Flight Planning Jobs
 

Hi folks,

Just curious if there's such job as flight planning, or do pilots do their own flight planning? What is it officially called in the industry and how can you qualify for it?

I live in Canada so very likely looking into Air Canada or Westjet for such a pos.....

Kind regards,

It's called Flight Dispatcher, have a look here:
Job Description*-*dispatcher.org

Flt Planning
 

Many airlines will have a department called Navigation Services, ATM, performance dept or just plain old Flight planning.

These folks maintain the route databases for the flight planning systems, update all the flight plan routings as per the RAD / 28day Airac cycles, update Jepps, carry out route & airport analyses, maintain runway performance software, issue nav and atm notices, possibly run the company tankering policy and carry out fuel policy analyses and the more experienced ones will be performance engineers with technical writing ability. These guys n gals can save an airline alot of money and are more than just flight dispatchers although many of them may have started their careers as such.

It's one of the most interesting back-office jobs at an airline.

A good book that touches on some of these topics is "Optimising Jet Transport Efficiency" by Carlos Padilla.

D.O.G

Dispatcher Course
 

Since you are in Canada, I recommend highly the Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology in Canton, Michigan, west of Detroit. They have a 220 hour Aircraft Dispatcher Course (FAA requires 200 hours) and have all the testing available in house (both ATP and Practical) to get your certificate.. I think Canada honors the training, which you would have to confirm. The course lasts about a month and a half and you get into Meteorology, Aerodynamics, Navigation, Aircraft Specifics (performance, weight and balance etc) and FAA regulations. The books and the trusty E6B are supplied with tuition. Its a great course, but not easy...Its where I got my license...

Enjoy