Hello,
I am highly considering a career in the aviation industry and a flight dispatcher seems like a good fit for me. I am currently completing my degree in business and will finish soon. I want to know what are the options available for flight dispatch training. There's a lot of information out there but it's really vague. I was also considering NAV CANADA as a start maybe? I would appreciate if someone who is currently or was a flight dispatcher to describe their learning and working experience, or anyone else that knows more about this topic.
Thanks in advance!
Flight Dispatcher Career
Moderators: North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako
Re: Flight Dispatcher Career
Flight dispatching is not for every one, and you won't know if your a good fit unless you do it. Your experience will vary wildly depending on which operator you work for. Expect to start for a small carrier then work your way into a big airline. Life as a dispatcher for AC/WestJet/AT/Porter is better than a small 703/704 outfit, but I still don't envy their jobs...
Expect 35k/year to start, hours are unpredictable and almost always horrible (long days, some nights). I won't go further because it completely depends on which company you work for and I would rather take my old job in the produce section of Safeway than go back to flight dispatching... But that's just me.
Nav Canada is one of the best employers in the Aviation sector in Canada. Period.
- Stable, good working conditions, room for advancement, you could be working in a FSS tower in Churchill MB, or in a ACC in a place like Toronto or Vancouver. Personally I would go FSS VFR controller and work in a tower with a view in a quite town, rather than work in a IFR dungeon in a big city... But again personal preference. Money is good, I think 50ishk/year for VFR, 70-80ishk/year for IFR to start, all topping out low 6 figures after years on the job, pension, benefits, the lot, but my info is out of date.
For what ever its worth my opinion is;
A) Don't work in aviation in Canada, find a real job
B) Don't touch dispatching with a 20ft pole
C) Take a serious look at Nav Canada...
Personal opinion only, of course.
Expect 35k/year to start, hours are unpredictable and almost always horrible (long days, some nights). I won't go further because it completely depends on which company you work for and I would rather take my old job in the produce section of Safeway than go back to flight dispatching... But that's just me.
Nav Canada is one of the best employers in the Aviation sector in Canada. Period.
- Stable, good working conditions, room for advancement, you could be working in a FSS tower in Churchill MB, or in a ACC in a place like Toronto or Vancouver. Personally I would go FSS VFR controller and work in a tower with a view in a quite town, rather than work in a IFR dungeon in a big city... But again personal preference. Money is good, I think 50ishk/year for VFR, 70-80ishk/year for IFR to start, all topping out low 6 figures after years on the job, pension, benefits, the lot, but my info is out of date.
For what ever its worth my opinion is;
A) Don't work in aviation in Canada, find a real job
B) Don't touch dispatching with a 20ft pole
C) Take a serious look at Nav Canada...
Personal opinion only, of course.
Re: Flight Dispatcher Career
Oh and stay away from Piloting, our careers are pretty f**ked up....
Unless you caught the "Flying bug" and if so, go see a doctor and not a flight instructor like I did!
Unless you caught the "Flying bug" and if so, go see a doctor and not a flight instructor like I did!
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CallMeMister
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- Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2012 4:51 am
Re: Flight Dispatcher Career
I agree with the post above to some degree.
Being a Flight Dispatcher is not for everyone. And there is no way to explain it or to get an idea of what it is like unless you just do it.
There are three types of operation for Flight Dispatch.
Type A - Complex ops, international operation, pay is usually better, depending on the airline you can go in the upper 80k for Dispatch after couple of years. Managerial position can be upper 90k
Type B - Regional airlines, charter airlines, domestic only, under 6 A/C. Salary is around 45k, Expect to do 55k. Progression to managerial position after few years, and salary in the upper 65k-80k. Usually good working conditions, shifts 4on/4off, good benefits
Type C - No certification, works for flight schools, pays 35k and there no progression. You get good rates in flight schools for training.
Aviation is Chaos. If you like a big challenge, and going through hell to achieve success, it can be very rewarding as a career.
I am a Flight Dispatcher, and I wouldn't touch Dispatching with a 20ft stick if they pay under 45k ( as a starting base salary ) for Type A or B. Type C is not real dispatch, its flight following.
Nav Canada is the way to go.. but don't excpect to sit in some big city... Expect to work in some North remote regions and lost FSS.
Being a Flight Dispatcher is not for everyone. And there is no way to explain it or to get an idea of what it is like unless you just do it.
There are three types of operation for Flight Dispatch.
Type A - Complex ops, international operation, pay is usually better, depending on the airline you can go in the upper 80k for Dispatch after couple of years. Managerial position can be upper 90k
Type B - Regional airlines, charter airlines, domestic only, under 6 A/C. Salary is around 45k, Expect to do 55k. Progression to managerial position after few years, and salary in the upper 65k-80k. Usually good working conditions, shifts 4on/4off, good benefits
Type C - No certification, works for flight schools, pays 35k and there no progression. You get good rates in flight schools for training.
Aviation is Chaos. If you like a big challenge, and going through hell to achieve success, it can be very rewarding as a career.
I am a Flight Dispatcher, and I wouldn't touch Dispatching with a 20ft stick if they pay under 45k ( as a starting base salary ) for Type A or B. Type C is not real dispatch, its flight following.
Nav Canada is the way to go.. but don't excpect to sit in some big city... Expect to work in some North remote regions and lost FSS.
Re: Flight Dispatcher Career
Why don't you check out www.flightdispatchtraining.ca
It will answer some of your questions and also give you information on training.
It will answer some of your questions and also give you information on training.
