Dispatch cert course question

[8sm]

I am considering one of the various Dispatch schools mention within JC.

Congrats, to those new or recent licensed dispatchers additionally, it would be helpful and appreciated information to share your experience with your School and its course.

Did your school experience feel like a license/certificate mill/

Alternatively, did the school deliver a meaningful useful skill building experience, which gave you confidence, moving into an employer’s flight operations department and their training.

Any additional comments on the instructors, housing and class lectures, content and the School names and location.

Lastly, a question for the experienced dispatchers, what schools delivered the best-prepared new dispatchers to your flight operations department.

If preferred please PM.

I thank you in advance for your response......8sm

[mission_aviation]

I don't know if you've gotten any PM replies, but everytime I post questions in this subforum, I get no response. Your best bet would be to look in the previous threads to seek the answers you are looking for. It seems that everyone has forgotten this subforum exists.

[BigFellor]

I can't speak for any of the traditional dispatch schools, but I went through the dispatch certification course at the local community college here in Dayton. Was a very good experience there, and it helped quite a bit that they used PSA's FOM, OpsSpecs, etc. Helped a bunch when I actually got hired on at PSA. It took a little longer than the traditional schools, mostly because of the quarter system the school is on (and having to work full time while going), but the various instructors were all very accessible and knowledgeable. Good luck to you. It can be an interesting profession.

[8sm]

Thanks Misssion...I did just receive your PM and just responded today.

BigFellor,
Thanks for your insight...I've been through commercial /instrument grounds schools were someone sat at the podium and read from the test book verbatim, stopping to take a drink and breaks every 2hours. To say the least I was disappointed. Having said that, I do not want to plop down $4k for more of the same.

Ideally, I would like to find a school/course offering the information not only to pass the knowledge and practical test, but some experience related to the actual job. I was hoping to find some recent graduates, which would offer their experience. I have searched for some other Dispatch forums without much luck or they do not have much activity. Any suggestions?

I believe IFOD uses B737 aircraft system, performance & WB platform for their calculations in their training. One school/course I spoke with use the 727, I question how up to date they are with their information.

I would like to end up with a school offering the best realistic training and most up to date information, which could minimize the risk, ala washout, within a flight department’s in house training.

Another thing is my age, 50, this is a second career, and I am retired. I ran my own business for the last 20 plus years. I hold a CSEL-I/MEL-I.

Additionally, in my early 20's, I worked for a major airline in reservations and have 2.5 years as a station mgr for a grand canyon touring co. The duties involved working closely with our pilots, dispatch, operations to name a few.

I am a very detail, reliable, thinking ahead type person that loves aviation. I could see myself doing this job for 10-15 years.

No aspirations of taking the flight deck, just becoming an Aircraft Dispatcher.

Thanks again.......8sm

[mission_aviation]

Looks like your already ahead of all of us. I should be asking you for advice. Well good luck in your decision.

[8sm]

Hi Mission A,

I really appreciate your advise. My avaition ratings and airline experiences has some dust & cobwebs to clear. I am gratiful to have some knowledge and experiences to drawn upon during the course. The ATP rating is like a Pilot's DR. degree, not the easy task, there is alot to learn. Yet, the instrument rating was a tough one, but not impossible. Heck....if I can do it yada yada yada.

Have you already sign up to attend IFOD next class in June. I spoke with the owner/ceo, very knowledgeable and informational. You have a great choice in IFOD.

[mission_aviation]

Originally Posted by 8sm

Hi Mission A,

I really appreciate your advise. My avaition ratings and airline experiences has some dust & cobwebs to clear. I am gratiful to have some knowledge and experiences to drawn upon during the course. The ATP rating is like a Pilot's DR. degree, not the easy task, there is alot to learn. Yet, the instrument rating was a tough one, but not impossible. Heck....if I can do it yada yada yada.

Have you already sign up to attend IFOD next class in June. I spoke with the owner/ceo, very knowledgeable and informational. You have a great choice in IFOD.

Thanks for the insight. I'm sign up and ready to rock. I leave Fort Knox on June 14. I'll be in town between the 15th and 16th. I'm very excited about starting class. I'm starting in the opposite direction than you. I'm going to get the dispatch cert. to gain employment while working on my flight training. I have to pay the bills some how, I figured might as well enjoy the flight benefits in the meantime. Thanks, I think IFOD is a good choice as well.

[BigFellor]

Originally Posted by mission_aviation

I'm going to get the dispatch cert. to gain employment while working on my flight training. I have to pay the bills some how, I figured might as well enjoy the flight benefits in the meantime. Thanks, I think IFOD is a good choice as well.

I'm doing the same, as well as another guy here at PSA. Also, should you ever lose your medical, you have something to fall back on, and companies like to hire from within.

[lwaldeck]

I just got my Dx license at Sheffield last Friday. If you'd like any info. on them, let me know...