Jobs as a dispatcher

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photofly
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Jobs as a dispatcher

Post by photofly »

I'm asking this question on behalf of a young man I know who's interested in training as and working as an aircraft despatcher, particularly on a part time basis. He has ramp and airport security experience in his native Angola, and as a new immigrant to Canada he's interested in something he can do part time while at college. Could he qualify as an aircraft dispatcher? What's the job market like? What courses/training should he be looking at?

Thanks for any suggestions.
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benoit.baril
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Re: Jobs as a dispatcher

Post by benoit.baril »

Depending for what type of operations:
1. He could work as a dispatcher for a small company or flight school and learn on the job.
2. He could study & write TC's FD-OPS & FD-MET exams and go work for a bigger operation.
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DXR
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Re: Jobs as a dispatcher

Post by DXR »

I personally havent seen any companies that have certified dispatchers on a part time basis but who knows. If hes looking for something in an ops environment part time while in school, I would look at some of the small charter companies looking for operations coordinators or flight followers. There really isnt any formal training that he needs to do prior to applying for one of those positions. If he does want to qualify for a certified dispatcher position he would have to write the two transport exams for Operations and Meterology. He can self study for those exams and there is a study guide on the TC website that has a list of reference materials. There are courses out there but its not required to take them.

Hope that helps

Cheers
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CallMeMister
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Re: Jobs as a dispatcher

Post by CallMeMister »

I assume that we are talking about Certified Dispatch Jobs,

A flight dispatcher is like a ground captain, except where the captain is operating a single aircraft, an airline dispatcher can be responsible for up to 50 aircraft during a single shift, including charting routes and alternates, calculating fuel loads and aircraft weight, monitoring flights (known as “flight watch”) and taking decisions whether to divert or cancel flights if an aircraft cannot continue to operate safely. A dispatcher is also plugged into air traffic control to ensure the most efficient routings and minimize costly air traffic control delays.

An airline dispatcher makes joint decisions with the flight captain to ensure a safe and efficient flight, including giving the crew a situational update prior to departure, including aircraft activity and weather information and feeding data to the flight deck en route.
Flight dispatchers must be Transport Canada licensed, scoring at least 70 per cent on every exam. The dispatcher is also expected to demonstrate the same level of knowledge and proficiency in decision-making as the flight crew. A commercial pilot licence, flight services specialist experience, air traffic control experience or related experience within a flight operations centre can improve career prospects, especially with the larger air carriers.

Small air operators and/or flight school hire so called flight ''dispatcher'' and they work as administrative clerks. Type C Dispatch : Payed between minimum salary.. and top to about 14$/h

A Type A or B Flight dispatcher starts at 22-25$/h

If you're friend is interested into real flight Dispatching he must pass his TC exams and find a company that will do his OTJ training prior his Check Ride from TC to get his papers.

Work as part time is possible in smaller airlines, but very rare. Usually you ll see shifts : 12h shift 4on 4off, or 3on 4off.


Hope it helps
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Lotro
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Re: Jobs as a dispatcher

Post by Lotro »

Myself and another colleague have considered getting into dispatch as a career, but I've never understood the career track.

For a pilot it's a clearly defined (and expensive!) training package and then either instructing or washing planes in far away places for about 5 years and if you're lucky then a job with some airline. I know I'm oversimplifying, but this journey is well documented on this site.

For a dispatcher, I don't understand what happens. If I study and I'm smart, I can pass the exams, but then, where do you work? I see porter always hiring dispatchers and occasionally other places, but all of them want you to have 2+ years experience. Where does the experience come from?

Any insight that could be provided would be great.

~Lotro
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benoit.baril
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Re: Jobs as a dispatcher

Post by benoit.baril »

Any other job in an airline or at an airport is a good place to start.
And just because the ad says they want you to have experience doesn't mean they won't call you.
Anybody who passed the exams is a valuable asset IMHO.
Good luck!
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CallMeMister
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Re: Jobs as a dispatcher

Post by CallMeMister »

Lotro wrote:Myself and another colleague have considered getting into dispatch as a career, but I've never understood the career track.

For a pilot it's a clearly defined (and expensive!) training package and then either instructing or washing planes in far away places for about 5 years and if you're lucky then a job with some airline. I know I'm oversimplifying, but this journey is well documented on this site.

For a dispatcher, I don't understand what happens. If I study and I'm smart, I can pass the exams, but then, where do you work? I see porter always hiring dispatchers and occasionally other places, but all of them want you to have 2+ years experience. Where does the experience come from?

Any insight that could be provided would be great.

~Lotro
Hey Lotro,

Step one : Understand What is a Flight Dispatcher

Step two : You need to Pass two exam, FD-MET & FD-OPS at an Transport Canada Examination Office. Those exams are similar to the ATPL exam, any ATPL book or eventually CPL book you can get your hands on is good material. CARs and AIM also a must know. You can use the TP 12513 Document available on TC website which is the Study Guide. Exams are free at this time.

Step Three : Get a ROC-A permit ( Radio licence ) Its not a must, but it takes 30 minutes, and you have this on top. Get this at any flying school etc..

Step Four : Don't wait for the job, go get the job. If you have no experience as a Pilot or Dx; apply to small Airlines, under 10 A/C with a Type B Dispatch certificate.

Once you get hired, you go through their Company Specific training approved by TC. ( usually 3 up to 6 months ) + Company Ground School. Once you've done all that, You have a Check Dispatcher approved by Transport Canada that will come to your workplace and do your ''Checkride'' with him. Once you passed and satisfy the TC guy, he signs your Dispatcher Licence, and you are now a qualified Dx with full authority on a Flight Release and taking Co-authority of the safety of the flight.

Understand that most companies are advertising Flight Dispatching Jobs with experience, so don't waste your time waiting for an ad. Just send your CV and cover letters to small airlines around Canada. The pay starts at about 22$/h goes up to around 28$/h in those small airlines, and when you get experience, you get 30$ and over in bigger company WJ, AC...

Hopefully that answered your question.

The path is defined, altho I agree it is unclear but it is defined.

Also, don't waste your time on applying to Jobs with Type C dispatch it must be Type A or B. Type C doesnt give you Dispatching Experience.


CallMeMister
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VINULI31
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Re: Jobs as a dispatcher

Post by VINULI31 »

Does any body have study material in pdf for Transport Canada Generic Exam for 2 papers ,I have already FAA Aircraft Dispatcher License as well as DGCA Approval for Flight Dispatcher on A-320/321/319 and I want to give Transport Canada Exam
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Last edited by VINULI31 on Fri Jan 21, 2022 2:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Jobs as a dispatcher

Post by W5 »

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flymore
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Re: Jobs as a dispatcher

Post by flymore »

My friend took a 1 week in-class course offered in Toronto. They’ve been running it for 20+ years and are connected to most of the airlines.

https://flightdispatchtraining.com/

Good time to get into dispatch. Lots of vacancies at many Canadian airlines.
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