Aviation Dispatcher Course

Lesson 1 • Dispatcher Workstation and Tools

Introduces the physical and digital environment where dispatchers operate. Students identify core software systems, communication equipment, and data feeds used daily.

Lesson 2 • Structure of Commercial Aviation

Covers airline operational hierarchy, regulatory bodies, and certificate types. Provides context for where the dispatcher function fits within the broader aviation system.

Lesson 3 • Dispatcher Legal Authority and Responsibility

Defines the dispatcher's shared authority with the pilot-in-command over flight release. Establishes accountability boundaries and the legal basis for dispatcher decisions.

Lesson 1 • Atmosphere and Weather Fundamentals

Covers atmospheric layers, pressure systems, and temperature gradients relevant to flight. Provides the physical science foundation needed to interpret aviation weather products.

Lesson 2 • Aviation Weather Products

Teaches decoding of METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, SIGMETs, and AIRMETs. Students apply each product type to assess current and forecast conditions along a route.

Lesson 3 • Hazardous Weather Phenomena

Identifies thunderstorms, icing, turbulence, wind shear, and low visibility as dispatch-critical hazards. Students assess severity levels and determine operational impact.

Lesson 1 • ETOPS and Extended Operations

Introduces extended-range twin-engine operations rules and their impact on route planning. Students identify ETOPS entry points, alternates, and fuel requirements.

Lesson 2 • Minimum Equipment List Application

Explains MEL structure, dispatch deviation guides, and inoperative equipment procedures. Students determine dispatch legality when aircraft systems are degraded.

Lesson 3 • Airframe and Powerplant Fundamentals

Introduces major aircraft systems including engines, hydraulics, electrical, and pressurisation. Dispatcher-relevant failure modes and MEL implications are highlighted.

Lesson 4 • Weight and Balance for Dispatch

Teaches centre-of-gravity limits, payload planning, and load distribution principles. Students calculate gross weight and verify balance within certified envelope limits.

Lesson 1 • Airspace Structure and Procedures

Describes controlled, uncontrolled, restricted, and special-use airspace classifications. Students identify airspace constraints that affect route selection and altitude assignment.

Lesson 2 • Navigation Fundamentals

Covers coordinate systems, great circle routes, magnetic variation, and chart types. Establishes the geographic and mathematical basis for all route planning tasks.

Lesson 3 • Oceanic and Remote Area Planning

Addresses track systems, position reporting, and contingency procedures for oceanic routes. Students apply oceanic entry requirements and HF communication protocols.

Lesson 1 • Alternate Airport Selection

Teaches criteria for selecting suitable alternates based on weather, distance, and facilities. Students apply regulatory weather minima to qualify or disqualify alternate airports.

Lesson 2 • In-Flight Fuel Monitoring

Develops procedures for tracking fuel burn against the plan during flight. Students identify fuel-critical situations and initiate appropriate dispatcher responses.

Lesson 3 • Fuel Policy and Regulatory Requirements

Explains minimum fuel components required by regulation and airline policy. Students distinguish trip fuel, reserve fuel, alternate fuel, and contingency fuel roles.

Lesson 1 • Pilot-Dispatcher Release Agreement

Addresses the joint sign-off process and what happens when pilot and dispatcher disagree. Students practise negotiation scenarios and understand escalation procedures.

Lesson 2 • Constructing the Dispatch Release

Explains required elements of a dispatch release document and how each is populated. Students draft a complete release integrating route, fuel, weather, and MEL data.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Flight Dispatch Checklist

Covers all items a dispatcher must verify before authorising a flight. Students apply a systematic checklist covering weather, NOTAMs, aircraft status, and crew legality.

Lesson 1 • Diversion Planning and Execution

Teaches real-time alternate selection, fuel assessment, and crew notification during diversions. Students manage a simulated diversion from initial trigger to aircraft on ground.

Lesson 2 • Ground Stop and Flow Control

Explains traffic management initiatives, ground delay programmes, and their dispatcher implications. Students calculate revised departure times and communicate holds to affected crews.

Lesson 3 • Delay and Cancellation Decision Making

Covers criteria for delaying or cancelling flights due to weather, mechanical, or crew issues. Students weigh operational, safety, and passenger impact factors in each scenario.

Lesson 1 • In-Flight Emergency Support

Covers dispatcher actions during medical emergencies, fires, pressurisation loss, and fuel emergencies. Students coordinate with crew, ATC, and ground services simultaneously.

Lesson 2 • Emergency Declaration and Classification

Defines MAYDAY and PAN-PAN declarations, their triggers, and dispatcher responsibilities. Students identify when to initiate emergency support and what resources to activate.

Lesson 3 • Safety Reporting and Investigation Support

Teaches mandatory safety reporting obligations and how dispatchers support accident investigations. Students complete sample safety reports and understand data preservation duties.

Lesson 4 • Search and Rescue Coordination

Explains overdue aircraft procedures, SAR activation, and dispatcher communication with authorities. Students practise alerting sequences and maintaining a communication log.