FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Frequently Asked Questions

In the United States, Commercial Airlines (Part 121 or some Part 135) are required to use an FAA aircraft dispatcher.  There is required special training to receive this FAA aircraft dispatcher license.

An FAA Aircraft Dispatcher is required in the "System of Operational Control" and will share joint authority of a flight with the Captain (for Part 121 - Scheduled Airlines).  

The FAA Aircraft dispatcher will create the flight plan, making adjustments and plans for adverse/hazardous weather, weight and balance, reviewing aircraft readiness for the flight and ensuring the flight crew has been properly briefed before departure.   Once the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher and Pilot in Command both agree on the flight plan, the flight can begin!  Once enroute, the FAA aircraft dispatcher will monitor the progress of the flight and advise the flight crew of any weather changes, NOTAM's or changes to the flight, the flight crew might need to be made aware of.

This can often be confusing if you are just learning about Aviation or Airline Operations.

First, FAA Aircraft Dispatchers are different than Air Traffic Controllers.  Air Traffic Controllers are generally  government employees and work at various controlling facilities around the country.

Aircraft Dispatchers work for Airlines.

Each Part 121 or Part 135 Airline is required to have an Operational Control Center (OCC), also known as System Operations Control (SOC).  The wording/lingo differ from company to company,  regardless they are the same thing, the Control Center the manages that airlines flight operations.    These control centers are usually near the airlines Headquarters or main base of operations.

These airline control centers often house several operational departments to support the daily flight operation to include the following departments;

Flight Dispatch  or Flight Control- (Where Aircraft Dispatchers work from)

Crew Scheduling 

Maintenance Control

Materials - Aircraft on the Ground (AOG)

Maintenance Planning

Customer Care

By working together, all of these departments work together to seamlessly run an airline.

Most Regional Airlines (Part 121 or Part 135) start around $37,000-$45,000 Per Year.  Some charter or smaller cargo only airlines can be in the $35,000-$45,000 range, again, depends on the company and your ability to negotiate your starting rate.  After completing your aircraft dispatcher training, a regional airline would be one of the most likely places to start.  Some aircraft dispatchers are lucky enough to start at a major airline!

Starting salaries at the nations largest airlines  (passenger or cargo) begin around $55,000 as an Assistant Aircraft Dispatcher.  Most of the major airlines (United, American, Southwest, FEDEX, UPS and Delta) have similar top-end salaries. When overtime is available, or if you've completed additional training or qualifications at your airline, it's possible to make over $150,000 a year!

Much like any business, Airlines will have job postings when they need more employees.  Every company and their circumstance is different, however, airlines to some degree, will always need aircraft dispatchers because they are required by federal regulation in the United States for Part 121 (Scheduled) Airlines.

 There are a number of topics that the Federal Aviation Administration requires be taught during this course.  In addition to the FAA minimum topics, NAFC prides its self on teaching additional topics that will greatly benefit a new aircraft dispatcher, many of which are not taught at other schools.  Check out our Aircraft Dispatcher Class Page for more details!  A sample of the some of the topics covered include;

                   Aviation Weather                Navigation ( including flight planning)            Communications                          Aircraft Systems               Practical Dispatch Application                    Emergency Procedures      Air Traffic Control Processes         Emphasis on Team Work

 The great thing about the aircraft dispatcher job field is that every day is different!  Meaning you are not going be moving papers from the left side of your desk, to the right side and back again...every single day.

I believe most aircraft dispatchers feel a level of satisfaction at the end of the shift, knowing their role made a difference in someones life that day!  Greeting a pilot over the phone or radio, maximizing an aircraft payload to ensure all of customers were able to board the flight, effectively reviewing the weather to ensure you keep your customers, flight crew members and aircraft safe are just some of the tasks aircraft dispatchers handle on a daily basis.  

Will some days be stressful?  Of course, it would be unrealistic to think any job would not have stress.  You'll also have a few easy days....literally, somehow, everything operates on time, no mechanical issues, VFR weather across the board and some days (it won't happen often) your desk phone might not even ring during an entire shift!

 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires part 65 approved dispatch schools to have no more than 25 students per instructor.

It is unlikely you will find that many students in one class at North American Flight Control.  Why?

This is generally a very technical subject and very difficult to maintain a high quality graduate when you have one instructor trying to support 25 students!    You are likely to see class sizes between 5-15 at NAFC, with a 2nd full time instructor present when more technical topics are taught to ensure each student is receiving the support they need to succeed.   Check Out our Aircraft Dispatcher Class page to learn more!

North American Flight Control (NAFC) has 2 separate class rooms available.  We also have three full time instructors and several part time, so you shouldn't worry about your instructor being out sick!  Our instructors have the passion to see you succeed, not only at achieving your aircraft dispatcher license but  also by seeing you advance in your career, whatever your career goals are!

In addition, our facility is in a secure building with regular security services that ensure a well lit and safe parking lot!

We also have a break room with vending machines, microwave, sink, etc which is a great place to relax, eat a meal or catch up on a phone call or texting.  

Learn More about North American Flight Control!

No!

It's one of the great career fields that allows you the potential to earn $100,000 a year without a college degree and your future company may offer free travel benefits too!

North American Flight Control (NAFC) is excited to announce our Scholarship Program.  Checkout the link to our Scholarship page for more details about this great and unique opportunity!

NAFC offers Day, Night and Weekend FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Training programs!

We offer a variety of Day classes, which are Monday through Friday, 10 hours a day.  This program lasts five (5) weeks.

The Night class is also Monday  through Friday, 4 hours a night.  This program lasts 10 weeks.

Lastly, our weekend program is exclusively on Saturday and Sunday, 10 hours a day for 12 weeks.

Regardless, if your on a tight timeline or only have weekends open,  North American Flight Control is here to support your training needs!

North American Flight Control looks forward to further supporting our veterans!

Once we're approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, we'll  be coordinating with Veterans Affairs to become eligible to support GI Bill and VA funding!

Stay Tuned as we progress through the certification stage and thank you for your interest!