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Dispatcher training?

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Old 20th May 2011, 17:18
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Dispatcher training?

Hello.

I've recently discovered that I may not be medically capable to fly for the airlines, and, as devistating as this may be as I've spent years earning my Commerical/multi/instrument ratings here in the US with a "first class" with no restrictions, things have changed. I've also put my CFI on delay till I can fully discover where I can legally go with my medical issues.

I've been really interested in dispatcher for quite some time (although, have not done too much research as I should have otherwise), and was wondering what training facilities in the San Diego area offer the training to make me airline dispatcher qualified.

Thank you all for your time and help.

Regards,

777ord
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Old 21st May 2011, 05:22
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Have a look at Airline Dispatchers Federation - ADF .
With your Pilot Qualifications you are eligible for the short course.
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Old 23rd May 2011, 20:53
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I did the online distance education option from Sheffield School of Aeronautics (www.sheffield.com). It is very in-depth, and good priced.
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Old 29th May 2011, 00:50
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Dispatcher Training

I would also recommend Airline Dispatcher FAA Certification been there and done the course.

Good course but learn the RED BOOK questions before you go...! Its a hectic 6weeks.
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Old 1st Jun 2011, 17:23
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All,

Thank you for the great insight.

By the red book, I assume you mean GLEIM?
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Old 2nd Jun 2011, 08:58
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777

Sorry to hear your plight.

It is the Big Red GLEIM being referred to.

The ADX (required) exam draws a c500 question bank from the ATP question bank, but the good news is that it is only 80 questions to answer with a pass mark of 70%

Unless it has changed since 2006 that is?

Judging by you post, you may just have a copy of the 'Big Red Book' ;-)

Best of luck whichever way you need to go mate

Bored
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Old 6th Jun 2011, 08:00
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I'd also speak with your local FAA office to see what credit you can get for already holding a FAA commercial licence and IR, it might be you can forgo any formal course and do self study, which is the ATPL/Aircraft Dispatchers certificate. Maybe do a three day, 'how to sit the exam' course prior to doing the writtens.
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Old 30th Jun 2011, 22:38
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Getting the word out

I posted this on another forum but I want anyone choosing a school to read and consider this.

I attended Sheffield in 1998 and was wet behind the ears. I had no experience and the instructors they had at the time got me through it. Now, jump ahead to March 2011. I sent my wife to Sheffield to get her license. She has 10 years of aviation experience. Everything from ticketing, ramp, flight attendant, crew scheduler and 3 years in Continental SOC.

Long story short, her class at Sheffield had 25 students and 19 failed including her. The instruction there is pathetic. They take your $ and you're on your own. Whatever you do, do not waste your money on Sheffield when picking a school.

She took the 2 weeek course at Universal Weather in Houston and learned more there in 2 weeks than 5 weeks at Sheffield.
Not only did she learn, SHE UNDERSTOOD IT!
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Old 1st Jul 2011, 06:10
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Dear Miarose,
As far as I know, Sheffield is well known place to get Dispatch License. I also checked testimonials on their site and I do not belive that Sheffield is not a place to spend a money. Can You please describe details what was bad in Sheffield for Your wife and others?
I gonna make my Distance Learning there this year and Your post is first negative opinion about them.
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Old 2nd Jul 2011, 22:57
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dont go!!!

look here..i was at sheffield in 2009 and it was the worst near 10,000$ i ever spent. they will take ur money and fail u! if u go there you are on your own!!
i had to retake the course at another school!!
Do NOT GO TO SHEFFIELD!!!
please!!!!
the instructors suck, they just want u to study the gliem on your own.
plus they treat foreigners like trash!
to make matters worse from the very first day they already tell u they will fail u
not to mention the fact tht the same pple who are instructors are also ur examiners! wheres the transparency in tht.
i only signed up to this forum to let everyone know not to go to sheffield..please!!
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Old 4th Jul 2011, 04:50
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A Question if I may?

To the doubters of Sheffield?

If you or you wife fail, is it really the schools fault? If a pass is obtained at another school is that proof?

As a Sheffield graduate of the 2 week accelerated course, from Europe, knowing nothing of the US rules and regulations, I would say B got me through the nightmare in a simulated real time scenario.

I will never exercise the privilege of my (very basic) FAA ticket, however, unless a lot has changed, I thank Sheffield for a fair and honest assessment of my ability.

I attended, with +15 years experience in Operational Control, I had to prove the experience I had at the time, learn a lot and work 16 hours a day, to pass what I consider (FAA rules in EU) an irrelevant exam based on irrelevant regulations.

Do you still leave any establishment with a non-type rated ticket, saying only you are suitable to undergo the further training required to be a dispatcher, i.e. technical aircraft systems?

Bored
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Old 4th Jul 2011, 11:53
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Wht are u on about?

So wht u r sayin is sOme one with no aviation experience dEserves to have a hard time?
How can u justify a testing system tht is carried out my your very same instructors? So say Eric has a personal problem with me he can decide to give me a hard time or better yet fail me
Other schools prepare u for ur oral and practical exams and have external FAA instructors and pilots or ops control personnel to do d testing.why dosnt Sheffield do tht.?
The house I stayed in was a good 45 min walk from the school! Imagine coming to school already tired from such a long walk. I was never for once late. Until this particular day it stormed heavily while I was walking to school. I had to take shelter underneath a tree for about 10 mins so the rain could subside . I got into class soaking wet and do u know I was actually penalized for coming late???
Long story short, Go to Sheffield at your own risk
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Old 6th Jul 2011, 09:54
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I studied the Sheffield Distance + 5 days course several years ago and got the license with Sheffield and I haave several opinions about it.

I believe Sheffield is one of the best schools in Dispatcher training in USA. Many airlines send their employers to Sheffield and it can be a good proof.

boyesbingaman:
There were 2 instructors, Eric and Brett during my stay in FLL. They are both qualified as instructors and examiners. If the course is instructed by one, another will be examiners and vice versa. I am not sure the arrangement for your class but the abive is my case.

for all:
Perosnnaly I am pleased with the quality and in depth knowledge covered in Sheffield's course and I believe the Sheffield's standard is much much higher than what FAA requires.

My suggestion for the FAA ADX test, for anyone who interested in taking the course at Sheffield, try to study and pass the ADX exam in advance. You can get a Gleim or ASA ATP test prep easily from amazon. To be honest, I believe ADX test is just a game of memorising the quetsions and answers , you can remember the answers eaisly if you go through it several times. If you can get a pass before the start of the course at Sheffield, you can fully concentrate in sheffield stuff once u arrive.

There are schools which use ATP test prep as the major text book. I dont think it is a good approach but this is actually exisiting. LIke boyesbingaman mentioned, Sheffield just let you study the Gleim yourself as their major text book is not that. If anyone want to learn more, Sheffiled's approach would be better than just using Gleim as major text. Sheffield concentrate in instructing the in depth theories rather than the gleim.

For those who just want to get a pass and get the FAA license, I agree other schools will be better as the successfull rate (of getting a sign off to take the practical exam) is much higher in other schools than Sheffield. Only 60% in my class and the 6 weeks class got a sign off. I remember something like any FAA dispatcher school should achieve a successful rate of 70 to 80% in practical exam, and that 's why Sheffield rather not signning you off than failing anyone in exam. But for those who want quality instruction and showing to your future employers you are the top notch graduates , sheffield is for you.

To be honest, like what Miarose mentioned, Sheffield may not as good as other schools in offering a student friendly environment especially for those without any previous dispatch, piloting or ATC experiences. The design of the course in Sheffield requires intense concentration and hard work from Day 1. You need to set "full throttle" till the end of the course. And even for experienced guys, it is still a very demanding course for them, and no need to say about the students without any experience.

For those who failed in Sheffield, it doesn';t means they are lazy or incapable. Instead, some may get a pass if they have been given more time but unluckily it is not available. Like one Indian guy who failed the six week course during my stay in FLL, he said he did not have any experience in aviation, travel and spent a lot to USA, stuided very hard but still couldn't pass the course at Sheffield. It is really unlcukily for him but it is how Sheffield is running.

Again, for anyone who want to study at Sheffield, pre course preparation in Gleim and two FAA weather manuals is very important. It makes you easier to cope with the hugh demand in class.

again, for those who just want a licence,as well as reduce the chance of not getting a pass, try to consider whether Sheffield is for you. For those who want to graduate from a well known and quality school as well as showing to your future employers your capabilities, try to consider Sheffield.
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Old 6th Jul 2011, 10:36
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Ok... I'm afraid I've listened to this absolute rubbish for long enough!

Sheffield is an ABSOLUTLY FANTASTIC school to go to. End of!

Prior to going there in March 2010 I had near zero aviation experience. I looked at other schools (Denver, Houston, etc...) I travelled from the UK and stayed in a hotel (which was a 20 minute walk away at most) and also completed the additional workshops in ETOPS, EWINS, etc... all out of my own pocket... AND I DON'T REGRET A SINGLE THING. IRRESPECTIVE OF MY GRADE ACHIEVED!

This was the first step of a major career change for me at the age of 30. It was the best thing that I ever did! I now work in Ops for a very prestigious UK airline and was selected for interview out of 150+ applicants on the results at Sheffield School of Aeronautics. The Ops manager was paid to go there some years prior when he worked for another airline. I have stayed in touch with all the staff and students at Sheffield and they've all been really friendly and helpful. Even after they took my $10,000+!

Yes it is hard work. Yes you have to study for the Gleim yourself. But its one multiple choice exam. You are told this from the outset. It is recommended that you complete the FAA ADX prior to attending Sheffield. This isn't possible for everyone (like me) as you have to take it in the USA.

All I hope is that anyone considering going to Sheffield School of Aeronautics makes the right descision and doesn't listen to certain first time posters!!!


p.s. Incase anyone was actually wondering... With near zero knowledge/experiencce prior to attending, I achieved a grade of 93% and 'walked' the FAA exam!
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Old 6th Jul 2011, 10:59
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I did the distance and onsite course with Sheffield several years ago and got the license. I believe Sheffield is one of the best school in FAA Dispatch.

The course is very demanding but teach me a lot of theories and knowledge in dispatch. You need to self study the Gleim ATP test Prep and better get a pass before the start of the course. If possible, study the two FAA Weather manuals in advance and it helps your study in Sheffield. Especially passing the ADX test before hleps you to fully concentrate on the Sheffield course.

If you just want to get a pass and get the FAA license, other schools may be better, if you want to show your capabilities and you are the top notch to future employers, Sheffield is for you. Of course, you need to pay for the advantage you get..for a hard working stay in FLL.

Good school teach your the in depth knowledge but worst school just use Test Prep as the main text book, easier to get a pass with them but quality not assured.

I agree not all the students who failed to get a sign off for practical exams are lazy or incapable...instead, they are hard working but just can't achieve the Sheffield standard. One of the Indian guy who failed the 200 hours course mentioned he spent a lot to travel to FLL, studied very hard but still couldn't pass...it's sad but unluckily for him. though I think they may be able to pass if they have more time to study but not available.

Anyway, once again getting the license from Sheffield is not just for the license, it is for your future employment too. Base on how many airlines send their employees to sheffield and it is already a concrete proof of the Sheffield's Quality.

I receommend Sheffield for any serious future dispatchers, and of course there should be other good schools in USA too, but I dont have experience with them.
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Old 6th Jul 2011, 13:30
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Oh on a twelve hour shift

Expected to correct MEL issues and file the perfect flight plan and that is just one flight.............I guess you wanted to pass as well as the Mrs

Understand, communicate in the real time world.

Is it that bad?
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Old 6th Jul 2011, 15:05
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Dear colleagues,

Echo Disp mentioned two FAA weather manuals in his reply.
Can You please advise what are these manuals and where can I get it?

Appreciate Your help!
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Old 6th Jul 2011, 16:16
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I would like to add that I initiated a program that sent staff from a European Airline on the FAA course at Sheffield. I investigated many options, Jepps in FRA, etc, but it was patentently obvious that this was the premier school to send my staff to. My rationale was that it was motivational and yes, FAA and EASA rules are different, but the staff came away with an internationally recognised qualification, in point of fact I think the only recognised qualification? I spent a couple of years dealing with Eric and his feedback for any area of individual staff improvement was invaluable. It was a win win situation, the staff came back with their licence and were much more confident in dealing with Pilot related issues, for example and as a Company we had more motivated, knowledgable and confident employees. Maybe I had a really good department but I only had one failure which was due to personal issues. The general failure rate in the on the many courses that I sent my staff on in the 2006-2008 period seemed to average about 15%.
To sum up, don't expect to pass just because you turned up and have some experience in the Airline industry, but if you show initiative and are prepared to work hard for a qualification that proves just that, then this is the school for you!
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Old 6th Jul 2011, 20:05
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URRVCTR...

URRVCTR...

I believe the weather maunauls you are refering to are:

Aviation Advisory Weather Circular (Chapters 1-16 of the AC 00-6A)
Otherwise known as "Aviation Weather for Pilots and Flight Operations Personnel"
AND
Aviation Weather Services Manual (AC-00-45G CHG1 Rev July 29, 2010)

I'm sure you could download them from the FAA or NOAA (Probably for a fee!) or try looking on amazon.

I think I downloaded and printed mine (must be 500 pages combined) but have the AC-00-45F so its out of date now. Bloody Global Warming!!!
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Old 6th Jul 2011, 20:27
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Rick1982,

Thanks a lot for Your help!
Appreciate it!
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