Flight Dispatcher

Flight dispatchers co-ordinate all activities on the ground at an airport to ensure the safe, quick and efficient turnaround of aircraft from when they land to the time they depart. They are also known as turnaround coordinators (TCOs) or flight operations officer.

About the Career

Flight Dispatchers are crucial aviation professionals who work behind the scenes to ensure safe and efficient flight operations. They collaborate with pilots to create flight plans, monitor weather conditions, and coordinate aircraft movements. Using advanced computer systems, weather data, and regulatory knowledge, they make critical decisions about flight routes, fuel requirements, and payload calculations. Flight Dispatchers share joint responsibility with pilots for the safety and operational control of flights, making them essential members of the airline's operational team. They must remain constantly vigilant of changing conditions and be ready to adjust plans to maintain both safety and efficiency.

On the Job You Will

Planning flight paths while considering factors like aircraft performance, weather, airspace restrictions, and airport conditions
Staying alert for changes in weather, air traffic, or aircraft performance
Advise pilots of any changes in conditions and ensure that adjustments are made
Coordinate all ground activities to ensure the aircraft turns around safely, quickly, and efficiently.
Arrange for necessary maintainence to restore service and schedules.

Details

Average Salary: $43,830
Salary Range: $29,200 - $70,360
Education: Certificate
Outlook: Great (11% - 20% growth)
Total Jobs (2024): 22,360

Education and Training

Basic Requirements to Attend Aircraft Dispatcher School

Before you begin your aircraft dispatcher training, you must meet these basic requirements:

Proficiency and fluency in English (required for all aircraft dispatchers).
Applicants under the age of 21 are not eligible for the aircraft dispatcher course.
Minimum high school education or international equivalent.

What is not required to begin your aircraft dispatcher training:

No higher education degree required.
No experience or background in aviation required.

You can read more aircraft dispatcher course requirements here.

Employers

NCTCOG does not endorse or promote programs listed on this website. Content is derived from college/university webpages and is intended to be a collection of available opportunities in the North Texas area. Always conduct due diligence when considering an educational program. Please contact the institution directly for more information.

There are thousands of careers that are behind the scenes to make the aviation industry run safely. President of the Airline Dispatchers Federation, Catherine Jackson, worked as a flight dispatcher for Southwest Airlines and shares what being a dispatcher is like.