Aircraft Dispatcher Positions

Aircraft Dispatchers are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of an air carrier's fleet. They ensure that all factors affecting safety are considered and plan the flight along the most efficient route available.  Each flight is different and requires the aircraft dispatcher to carefully review all of the available information before a flight may be released by the airline or company operational control center.

Some of the factors that are considered by the Aircraft Flight Dispatcher include but are not limited to:

• Weather
  • at the departure airport
  • along the route of flight
  • at the destination airport
  • at an alternate airport
• Fuel
  • total fuel consumed during the flight
  • additional fuel for weather avoidance
  • required fuel for holding
  • fuel to an alternate airport
• Aircraft
  • mechanically suited for the flight
  • navigation limitations
  • maximum weight & balance limitations
  • performance
• Aircrew
  • meet required qualifications for the flight
  • meet required currency standards
  • have adequate rest 

Aircraft Flight Dispatchers are an intergral part of any flight operation center. They share equal responsilbility with the pilot for the safe operation of a flight.  Aircraft Flight Dispatchers are responsible for the pre-planning, in flight monitoring (including pertinent weather information), and assuring that each flight reaches its final destination in a safe and timely manner.

The airline industry's safety record has been enhanced and the role of an Aircraft Flight Dispatcher is now more important than ever before.  With complicated aircraft systems, busy air routes and removal of Flight Engineers from the flight deck, pilots rely on FAA Certificated Aircraft Flight Dispatchers for accurate and timely information.