Aircraft dispatchers make up one of the many nonflying occupations in the aviation industry. After all, without aviation professionals working on the ground, airplanes could never make it up to the friendly skies and back again.

An Aircraft Dispatcher's Role
An aircraft dispatcher is considered the "captain on the ground"; together with the pilot, the dispatcher ensures the safety of the flight. In short, aircraft dispatchers furnish the flight plan. We're not talking about the Jodie Foster thriller here -- the flight plan enables the aircraft to arrive at its destination on schedule, with the maximum payload and the least operating cost. To execute a successful flight plan, the aircraft dispatcher must take a variety of factors into account: wind, altitude, precipitation, air traffic, fuel, and alternate destinations. Without the signature of the aircraft dispatcher alongside the pilot's, the aircraft may not be released for flight.

From the moment the aircraft is off the ground until it lands, the aircraft dispatcher continues to be responsible for its safety. From his or her post in the airline operations office or control center, the dispatcher maintains constant watch over the aircraft and serves as the liaison between the pilot and ground service personnel, keeping everyone concerned with the flight informed of its status.

As an Aircraft Dispatcher, Experience Is Essential
In order to do their job, aircraft dispatchers must be familiar with navigation facilities over airline routes and at airports. Practical experience is required as well -- dispatchers must ride in the cockpit jump seat on "familiarization flights" for a minimum of five hours each calendar year to observe flight routes, conditions, and airports. This also ensures familiarity with the takeoff, cruising, and landing characteristics of all aircraft operated by the airline.

For such a major responsibility - the lives of countless passengers and flight crew personnel are at stake - aircraft dispatchers need vast knowledge and practical experience as measured by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification exams.

Earning FAA Certification
To become an aircraft dispatcher, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and an FAA dispatcher certificate. To earn the certificate, you must be at least 23 years old and possess a combination of experience, knowledge, and skill in order to pass the aircraft dispatcher knowledge test and the practical test.

The knowledge test is a three-hour, 80-question multiple-choice exam. The practical test covers six areas of operation: flight planning and dispatch release; preflight, takeoff, and departure; in-flight procedures; arrival, approach, and landing procedures; post-flight procedures; and abnormal and emergency procedures.

What Kinds of Courses are Available?
Many aircraft dispatcher schools offer six-week, 200-hour training programs that incorporate FAA certification testing into the course schedule. Accelerated courses may be offered to current airline employees; online courses are available as well. Of course, your aircraft dispatcher training course must be FAA-approved. Some schools even offer aircraft dispatcher certification programs as part of an aeronautical science or aviation management degree program.

Though aircraft dispatcher schools prepare students for the required standardized tests, they focus on providing maximum exposure to real-world dispatch instruction, application, and preparation.

Aircraft Dispatcher Education
At aircraft dispatcher schools, you will learn FAA regulations on airline operations inside and out. You will also become proficient in the science of meteorology as well as the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

To compete for jobs, you'll need experience, which is exactly what aircraft dispatcher schools provide. In a formal aircraft dispatcher program, you'll gain practical experience monitoring, analyzing, and calculating a variety of flight factors, including weather reports and NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), runway performance, weight and balance issues, ATC (air traffic controller) preferred routes, and fuel needs in order to create and update flight plans.

When you opt for formal training at aircraft dispatcher schools, you'll be able to do much more than pass the FAA certification exams -- you'll be well-prepared for a commanding aviation career.