I am starting week 4 of the 6 week dispatcher course, and although I am doing well on my exams, I constantly feel behind as far as regulations getting mixed up (the reg numbers, not the minimums), and am forgetting things I have learned for other tests so quickly(like weight/balance) that I have little to no time to keep the topics fresh in my mind while studying for the next test. Is this normal? Any tips, much appreciated.
Is it normal to feel overwhelmed during the 200 hour training?
- Thread starter flik221
- Start date
Hecklers2002
M.82
It's perfectly normal in my opinion. If you have no prior experience or aviation background, it can be even more overwhelming. It's a lot of information to take in during a short period of time.
If you haven't done the written exam yet then I'd suggest going over those practice tests in the GLEIM or those online aids such as Sheppard Air.
As far as remembering regs, you won't get them all in 6 weeks but study groups and flash cards are a good place to start in helping you remember them.
I'm sure other folks can pitch in some other great ideas on here as well. Good luck and hope you get your license soon.
womanpilot73
Well-Known Member
Totally normal... I didn't know how it was going to all come together by the end, but somehow it all does. Especially once you start flight planning. Then you are actually using the regs as opposed to just trying to memorize them. Hang in there...it will all come together. You'll see! 
Brett Spurgeon
Well-Known Member
You'll feel like you're drinking from a fire hose even after you get through the class and then a couple months into your first dispatch job. But then it gets easier and becomes really, really fun!
nyk
Well-Known Member
Yes. I came from the management side and knew nothing operational. I felt like the first few weeks were just murder. I was doing 4hr days 5days a week. I can't imagine what you feel. After the course my professor said he was impressed how far I came by the end. I don't know how I did it but I did.
av8or757
Well-Known Member
Absolutely. I was very worried I'd wash out.
5 weeks of class time, vacation and nearly six grand down the drain weighed on me heavily before the written.
You'll get through it and it'll be the most rewarding feeling because you'll know you EARNED it.
Keep up the study. After I passed my written I celebrated that night by telling my wife,mom and more studying.
Whatever I got wrong on the exams I went over that again and prepped for everything else I was expecting the next day.
Currently I have applications out and it's a constant reading of random METAR's, TAF's, and NOTAMS until I hit on something. I really need to brush up on my REG's because I've been doing my best to stay up on the aforementioned items.
After class my instructor said read a METAR a day. I've been doing at least 2-3 random stations.
5 weeks of class time, vacation and nearly six grand down the drain weighed on me heavily before the written.
You'll get through it and it'll be the most rewarding feeling because you'll know you EARNED it.
Keep up the study. After I passed my written I celebrated that night by telling my wife,mom and more studying.
Whatever I got wrong on the exams I went over that again and prepped for everything else I was expecting the next day.
Currently I have applications out and it's a constant reading of random METAR's, TAF's, and NOTAMS until I hit on something. I really need to brush up on my REG's because I've been doing my best to stay up on the aforementioned items.
After class my instructor said read a METAR a day. I've been doing at least 2-3 random stations.
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DispatcherSam
Well-Known Member
Myself, I had no aviation background but I also don't have the learning/testing anxiety that a lot of people have. There were others in my class that I felt held me back because of various reasons. Once you get to an airline, prepare to get overwhelmed again.
Aeroscout840
Well-Known Member
Quizlet is a flashcard website that is good for creating study aides. There is a ton of stuff on there that is aviation related as well.
pljenkins
Resident Knucklehead
Completely normal to feel totally overwhelmed and defeated at this point. It is important that you not get down on yourself and start "going negative". In spite of what it feels like, you are absorbing what you need to get by.
Don't put too much weight into this 6 week course teaching you how to dispatch. This course is designed to teach you the CONCEPTS of dispatching and getting you to think like an aviator. When you get to work you will learn the MECHANICS of being a dispatcher from that airline.
I know maybe 1 or 2 dispatchers out there that can recite FARs chapter and verse. Don't get twisted up trying to memorize what part 121.167 says, just know how to quickly find the information.
You'll be fine. Keep pounding away at it!
Don't put too much weight into this 6 week course teaching you how to dispatch. This course is designed to teach you the CONCEPTS of dispatching and getting you to think like an aviator. When you get to work you will learn the MECHANICS of being a dispatcher from that airline.
I know maybe 1 or 2 dispatchers out there that can recite FARs chapter and verse. Don't get twisted up trying to memorize what part 121.167 says, just know how to quickly find the information.
You'll be fine. Keep pounding away at it!
manniax
Well-met in the Ka-tet
I agree with @pljenkins and the other responders here - it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed towards the later part of your class, but it all does start to click towards the end. Then you get to feel overwhelmed again when you get a job and go through their initial training, etc. Hang in there, though, keep working hard and I"m sure you'll pass your class with flying colors.
Hang in there, though, keep working hard and I"m sure you'll pass your class with flying colors.