Prospective Aircraft Dispatcher

Just a question, is the OP looking at dispatch class date based on his birthday? If not, I would advise him to wait for a class until hes closer to age 23. Dispatch schools will take him before than but freeze his license until age 23 to meet the reg.

I went to IFOD. It was loads of fun. Mark is awesome.
 
I'll be keeping an eye on this thread as I am too in FL and considering Sheffield. Although I did stumble across their online program, which would be nice as I could keep working and saving $$ for a move as there aren't too many SOC's here in MCO.
 
I'll be keeping an eye on this thread as I am too in FL and considering Sheffield. Although I did stumble across their online program, which would be nice as I could keep working and saving $$ for a move as there aren't too many SOC's here in MCO.

Yeah, AirTran SOC used to be in MCO - I think still is - but they usually require some experience to get hired and in any rate, will be moving to DFW soon once the merger with Southwest is complete. I think there might be some all-cargo operations near MCO though, but I'm not sure of this.
 
Capital Cargo in MCO isn't there anyone. So If you see that name while researching, just ignore it. They moved their contract stuff up to ILN with ABX's contract company.
 
Yeah I turn 23 in July so I will be 23 before I attend Sheffield. What does 121 mean? Iv'e seen it on these forums several times. I love snow and I might breathe easier once I get out of this Florida heat!
 
121 refers to Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations/ Code of Federal Regulations (FAR's or CFR's - people use both, though CFR is more correct.) It's the primary set of regulations that airlines in the US operate under. There are many other regulations also, and some airlines, which are technically charter companies, operate under 135.
 
Take a look into Airline Ground Schools in CVG.

They get you to the point where can pass you're test and set a very good baseline. They don't overwhelm you with all the "extra" stuff that you end up relearning when you land a job. They get you the info needed to get the ticket and let you get out in the real world and learn off of it. I did the fast track since I was already a pilot but all of their programs were very well constructed and logical.

www.agschools.com

Their instructors are actual current dispatchers who come on days off to cover the classes. In my fast track class, we had the former SOC manager for Astar teach the first 4 days and a UPS mid-level manager teach the last day.

Also be "advised" that the ATP and ADX are two DIFFERENT tests (if you didn't know already). So while it is great to use ATP test prep, just note that while very similar, there are differences. The ATP has a lot of extra flying stuff added since its for pilots. I know of at least one story where a DX candidate took the ATP by accident and it wasn't found out until they showed up to take their practical since all of his prep had been with ATP stuff.


I went the Airline Ground Schools Route, and also found it very well done. Also, I DID take the ATP test when I went in to take the ADX exam. (The administrator accidentally handed the wrong test to me). A few times during the exam I thought, "Hmmm, I don't remember studying that". But when all was said and done, I asked the test administrator if it was indeed the ADX exam, and they she realized her mistake. On a positive note, I did score very well on the ATP exam. HAHA-I always remember that day.
 
Iv'e been trying to figure out how the best way to go about studying for the ADX. As of right now, I'm reading the chapters several times and then covering up the answers with a sheet of paper and attempt to write down the right answer. I know Iv'e read on here several times to not try and understand what your reading necessarily. I'm still taking in all of the abbreviations and slowly trying to figure them out. It makes for hell even trying to understand what your reading.
 
That's the best way with the book. Just keep answering the questions till you have them memorized. You will learn it all @ school but you won't have the time to study for the ADX. So it's really a must to get through it now as best you can. I actually had the software included in my student kit and I have to say I found it much easier to learn the answers on the computer. It was a lot quicker for me. It's the Gleim ATP test prep software. If you decide to get it, make sure when installing it you choose ADX - otherwise you'll be studying extra stuff that you don't need for the ADX test. Good luck! :)
 
Ok so is it safe to ONLY study the recommended 600 questions that Sheffield gives you after signing up? Does the Gleim ADX software also narrow down the 1,513 question bank? I have a little over a month to soak in as much as possible. What do y'all recommend? I would rather study 600 questions than the 1,513.
 
The software does not narrow that down but you can be selective in choosing what you study. For example, you can choose certain sections and subsections before populating your "random" tests/study sessions.
 
The 600 questions Sheffield gives you is good. It covers the stuff most likely to be on the ADX and you'll pass if you know their stuff and passing is the most important part since it's not relevant after you pass it.

If you want a narrowed down question bank from the 1,513 try Sheppard Air. They are known for their ATP prep, but I did the ADX prep and highly recommend it! It narrows the question bank to 880.
 
Ok so is it safe to ONLY study the recommended 600 questions that Sheffield gives you after signing up? Does the Gleim ADX software also narrow down the 1,513 question bank? I have a little over a month to soak in as much as possible. What do y'all recommend? I would rather study 600 questions than the 1,513.
Yeah it's safe. I studied them and passed pretty easily. Since I'm a slow test taker, what I did was study all the reg questions so I knew them like the back of my hand. Then I practiced the all the weight and balance, navigation, ect questions so I had a pretty good i deal how to do them. When it came time to take the ADX, I went through all the Reg questions first, and by the time I finished them, I knew at worst I missed maybe three of them and if I got 5 out of the last 30 correct (non reg, calculation questions), I'd pass fine, and I did. Just remember, the FAA is too lazy to try to trick you. They aren't going to change the numbers in problems or rearrange the figures in the testing book. It'll all be the same. Anyways, best of luck and keep in mind the ADX is the easy part!
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. As far as the FAR Part 121 and 135, do the dispatchers need to know Part 135? For example, chapter 5 in the ATP test prep book?
 
Although I've been contacted (I had one interview and hopefully the second one will lead to an interview) by 2 part 135 carriers so its probably not a bad thing to read over. Although I wouldn't worry about it while studying for the ADX.
 
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