Schedulers/Dispatchers Conventions
 

Hey I know the big NBAA Schedulers/Dispatchers Convention just happened this last week but i was curious if anybody thinks there are any other conventions worth checking out this year?

NBAA Int'l Operators

There is a very interesting conference in London from 17-19 March: www.ba-meetup.com

Ciao,

GVA Dispatch

BA-Meetup developments
 

Yes we are trying to get something going in Europe so that at least the people who cannot attend conferences in the USA, will have an opportunity to get some training and information, or can exchange experiences. This year is the start but it will grow. One of the sessions is:
"Scheduling and Dispatch in Business Aviation" by Helmut Lehr, Chief Flight Dispatcher, Comlux Aviation, Zurich, Switzerland
"A flight dispatcher is situated in a business aviation operation or dispatch center assisting pilots with performance calculations, flight planning, weather analysis and briefing, performing as many pre-flight tasks as possible for the flight deck. Contrary to US regulations, in Europe a dispatcher was never required. Instead the workload and responsibility always rested with the pilot in command. Nowadays with all the sophisticated and state of the art business jets, with possible air times of up to 14 hours, pilots easily reach their maximum possible duty time limits even without pre-flight duties. The need for employing dispatchers has now been raised by the pilots to their flight operation departments. Research has shown that 85% of operators with less than 10 aircraft operate without licensed dispatchers and do not have sufficiently educated and trained staff for their operation departments." We will also have Danny Mortensen from Airline Ground Schools as a speaker. He is a specialist on dispatcher training in the USA. He will tell us in the next couple of days what his topic will be. We are also planning on a meeting with the press to tell them about our future plans for Dispatcher training. In addition we have a number of other interesting subjects. We are still working hard on completing the program, but it will be worthwhile attending. Any suggestions are welcome. Cheers, Cdr. Bud Slabbaert, Chairman of the BA-Meetup

BA-Meetup Dispatch addition
 

We have added this session to the BA-Meetup

Practical application of the Dispatch Department
Terry Sherlin, Manager Aircraft Dispatch, Airline Ground Schools, Florence, KY, USAThis session will focus on the practical application of a Dispatch Department by the Flight Crew and the interaction with the Dispatcher. Focusing on the Dispatch Aids for International Flight Planning, TRM concept (CRM and DRM). Enroute communications concepts, Flight Planning and Flight Planning systems. This will be followed with the importance of fractional ownership Carriers and/or commercial operators to have an effective operations department with licensed Dispatchers. US Carriers have identified the increase level of safety and operational Performance enhancements. .

cdrbud
 

BA-Meetup date and location
 

Went? The BA-Meetup takes place March 17-19 in the Education Centre of Northolt RAF Station see www.ba-meetup.com

Ba-meet Up
 

I heard from some guys at Comlux and Jeppesen that they are doing good discussion groups at the BA conference. Also that the company running are targeting this to become the 'S. and Dis Sc' conference within EU.

:)

Thank you Master ! Just enough time to get sorted out afore IOC in N'orlins:ok:

BA-Meetup has reached its goal!
 

cdrbud
 

Excellent
 

It was excellent. It is clear that there is a need for this kind of conference. You can see some unsolicit reactions at www.ba-meetup.com. With all the positive comments we received and with the dynamics we have observed, we are already working on the next bigger and better BA-Meetup in London on March 14-16, 2011.

Schedulers and Dispatcher Training in Europe
 

Sitting and waiting for things to happen will not anywhere. Those who believe that schedulers and dispatchers training or education is needed or aprreciated in Europe should speak up. For those who want to contribute to the cause there is a BA-Meetup Group on LinkeIn as a channel to help creating what may be needed.

BA-Meetup group on LinkedIn
 

I have started a BA-Meetup group for those who would like to see how next year's conference develops and where suggestions can be made