Flight Dispatcher Initial, USA
Five weeks to learn how to plan, release and follow a flight, and make the calls when it doesn't go to plan. Built on ICAO Doc 10106 and taught by working dispatchers.
What this course qualifies you for
There is no EASA flight dispatcher license. In Europe, each operator decides who is qualified to dispatch its flights, and sets its own training and experience requirements.
This course gives you an IFOA Certificate of Completion. It shows an operator you have completed structured training built on ICAO Doc 10106, the international standard for flight operations officer and dispatcher training. Your employer will still train you on its own procedures before you dispatch.
If you need a government-issued dispatcher license, see our FAA Aircraft Dispatcher course.
The program
Five phases, from the rules that govern the operation to the decisions you make on shift. Select a phase to see what it covers.
- 01The Operating Environment4 topics
- Air law and civil aviation regulations
- ICAO and EASA framework
- Air traffic management
- Aeronautical communications
- 02Know the Aircraft4 topics
- Aircraft systems for dispatchers
- Mass and balance
- Aircraft performance
- MEL and CDL
- 03Plan the Flight4 topics
- Aviation meteorology
- Navigation and route planning
- Fuel planning and alternates
- NOTAMs and flight plan filing
- 04Control the Operation4 topics
- Flight following and monitoring
- Operational control
- Communicating with crew and stakeholders
- Managing disruptions
- 05Make the Decision4 topics
- Decision-making under uncertainty
- Threat and error management
- Human factors in dispatch
- Scenario exercises
What you'll be able to do
- Plan and prepare a flight
- Apply weather, fuel, routing and alternate requirements
- Assess operational risks and constraints
- Monitor flights and anticipate disruptions
- Make operational decisions as conditions change
- Apply ICAO, EASA and operator procedures
How you're assessed
A pass mark of 80% is required.
Issued when you pass. It does not expire.
Which course is right for you?
Both teach you to dispatch. They lead to different documents.
- You receive
- IFOA Certificate of Completion
- Issued by
- IFOA
- Regulatory focus
- ICAO and EASA
- Duration
- 200 hours, 5 weeks
- Location
- 2 weeks online, 3 weeks in Florida
- Fee
- €3,500
- You receive
- Eligibility for the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher license, after passing the FAA knowledge and practical tests
- Issued by
- The FAA, a government authority
- Regulatory focus
- FAA, 14 CFR Part 65
- Duration
- 200 hours, 6 weeks
- Location
- Sønderborg, Denmark · Daytona Beach, USA · New Delhi, India, with online preparation
- Fee
- $4,500 USD, plus FAA test and examiner fees
| This courseFlight Dispatcher Initial | FAA Aircraft Dispatcher | |
|---|---|---|
| You receive | IFOA Certificate of Completion | Eligibility for the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher license, after passing the FAA knowledge and practical tests |
| Issued by | IFOA | The FAA, a government authority |
| Regulatory focus | ICAO and EASA | FAA, 14 CFR Part 65 |
| Duration | 200 hours, 5 weeks | 200 hours, 6 weeks |
| Location | 2 weeks online, 3 weeks in Florida | Sønderborg, Denmark · Daytona Beach, USA · New Delhi, India, with online preparation |
| Fee | €3,500 | $4,500 USD, plus FAA test and examiner fees |
Who it's for
No previous dispatch experience needed.
- People starting a career in flight dispatch
- Airline and OCC staff moving into dispatch
- Aviation professionals who want formal dispatch training
Entry requirements
- English good enough to follow professional aviation training
- No previous dispatch experience required