Route Planning and Airways

Examines low and high altitude airways, preferred routes, and routing constraints. Learners construct valid domestic and international route strings.

Lesson 1 • Weight and Balance for Dispatch

Applies weight and balance principles to ensure aircraft operates within certified limits. Learners compute centre of gravity and verify compliance before release.

Lesson 2 • Aircraft Performance Data and Charts

Teaches use of aircraft flight manuals and performance charts for dispatch calculations. Learners extract takeoff, climb, cruise, and landing data for planning.

Lesson 3 • Powerplant and Fuel Systems

Covers turbine engine types, fuel system architecture, and fuel management principles. Learners understand how engine and fuel data affect dispatch fuel planning.

Lesson 4 • Minimum Equipment List Application

Explains MEL structure, dispatch deviation authority, and inoperative equipment procedures. Learners determine dispatch legality when aircraft systems are inoperative.

Lesson 1 • Domestic Flight Plan Construction

Guides students through building a complete domestic flight plan from route to fuel load. Connects all prior planning elements into a single integrated document.

Lesson 2 • Computer Flight Planning Systems

Introduces automated flight planning tools and their data inputs, outputs, and limitations. Learners validate computer-generated plans against manual calculations.

Lesson 3 • International Flight Planning Requirements

Covers additional requirements for international operations including ICAO formats and overfly permits. Learners adapt domestic planning skills to global route complexity.

Lesson 4 • NOTAMs and Aeronautical Information

Teaches NOTAM retrieval, interpretation, and integration into flight planning decisions. Learners filter operationally significant NOTAMs from routine notices.

Lesson 1 • Fuel Planning Calculations

Applies wind, altitude, and aircraft performance data to compute accurate fuel loads. Learners practise manual and computer-assisted fuel planning methods.

Lesson 2 • Alternate Airport Selection

Covers criteria for selecting legal alternates based on weather, distance, and facilities. Learners evaluate alternate suitability under varying forecast conditions.

Lesson 3 • Dispatch Release Document

Defines the legal content and format of a dispatch release and its operational significance. Learners draft and review releases for regulatory completeness.

Lesson 4 • Irregular Operations Fuel Decisions

Addresses fuel decision-making during diversions, holding, and extended delays. Learners apply contingency thinking to protect fuel reserves under pressure.

Lesson 1 • Diversion Decision and Management

Covers criteria and process for recommending or approving in-flight diversions. Learners evaluate alternate options under time pressure and incomplete information.

Lesson 2 • Ground Stop and Flow Control

Explains ATC traffic management initiatives and their impact on airline operations. Learners develop strategies to minimise delay while complying with flow programmes.

Lesson 3 • Post-Event Analysis and Reporting

Covers mandatory reporting requirements and internal review processes following irregular events. Learners document events accurately and extract lessons for future operations.

Lesson 4 • In-Flight Emergency Support

Defines the dispatcher's role during declared emergencies including medical, mechanical, and security events. Learners practise rapid information gathering and resource coordination.

Lesson 1 • Human Factors in Dispatch Operations

Examines cognitive and physiological factors that degrade dispatcher performance. Learners apply mitigation strategies to maintain decision quality under stress and fatigue.

Lesson 2 • Integrated Scenario-Based Assessment

Applies all course competencies to complex, realistic dispatch scenarios under simulated operational pressure. Learners demonstrate readiness for certification and line operations.

Lesson 3 • Aeronautical Decision-Making Models

Introduces structured decision-making frameworks applicable to dispatch operations. Learners apply models to time-pressured scenarios with incomplete or conflicting data.

Lesson 4 • Safety Management System Principles

Covers SMS components including hazard identification, risk control, and safety assurance. Learners integrate SMS thinking into routine and non-routine dispatch tasks.