Beginning Aircraft Dispatching Career

[Kankles32]

1. Yes!
2. Study the ADX portion of the ASA/Gleim books.
3. No. IFOD will prep you for the test. Some schools do not, but IFOD will.

Thank you so much for the help!

Any idea what is covered on the written? Are aerodynamics covered more than FAR? Etc.

 

[BayouMLU]

Thank you so much for the help!

Any idea what is covered on the written? Are aerodynamics covered more than FAR? Etc.

Everything on the written is in the prep book. IFOD uses the ASA Prep the last I knew. I bought one in advance, but they give you one on the first day. ASA also has a pretty good app for $10 that's basically flashcards. The actual test is a healthy mix of everything. You may have more weather or regs than someone else. There's no way to know the exact breakdown in advance. Just learn it all.

 

[Flynchick]

Hello Everyone,

I would like to ask the community for any help and hints about the dispatching profession.

A little bit about my aviation background. There is none. I started with a fascination for sUAS at the beginning of 2017. Quickly learning all there is about this new industry and becoming Part 107 certified(I took the remotepilot101 course). During this time of learning METARs, TAFs, and NOTAMS I had ran into a friend of mine who is a Captain for Southwest. He introduced me to the career of Dispatching. I was hooked! From here he allowed me to directly call and ask Southwest dispatching about the profession. Out of all the knowledge I've gained from conversations and personal research, I'm still needing answers to a few questions.

Final note: I've enrolled at IFOD for the October 2nd start date and am currently studying Sheppard Air ADX test prep. Also, watching countless videos over aviation weather, approach plates, and other related material.

Questions:
1. Can someone with no aviation experience become an (successful) Airline Dispatcher/Coordinator?
2. What does the Oral and Practical tests cover?
3. Should I take the written before my class start date?
Anything related that the community would like to add would be greatly appreciated!

I am an IFOD graduate. Many in my class had no aviation background and were all successful in the class. You will receive a book in class after your 3rd week that will prepare you for the Oral exam. You need to know every detail in this book because all this material can be on your oral. You need to dedicated several hours every night in going over these questions.
You don't have to have the written done but helpful if you do. With no aviation background you might want to wait and get a better understanding of the material before you take the test. You will be very well prepared to take the test the 3rd week.
If you don't live in DFW I highly recommend staying at one of the hotels close to the school. The traffic got several people and they had to put in extra time because the FAA requires you to be there 200 hours.
Your instructor is great! He is very knowledgeable and you will be successful if you study hard. There is a test daily so prepare yourself the night before.
Remember for this 5 weeks of your life is dedicated to dispatch. Don't plan on doing anything else during this time! The people who didn't do good was the one's who tried to work during this time. They were always behind and several dropped out because they had very low scores. So my advice to you is plan on nothing else during this time.
FYI...It's very cold in the room. Take a jacket!
If I can answer any specific questions PM me~

 

[IJD]

Hello Everyone,

I would like to ask the community for any help and hints about the dispatching profession.

A little bit about my aviation background. There is none. I started with a fascination for sUAS at the beginning of 2017. Quickly learning all there is about this new industry and becoming Part 107 certified(I took the remotepilot101 course). During this time of learning METARs, TAFs, and NOTAMS I had ran into a friend of mine who is a Captain for Southwest. He introduced me to the career of Dispatching. I was hooked! From here he allowed me to directly call and ask Southwest dispatching about the profession. Out of all the knowledge I've gained from conversations and personal research, I'm still needing answers to a few questions.

Final note: I've enrolled at IFOD for the October 2nd start date and am currently studying Sheppard Air ADX test prep. Also, watching countless videos over aviation weather, approach plates, and other related material.

Questions:
1. Can someone with no aviation experience become an (successful) Airline Dispatcher/Coordinator?
2. What does the Oral and Practical tests cover?
3. Should I take the written before my class start date?
Anything related that the community would like to add would be greatly appreciated!

I had 0 aviation experience when I went to IFOD. Really very little knowledge other than what I had read online about aircraft dispatchers.
I did not take the written before class. I passed it my first time. Like other posters have said, you must dedicate these 5 weeks to studying. The people who fell behind were the people who did not study that much, if it all. The information comes at you fast. Do not be afraid to ask questions. In my class there were 4 of us that actually asked questions consistently or needed further clarification on something. Speak up if you don't know. Don't be embarrassed.

Like other posters have said, you must dedicate these 5 weeks to studying. The people who fell behind were the people who did not study that much, if it all.My schedule was wake up at 530, study till 645. Shower, eat breakfast, and walk to class. I stayed at the Comfort Inn which was a 5 minute walk to school. After class, study till 6, eat dinner, then study till 10. Then do it all over again the next day. Weekends were study mode too but I would give myself a break for a couple hours in between and run little errands. Also download the ATP app on your phone or tablet. It is 10 bucks and the best 10 bucks I spent. I would take a test for each chapter that we had completed. It really helped me prepare for the written. Once all the chapters are done you can take practice test that is just like the ADX. Great way to get extra practice in on top of all the tests that they give you at IFOD.