Dispatch books

[EMA747]

Can anyone recommend some books that would be useful for preparing for the Sheffield dispatch course? I am not 100% definitely going on this course but would like to have a look at some books and get an idea what sort of things to expect from the course and a career in dispatching.

Any info really appreciated.

Andy S

[ShinjukuHustler]

Get yourself a copy of the FAA test prep either in Hardcopy or cd-rom or download from the net.

If you plan on taking the course then get this out of the way first.

Alternatively, you can study this required aspect of the programme on Sheffield's website.

If you have no prior aviation experience then you might want to check out some of the weather books that can be bought on amazon and sportys.

There are no dispatch specific books on the market, least none that I've seen and most of the info you'll need can really only be gotten by using the existing pilot training texts.

As I say, the FAA test prep is a good one to start with as you need to take this test anyway to get the licence and it's better to have it done before you go to your dispatch school. It's self study too so you can do it at home in your own time.

Hope it helped

Hustle on..:ok:

[Lauderdale]

Try P.J. Swatton (yes, the legend!) Flight Planning

Blackwell Publishing

www.blackwellpublishing.com (http://www.blackwellpublishing.com)

Its ground studies for pilots, but hey, like they will tell you on the course, you are a pilot on the ground, right!?

It's a good book.

[boredcounter]

From the Sheffield website

'We recommend the GLEIM ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) test preparation book. The title is ATP; however, the book also contains ADX test questions since the ATP and ADX tests are virtually the same. Part of the Aircraft Dispatcher licensing requirements is to pass (> 70%) the Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) Knowledge exam. A passed ATP exam is of no use to the individual applying for an Aircraft Dispatcher license.'

It does basically contain all the Q & A's available on-line at Sheffield, with a bit more to boot (Blank plogs and charts and stuff to work to)

It is the size of a UK phone book and about as much fun!

The American students on my course (all pilots of some description) advised me the American way is to learn the answers to the 1700+ possible ADX questions, this does (or in my case, did not fit) with the UK way of learning.

Gleims will give you a bit more (not a lot) background and info than downloading the Q & A's from Sheffield.

Good Luck to you, whatever you choose.


Bored

[kippax]

Hi EMA747

Sheffield is a great School - graduated Dec05

When you attend the course, Brett / Eric advise you to complete the ADX ASAP ideally, within the first two or three weeks

The FAA love weather, so read up on any books even basic PPL material will help give you a foundation, which will help later on in the when dealing with Perf (which is all on the B727!!)

Good Luck

KP

[EMA747]

Thanks for the help guys.

For the ADX exam I am a little confused as all the books seem to be just questions and answers. Is there no book that has the background, like a text book rather than a Q&A one? I may be getting the wrong end of the stick but it seems rather pointless to just learn a load of questions and answers without knowing what they are all about. :rolleyes: (by pointless I mean apart from passing the test. :ok:).

[kippax]

In answer to you question, for the Sheffield Course, they will advise you learn the Q&A's simply to get the ADX finished

Sheffield will then teach you their way and believe me their standard is very high. Sheffield just see the ADX as a hurdle by the FAA

After the course, you will have a sound knowledge of areas covered, which is why Delta etc take on Sheffield graduates

Send me a PM if you require further info or call Sheffield and speak to Eric Morris / Katja

Cheers

KP

[ShinjukuHustler]

Man that ATP/Gleim book is garbage, an unfortunately necessary evil that has to be done, it has practically zero relevance to you in your career as a dispatcher, does not help you find solutions or prevent problems, in fact all it does is test your short term memory!

Just treat it like a trip to the dentist, get it over and done with as quickly and painlessly as possible and then with it out of the way get down to learning to become a dispatcher.

The previous poster is right though, get it done sooner rather than later, preferably before you land at your dispatch school, you'll increase your chances of success much more.

Hustle On :ok:

[no sig]

EMA747

You are right, this is not just about passing an exam. Do take the time to study the subject matter and don't be tempted to only take the often hyped 'learn the Q&A' route to a pass. This course is to give you a knowledge foundation and there is only one way to get that- study! Sheffield is a good college from what I know of it, and you are well advised to study before you go- if not only to be sure you have time to concentrate on the issues within the course that may require an extra concerted effort.

Its true Aviation weather and the US system is a large part of the exam and is a good place to start. The US Aviation Weather manuals and service manuals are excellent, both Met theory and Met Services- the NOAA aviation weather website is also an excellent source of information. I'd also suggest you study the FAR 121, 91 etc. this takes lots of time and you might wish to study those well before you go; this might allow you time on the more technical issues of the course while you're there.

[EMA747]

shinjukuHustler - is it possible to take the exam without being in the US then? Can it be done online or something?

no sig - Are there books with the FAR 121, 91 etc in it?

[no sig]

EMA747

Yes, there are compilations of all the study FAR's, remember that pilot ATP study materials are the same as the FD license requirements. Shop online and you'll find what you need, but there is much available for free off FAA websites- 'seek and you shall find'

See these links for a start:

International Federation of Airline Dispatchers (IFALDA)

http://www.ifalda.org/

http://www.ifalda.com/


Aviation Weather for Pilots and Operations Personnel

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/c2df8d9d7471617786256a020078083a!OpenDocument&Click=


Aviation Weather Services

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/2FDBB0759757C5158625738B007442E7?OpenDocument


Weight and Balance Manual

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=Weight+and+Balance+Manual+FAA&spell=1


Aeronautical Information Manual

http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim/


FAR's

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFAR.nsf/MainFrame?OpenFrameSet


Aircraft Dispatcher Knowledge Test

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Aircraft+Dispatcher+Study+Guide+Manual+FAA&meta=

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Aircraft+Dispatcher+guide&meta=



The above are (at least were when I did it) required study. Others who have done the license more recently than me may wish to correct me or add more. You should know in the States that these documents are not subject to copyright and are free to the public, however, many one that you can buy are straight copies of the above. The quality may be a tad lacking on some of these .pdf files- but the above is a significant start on your road to the license.

And EMA747, if you are asking a question like 'can I take the exam online' you've not done your homework yet. Contact Sheffield and I am sure they'll give you all you need to know.

http://www.sheffield.com/html%20files/home.html

[ShinjukuHustler]

Hey,

As far as I'm aware you can do any of these FAA tests at any designated CATS testing centre. Check this link to find a suitable location for you.
http://www.catstest.com/

Alternatively you could just prep yourself at home and then be ready to take it as soon as you arrive at Sheffield or whatever other US based school you go to.

In addition to that, if u wanna spend some money well spent, take NoSig's advice and buy some books, the time familiarising yourself with it will be well spent.
NoSig always gives good advice.:ok:

Hustle On..
SH

[EMA747]

The confusion over taking the test online was that in the above posts it was said "The previous poster is right though, get it done sooner rather than later, preferably before you land at your dispatch school, you'll increase your chances of success much more." I took the "before you land" as meaning before you get to the US. :}

Thanks for all the links no sig. :ok: I might try getting some books as well though as I find reading from a book much easier and I can take in and remember more that way.

[ferhankaka]

as far as i know, u cant take the test without taking the course. It is i believe required by the FAA....am i missing something here?

[no sig]

EMA747

Yes, I'm the same I much prefer to study from paper. Some of the books you'll buy will be the same as the ones in these links, the AIM as a good example. You might wish to just print it out- you'll likely get the same product without paying for it, save for paper and ink. Glemis documents as an example, are simply condensed versions of the many of the manuals in the links. The one I would buy is the Aviation Weather Manual as colour illustrations are important and the .pdf is B&W only.

One thing I found was that the written test was in fact the easiest part, the practical skills examination with the FAA inspector/examiner, which took 4 hours or so, was by far the more challenging part of getting the license.


Sec. 65.51 Certificate required (effective Apr 6, 2000)

(a) No person may act as an Aircraft Dispatcher (exercising responsibility with the pilot in command in the operational control of a flight) in connection with any civil aircraft in air commerce unless that person has in his personal possession an Aircraft Dispatcher certificate issued under this subpart.

Sec. 65.53 Eligibility requirements: General.

(a) To be eligible to take the Aircraft Dispatcher knowledge test, a person must be at least 21 years of age.
(b) To be eligible for an Aircraft Dispatcher certificate, a person must--

(1) Be at least 23 years of age;
(2) Be able to read, speak, write, & understand English;
(3) Pass the required knowledge test prescribed by 65.55;
(4) Pass the required Practical test prescribed by 65.59; &
(5) Comply with the requirements of 65.57.

Sec. 65.55 Knowledge requirements.

(a) A person who applies for an Aircraft Dispatcher certificate must pass a knowledge test on the following:

(1) Federal Aviation Regulations that relate to Airline Transport Pilot privileges, limitations, flight operations (ops);
(2) Meteorology, including knowledge of fronts, clouds, icing, & upper air data;
(3) General system of weather & NOTAM collection, dissemination, interpretation, & use;
(4) Interpretation & use of weather charts, maps, forecasts, sequence reports, abbreviations, & symbols;
(5) National Weather Service functions as they pertain to ops in the National Airspace System;
(6) Wind shear & microburst awareness, identification, & avoidance;
(7) Principles of air navigation under instrument meteorology conditions in the National Airspace System;
(8) Air Traffic Control procedures & pilot responsibilities as they relate to enroute ops, terminal area & radar ops, & instrument departure & approach procedures;
(9) Aircraft loading; weight & balance; use of charts, graphs, tables, formulas, & computations on aircraft performance;
(10) Aerodynamics relating to an aircraft's flight characteristics & performance in normal & abnormal flight regimes.
(11) Human Factors;
(12) Aeronautical Decision-making & judgment;
(13) Crew Resource Management, including crew communication & coordination;

(b) The applicant must present documentary evidence satisfactory to the Examiner of having passed an Aircraft Dispatcher knowledge test within the preceding 24 calendar month

Sec. 65.57 Experience requirements.

An applicant for an Aircraft Dispatcher certificate must present documentary evidence satisfactory to the Examiner that he has the experience prescribed in par (a) of this section or accomplished the training prescribed in par (b) of this section as follows:
(a) A total of at least 2 years experience in
the 3 years before the date of application, in any 1 of, or combination of:

(1) In military aircraft ops as a--
(i) Pilot;
(ii) Flight navigator;
(iii) Meteorologist.
(2) In aircraft ops conducted under Part 121 as--
(i) An assistant in dispatching air carrier aircraft, under the direct supervision of a certificated Dispatcher;
(ii) A pilot;
(iii) A flight engineer;
(iv) A meteorologist.
(3) In aircraft ops as--
(i) An Air Traffic Controller; or
(ii) A Flight Service Station Specialist.
(4) In aircraft ops, performing other duties that the Examiner finds provides equivalent experience.
(b) A statement of graduation issued or revalidated under 65.70 showing that he has successfully
completed an approved Aircraft Dispatcher course.

Sec. 65.59 Skill requirements.

An applicant for an Aircraft Dispatcher certificate must pass a practical test given by an Examiner, with respect to any 1 type of large aircraft used in air carrier ops. The practical test must be based on the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test Standards on items in App A of this part.

[ferhankaka]

That was a gr8 post no sig. So basically a guy that has been a pilot can directly go and take the exam. Cool cool cool

[no sig]

When I was on that side of the water, it was fairly common for people doing their ATP writtens to turn around and do the AD exam the following day as a sort of loss of license insurance. Again, it been years since I sat the exam but they were all but the same paper. I seem to recall there was a slight difference of emphasis on the FAR's in the AD paper.

[DougADX]

For dispatcher certificate candidates, the differences in the ADX written are primarily dispatch-related maximum duty day limitations -where the dispatch candidate is asked questions of both max duty period for both a dispatcher and a pilot, the ATP candidate is asked only those questions for a pilot.

Other than that, there are no real differences between the ADX and ATP written - and the performance is not just based on the B727, but I was asked in the written questions on DC9 and B737 performance as well.

There is a decent program available for purchase/download at http://www.faatest.com; I am not a part of that organization, but that is what I used, and I passed.

If you want a decent FAR 121 text, get the ASA Publication "FARs for Flight Crew", google ASA FAR-FC.