Dispatchers

Cheers DarrenBe. Its sounds like a decent job, but the pay seems a little poor. But like you say, it is good experience for further jobs.

Johnny,

In the UK, a dispatcher is usually the person who co-ordinates the other ground services, fuel, baggage, catering, pushback crew etc, to ensure that the a/c is ‘dispatched’ on time. They are the ‘middle person’ between the crew and ramp/ground staff.

On top of this, a dispatcher is also responsible for ensuring the aircraft is loaded in accordance with the appropiate loading instruction. Making sure the load is distributed accordingly and ensuring the correct amount of ballast is loaded (if required) etc

The dispatcher may also be involved in producing the loadsheet, but this depends on the company. Some companies have a ‘Load Control’ department who produce the loadsheet (usually computerised).

As for pay, I understand that the average salary may be around £15,000 per year, depending on the company.

Despite the job being very demanding and having to work long hours in all weathers, it is one of the most sought after ground jobs at an airport. It is also a good way to build up experience if you want to move into the Ops side of things within an airline.

Darren

As always correct, detailed information

Originally posted by Johnny
So do ramp personnels work on the tarmac, doing pushbacks etc? Thats what I was talking about originally. Although that does sound interesting with the flight plans.

Yes. They do everything from pushing aircraft back from the gate to loading and unloading cargo/bags. It looks like an awful fun job on nice days but it’s anything but when it’s cold and raining.

So do ramp personnels work on the tarmac, doing pushbacks etc? Thats what I was talking about originally. Although that does sound interesting with the flight plans.

Interflug, I read in another thread you are working back at STN again. What do you do now, and who do you work for? My dad has been made redundant from FLS, the second time he has been made redundant on the airport in 12 months 🙁

Dispatcher is a great job! I did it from 1980 to 1987 and again from 90 thru to 96. Other than between these dates I was engaged on other Ops related tasks. If you love aircraft (as I think we all do ) then short of flying the things its possibly the best career in civil aviation there is. (Just my opinion),although I always wanted to try cabin crew! I hold licences for SAS, NWA and Cathay Pacific types, although these are now lapsed and are no longer relevant to my present career in the industry. In short I would’nt have missed it for the world-Go for it!

Thanks for the info, never knew that? You learn something new every day!

Originally posted by captainben
No he’s a supervisor, my mam’s best mate does that for easyjet at NCL, a dispatcher walks with the aircraft while pushing back and talks to the captain.

Actually dispatchers sit in front of computer screens in buildings quite possibly far away from the airport or any airplane. What you discribed is ramp personnel.

A dispatcher creates the flight plan taking into consideration weather, altitude, possible delays. mechanical limitations, weight limitations, etc. They file that flight plan with ATC. From there they put together a packet of information for the flight crew that includes the flight plan, weather reports for the route of flight as well as summaries of the planned route and mechanical issues.

Any questions a flight crew has about weather or possible delays before or during a flight are directed to the dispatcher either by phone, ACARS or radio. They have to be able to think quick and accurately. If a flight crew is given a new route by ATC that also includes a new cruising altitude they contact dispatch to see what the fuel penaties will be. The dispatcher will crunch the new numbers and give the flight crew a new expected fuel burn due to the longer route and change in altitude.

During all fights they handle during their shift they’ll monitor the progress of each aircraft. They have some pretty cool computer displays that they utilize. If they should see a building line of weather ahead they’ll contact aircraft that will be affected by it and offer options to get around the weather.

Just the other day we had our dispatcher contact us for icing reports aloft and on the descent. It turns out that one of our company aicraft behind us had a probe heat fail enroute which made flight into known icing conditions prohibitive. The dispatcher was contacting company aircraft ahead looking for a possible route of flight that the broken aircraft could flight to avoid any icing conditions. He had to work quick as we were all flying along at 500 mph.

I am trying to find some in the UK as well, but I did a google search and found very little. The USA one, in a way outlines the basics.

Leo’s Sound, and he is cool on his job. Would like to meet him one day. I’ve got a mate who is dispatcher for Star @ MAN, who failed is PPL. but got on dispatcher straight away.

Dispatchers

Does anybody have any info on schemes that are run in the UK as apposed to the USA?

I know, people like that really try hard to do there job, it’s the people complaining that are annoying.:mad:

I feel sorry for Leo, he tries but gets nowhere.

No he’s a supervisor, my mam’s best mate does that for easyjet at NCL, a dispatcher walks with the aircraft while pushing back and talks to the captain.

Dont know if this one is any good,
http://www.fltdisp.com/
It does look like a good career, but hard working

Do you need any specific qualifications to do it, and are there any websites you know of where I can find out about training etc?

Wys is right, the dispater is responsible for the safe, correct and on time departure of an aircraft.

They have to know an awful lot about the aircraft they are handling. Prior to departure they liaise with the flight crew, cabin crew, checkin, baggage handlers, cargo agents, fuel company, caterers etc etc. They compile a document called a load sheet which is presented to the Captain shortly before departure for his approval and signature. The load sheet contains all of the information required by the flight deck for the departure of their aircraft.

It’s a very important job and looks really interesting.

Purser

It’s a highly skilled and very responsible job. I believe that various colleges local to the more major airports run dispatcher courses which you can join off your own back. Once you have the qualification you should be welcomed into the industry.