Flight Operations Dispatcher Course

Lesson 1 • Aviation Regulatory Framework Overview

Introduces the regulatory bodies and rule sets governing dispatch operations. Connects compliance requirements to daily dispatcher tasks.

Lesson 2 • The Dispatcher's Role and Authority

Defines the dispatcher's joint operational control authority alongside the pilot-in-command. Establishes the legal and operational basis for dispatch decisions.

Lesson 3 • Dispatcher Ethics and Decision-Making

Covers professional standards, ethical obligations, and safety culture in dispatch. Builds the mindset required for sound operational judgment.

Lesson 1 • Atmospheric Science Fundamentals

Covers pressure, temperature, humidity, and atmospheric layers relevant to flight. Provides the physical basis for understanding weather phenomena.

Lesson 2 • Hazardous Weather Phenomena

Identifies thunderstorms, icing, turbulence, and low-visibility conditions affecting dispatch. Teaches avoidance strategies and alternate planning triggers.

Lesson 3 • Weather Minimums and Alternate Planning

Applies regulatory weather minimums to departure, destination, and alternate selection. Integrates forecast uncertainty into conservative dispatch decisions.

Lesson 4 • Aviation Weather Products and Reports

Teaches decoding of METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, and area forecasts. Connects each product to specific dispatch planning decisions.

Lesson 1 • Air Traffic Control Coordination

Describes ATC roles, clearance processes, and flow control programmes. Teaches dispatchers how to anticipate and respond to ATC-driven delays.

Lesson 2 • Route Planning and Optimisation

Applies navigation and airspace knowledge to select efficient, compliant routes. Balances fuel economy, weather avoidance, and ATC constraints.

Lesson 3 • Navigation Fundamentals for Dispatchers

Covers coordinate systems, magnetic variation, and basic navigation calculations. Establishes the geographic literacy required for route analysis.

Lesson 1 • Aircraft Systems Overview for Dispatchers

Surveys powerplant, hydraulic, electrical, and pressurisation systems relevant to dispatch. Focuses on system failures that affect operational decisions.

Lesson 2 • Weight, Balance, and Payload Planning

Explains centre-of-gravity limits, payload restrictions, and load planning principles. Ensures dispatchers can verify aircraft loading compliance before release.

Lesson 3 • Minimum Equipment List Application

Teaches how to use the MEL to determine dispatch legality with inoperative equipment. Connects MEL categories to operational and maintenance decisions.

Lesson 4 • Extended Operations and Special Approvals

Addresses ETOPS, polar, and other special operation requirements affecting dispatch. Teaches additional planning steps and contingency requirements.

Lesson 1 • Flight Release Document Preparation

Covers the legal requirements and content standards for the dispatch release. Teaches accurate completion and crew briefing of release documents.

Lesson 2 • Fuel Calculation Methods

Teaches manual and computerised fuel calculation techniques for various route types. Builds accuracy and cross-check habits for fuel planning.

Lesson 3 • Alternate Airport Selection

Applies weather, performance, and fuel criteria to select compliant alternate airports. Integrates alternate selection into the overall fuel plan.

Lesson 4 • Fuel Monitoring During Flight

Establishes dispatcher responsibilities for in-flight fuel monitoring and intervention. Connects en-route fuel checks to diversion and emergency decisions.

Lesson 1 • Computerised Flight Planning Systems

Introduces automated flight planning software architecture and data inputs. Develops proficiency in generating and validating computer-generated flight plans.

Lesson 2 • Operational Flight Plan Review

Teaches systematic review of completed flight plans for accuracy and compliance. Develops a structured cross-check methodology before crew briefing.

Lesson 3 • Integrating Weather into the Flight Plan

Applies meteorological data to route selection, altitude optimisation, and fuel planning. Reinforces the connection between weather analysis and flight plan outputs.

Lesson 1 • In-Flight Emergency Support

Defines dispatcher responsibilities during declared emergencies and distress situations. Teaches communication protocols and resource coordination with ATC and company.

Lesson 2 • Diversion Planning and Execution

Covers real-time diversion airport selection, fuel assessment, and crew coordination. Builds the dispatcher's ability to support in-flight diversion decisions rapidly.

Lesson 3 • Network Recovery and Recontrol

Addresses strategies for restoring normal operations after widespread disruptions. Develops prioritisation and resource allocation skills for network recovery.

Lesson 4 • Irregular Operations Classification

Defines categories of irregular operations from minor delays to full network disruptions. Establishes the decision triggers and escalation thresholds for each category.

Lesson 1 • Strategic Operational Planning

Covers proactive planning for seasonal operations, special events, and capacity constraints. Develops the dispatcher's ability to anticipate and mitigate systemic risks.

Lesson 2 • Risk Assessment in Dispatch Operations

Applies structured risk assessment models to dispatch decisions under uncertainty. Builds the analytical framework for evaluating compounding operational risks.

Lesson 3 • Crew Resource Management for Dispatchers

Adapts CRM principles to the dispatch environment for effective team communication. Strengthens assertiveness, briefing quality, and conflict resolution with flight crews.

Lesson 4 • Multi-Flight Workload Management

Develops strategies for managing simultaneous flights across a complex network. Teaches prioritisation, task delegation, and situational awareness under high workload.