Flight Training - September/October 2021 - 53

ADVANCED PILOT CAREER SPOTLIGHT
BY JILL W. TALLMAN
HIDDEN CREW
DISPATCHERS: AIRLINES'
BEST-KEPT SECRET
PILOTS, FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, RAMP WORKERS, and gate agents
have highly visible jobs that passengers recognize as important
parts of smooth airline operations. Behind the scenes, however, are
a vital cadre of folks known as flight dispatchers. They work with
airline crews to ensure the safe and efficient conduct of the flight.
" I tell airline pilots where to go, how to get there, and how much
fuel to get, " said Krista Morisen, a flight dispatcher with PSA Airlines
in Dayton, Ohio. She prepares routes, checks en route weather,
and estimates how much fuel an airplane will need to carry. But
the job doesn't end when the wheels leave the ground. Dispatchers
remain in contact with each flight, and crews can get in touch via
the airplane's aircraft communication addressing and reporting system
so long as they're above 10,000 feet. Pilots can request weather
and/or routing updates and more; if emergency medical services
or law enforcement is needed at the destination, a dispatcher will
arrange that. One of Morisen's pilots noticed a caution message on
the flight management system. She looked it up in the airplane's
quick reference handbook; the recommendation was to land at the
nearest practical airport. The flight happened to be near Akron,
Ohio, which is one of the airline's maintenance bases, so she coordinated
the diversion.
It can be a stressful job, particularly on days when weather is a
factor. Morisen said she's juggled as many as 10 to 15 regional airline
flights per hour. But there's a lot of satisfaction that comes from
planning the perfect flight and knowing that you were instrumental
in getting a planeload of passengers safely and expediently to their
destination. FT
jill.tallman@aopa.org
FLIGHT TRAINING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
53
QUALIFICATIONS
Dispatchers are certified under Part 65
of the federal aviation regulations. They
must complete 200 classroom hours of
study and pass an oral and a practical test.
Much-but not all-of the classroom work
can be completed online. Morisen said the
school where she obtained her certificate
granted her 40 hours of credit toward the
200-hour requirement because she had a
private pilot certificate.
BENEFITS
Depends on the airline. At some airlines,
dispatchers belong to a union and benefits
and salary are negotiated through
a collective bargaining agreement, but
this is not industrywide. Some airlines
have an agreement at their regionals
that allow dispatchers to " flow " upward
to the major airlines. Others offer discounted
or free travel to dispatchers and
their family members.
DRAWBACKS
The job can be stressful. As with any
skilled job, starting pay is commensurate
with experience.
PAY
Entry-level salary averages $30,000;
senior dispatchers at major airlines can
earn more than $100,000 per year.
PSA AIRLINES
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