Many of us in the aviation industry enjoy obtaining additional training to diversify career opportunities. In this month’s column, I’ll briefly explain how any active pilot for a part 121 air carrier in the U.S. can become an aircraft dispatcher without going through the full training program normally required.
The FAA aircraft dispatcher certificate is valuable as it comes with no expiration date, no mandatory retirement age, and no medical certification requirement. Working as an aircraft dispatcher or training aircraft dispatchers can be a perfect early retirement option or a backup option for loss of medical certification.
14 CFR 65.57 explains how someone with what the FAA deems “required experience” can become an aircraft dispatcher without going through a training program. If you have worked two of the past three years as a part 121 pilot/flight engineer or as an air traffic controller, you would be eligible to apply for the aircraft dispatcher certificate under this rule. There are other experiences allowed also, so check the regulation yourself to read the full list. It’s not just as simple as applying, though. Here’s an overview of the process.
Step 1: Ensure you are qualified under the regulation by reviewing 14 CFR 65.57.
Step 2: Study for the FAA aircraft dispatcher knowledge test. It is called the “ADX” for short, and it’s very similar to the ATP knowledge test in its question bank, duration, and scope. Sheppard Air can help you prepare for this exam, and other test prep programs and books are available. No endorsement is required for the exam.
Step 3: Pass the ADX exam. It has one of the lower pass rates of the FAA exams, so make sure you are ready!
Step 4: Obtain materials needed and review the FAA aircraft dispatcher practical test standards (PTS). As of this writing, they have never been converted to the airman certification standards format. The PTS has a full list of what you would need to provide to complete the practical test. https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/aircraft_dispatcher_pts_10.pdf is a link to the current PTS.
Step 5: Study for the practical test. I highly recommend attending part of an existing aircraft dispatcher training course, though no graduation certificate is required. Some training courses offer an “accelerated course” where the target audience is those who do not need the full certification course. On the practical test, you will have to produce a manual flight plan for a transport-category-sized aircraft using real performance information, do manual weight and balance calculations, use an MEL appropriately, and do this manual flight plan without a computer using paper charts in about 2-3 hours (among other tasks listed in the PTS). This flight planning is followed by an oral exam, which is typically two to four hours in duration. Once you feel ready for the next step, proceed!
Step 6: Contact your local managing FAA office to present your qualifications and request a practical exam. This could be done through a Designated Aircraft Dispatch Examiner (DADE) which is like a Designated Pilot Examiner but for dispatchers. However, any DADE will require you to show a graduation certificate OR prove that you have the required experience, and the local managing FAA office is going to be involved in completing your request for a practical exam. The FAA inspector guidance for what they will want to see can be found here: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/DRSDOCID199070046520250625211746.0001
Step 7: Take the aircraft dispatcher practical exam with the DADE or the local FAA office. Expect to pay $500-800 to the DADE for the practical exam. And again, you must provide all your own materials for the exam. The advantage with going to a training program for an accelerated course is that it should come with all the charts, manuals, performance data, and calculations that you’ll need to pass the practical exam. They will likely help you schedule the practical exam. Once you successfully pass the exam, the DADE or FAA inspector will give you a temporary aircraft dispatcher certificate. You also get a permanent, plastic certificate in the mail to add to your collection! As mentioned, the aircraft dispatcher certificate never expires and does not require a medical. I’d love to connect with you if you want to know more about becoming an aircraft dispatcher. Check out this video I made where I interviewed a former captain for Envoy Air on his experience with obtaining the aircraft dispatcher certificate: https://youtu.be/r8libHDzOgs or scan this QR code:
For additional information, check out my website at www.theaviationvault.com wherein I offer articles on the history of dispatchers, training courses, and more.
