Student Dispatcher new to forum

Aeroscout840

Well-Known Member
Hello Friends:

Lots of great info here on my new career. Looking fwd to contribute when I'm able. I'm going to Sheffield in FL. Anyone else go there? Was it a good value?

Thanks Rich Waller
 
Hello, Rich. Welcome!

Sheffield is a great value. I went there and it's probably some of the best money ever spent. The training I received there has helped me get much more.

Hope you enjoy it- don't plan on going to the beach for a break. Or getting any sleep. For that matter, I'd just buy a Costco case of 5-Hour Energy and plan to stay up all night studying. It'll hurt for 6 weeks but you'll feel better afterward.
 
Welcome also.

You can't go wrong with Sheffield. You will have to study though.

As far as value, you will have to determine that, but in my opinion yes it is.
 
Hey Rich,

Just wanted to welcome you to JC. This site has a lot of people stop by and many on here are professionals that genuinely want to help the others out. That help could come in many forms including knowledge, advice, experiences, opinions, networking, and for some even jobs. You'll find a lot of value right here (best $0 you'll ever spend). Good luck in school and please keep us appraised if you can. Your contributions will benefit others.
 
Welcome to the thread. I actually just finished at Sheffield 2 weeks ago, so if you need any advice or help feel free to contact me. Great value and be prepared to work, however, if you know how to manage your time well you will do just fine.
 
Thanks for all the great info. I got study advice, current job prospects, accommodation advice, and made some new friends.

I am hip deep in studying for the ADX. Sheffield has a kick-ass collection of questions and online lectures. Strategy as of this moment is to go right into all the word and math, performance questions and really get a handle on the whys and hows in this material. After that go into the question bank and start to drill and rehearse.

Got off on tangent while studying EPR, and ended up reading the Florida Flight 90 accident report. Fascinating stuff that puts the study material in context.
 
If I can offer just a small bit of advice, I wouldn't worry so much about the how's and why's, I'd just go straight into the drill and rehearse. The test is designed as a memorize it, take it, and purge it sort of deal. There's other stuff that is important, but you'll get it as you go.
 
Been at it all day. As I get more into the stuff, I see what you mean. There was a few questions about the number of battery operated megaphones required to be on board -- It was "moment of clarity" type of thing.
 
ljg, said it best. Do not sit there and try to work out problems or understand the information. Memorize the questions and answers.... The test is a multiple choice test it is easier if you just memorize as most of the stuff in the book is not necessary.
 
Get the CD-ROM. You can create a test with all of the referenced Sheffield study guide questions. Go through that a couple of times a day until you have to take it or feel comfortable knowing all the answers for the ones on the list, and you'll do just fine. You'll have an opportunity the first two weeks in the course after class to ask the how's and why's, and many of those concepts you will never use again after you take the test.
 
At it again today, hard. Thanks for the direction. Strategy now: Test, grade, repeat. Question: Sheffield has 3 classes in addition to the basic.

Advanced Intl Flight Planning ($500) 2 days
ETOPS Extended Ops $300 1 day
EWINS $700 3 days

$1200 additional dollars is not doable. If I only do one, which one would you recommend (if any) ?
 
AIFP. Not that the other two aren't valuable, but ETOPS is a relatively simple concept (though saying you've been through an ETOPS course if you apply for a larger airline that may utilize it after your first job would be helpful, I would try to do both AIFP and ETOPS if doable) and it's unlikely that an EWINS workshop would impress a hiring manager, only if you have full EWINS certification would that be an asset, and the vast majority of dispatchers don't possess or require it.

AIFP really is an eye-opener as to the complexities and career possibilities of international flight. When you get a job someday at an international carrier, the information contained in the binder can be an excellent refresher to prepare you for what's ahead. For example, though my present company still hires folks without international experience for our international operation if they are otherwise well-qualified, I believe I had an edge over other applicants for that one open position in part due to a) an understanding that I knew what I was getting into, b) demonstrating that it was a genuine career interest shortly after completing my dispatcher certification and c) well, the company was impressed enough with the course material to suggest that they would consider giving a candidate a conditional job offer to those who had completed the course in lieu of actual international experience. When it's time to take that next job, you can always head back for free lifetime refresher training on the subject.
 
I took the AIFP/ETOPS courses at Sheffield after the main one, and I honestly think I might have gotten more out of them if I'd come back at a later date, when I wasn't so burned out from the regular dispatch class. I would still like to go back and do EWINS at some point as well (that one was not offered when I attended, yet.) If money is somewhat tight you might consider just waiting. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of good information in the ETOPS/AIFP classes...I just didn't really absorb it as well as I could have due to final/practical exam burnout.
 
Manniax said exactly what I was about to say. I think it may be best, although every situation is different, to wait on finishing the class and possibly getting your first job. Then eventually return for any if not all of the extra courses. You may be drained after the main course. I know I was, I certainly plan to return to take the AIFP and EWINS course in the future.
 
Update:
Studying for ADX and making good progress. Thank you again for the feedback. What worked for me was Kev's advice about getting the CD (at $60.00 it was a splurge). I used it to create a data base of all the questions that Sheffield has "learned" over the years are on the test. It feels great studying when you know you are not wasting time on questions you just will not see. That all said -- the Flight Log questions ...ugh. I thought I might be able to pass the ADX before class starts on Aug 22, but that may not be the case because of the IFR log stuff. Comments, advice...anyone.
 
That all said -- the Flight Log questions ...ugh. I thought I might be able to pass the ADX before class starts on Aug 22, but that may not be the case because of the IFR log stuff. Comments, advice...anyone.

Memorize the answer... don't get bogged down in it.
 
HI
How was your experience at Sheffield? Were the instructors helpful and good to learn from?
Was the course load doable? Meaning you can afford a few hours sleep per night?
Did you get any job leads when you were there?
Sheffield sounds like a good school for dispatching.
Regards,
 
Hey, not to change the subject, but what are the other options? The only decent word is out there about jepp, and this school. Anyone have any experience at others? Flamingo air?
 
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