Starting out...

[Bovingdon]

Can anyone provide details on how/where/best way to get into Flight Ops or Dispatch with an airline? I know Dispatchers need special training/licences etc. But where from?
Cheers

[opsguy]

Some airlines insist on an FAA license for ops people, but by no means all. Suggest you look out at http://.flightinternational.net (http://www.flightinternational.net) on the jobs page for ops assistants jobs, a good way to start. There were some there earlier this week.

Look in local paper if you live near an airport, lots of airlines advertise for junior staff there.

Try employment agencies such as Kelly Services. Pertemps have an aviation side as well.

You could also cold call some airlines and ask if they want some ops assistants, sometimes that can work quite well.

Best of luck.

[This message has been edited by opsguy (edited 06 February 2000).]

[This message has been edited by opsguy (edited 06 February 2000).]

[Bovingdon]

Cheers for that!
Im about 5mins from LHR so it should be okay!
Any particular airline I could try?

[Jet A1]

If you are a pilot or employable as a pilot ie CPL/IR holder then many airlines will want someone who will stay a while at least.

[Bovingdon]

Well, I got my PPL!!
I was thinking of doing something like this until I
a) Get the Magic Ticket for Sponsorship
b) Worked enough Overtime hrs to Pay my own way!
Either way, Im sure it would teach me a thing or two!
Cheers again guys!

[woxof]

Try www.dispatcher.org (http://www.dispatcher.org)

[Hibiscus Air]

Will advise here shortly
Thank you Sir.

[Hibiscus Air]

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[The Flying Lamb]

Bovingdon,

If you really want to work in Ops/Dispatch then get that airline directory out and write to absolutely everyone and anyone. I started out in Ops with a foreign cargo airline. Slogged it out with them for about 18mths then I must of wrote to over 100 companies, eventually resulting in busy ops position with one of Gatwicks major players. Since then I've moved on and now work for an airline that's more experienced then it's name suggests and I am loving it (sad I know to admit!!) If you're an aspiring pilot, I wouldn't tell the airlines your dreams. In my experience I have literally seen applications thrown in the bin if any mention of flying is on the C.V. However, get yourself established with a good airline and then start concentrating on the flying.... This way you will have now built up loads of contacts.... Trust me this is the best way to go.... Good Luck!

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Chilli sauce and salad?

[holding]

The Flying Lamb, is giving you good advise
I work in operations and they definitly don't like people coming in with PPL's because they think they won't be there for long, and it takes time to train people up. Some airlines also have a strict policy of recruiting from within so you might have to start in another department before you can transfer into ops // dispatch, But best of luck.

[Ganymede]

I must agree with holding - getting into an airlne is the hardest part. Once you are there, it is very easy to move around. Problem is that so often, becasue we are such a specialist industry, we tend to hire from within - so few people understand how we do what we do that you tend to prefer someone with a previous commercial airline background if you can get them. Start wherever you can with whoever you can and take it from there. Best of luck.

[hopefull]

Sound advice from everyone. Once you get some experience in Ops, you're generally employable at most places. I was recently told from an employer of a low cost operation, that finding experienced staff is very difficult. Also having a PPL, I've never had a problem with it, infact I was challenged about my career aspirations and admitted that I had a PPL which was no problem. Have since joined a great company.