Flight Dispatcher Training Programs

What is an aircraft dispatcher and how do you become one?

The FAA requires aircraft dispatchers to receive at least 200 hours of training and requires the student to pass a FAA written exam and a FAA practical exam.  Our flight dispatcher training is very similar to the type of training an airline pilot receives in a ground school. The FAA written exams actually picks from the same pool of questions for both the dispatcher and the pilot.

On completion of an aircraft dispatcher training program, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in practical dispatch application to IFOD instructor, prior to being scheduled for the Aircraft Dispatcher Certification exam with the FAA Designee Examiner. IFOD offers several class options to fit most students’ schedules, and if we do not have one, we can customize an option for you.  Here are breakdowns on the most popular class options:

5 Weeks Day class

  • 200 hours of instructor based classroom training.
  • Daily class from 8am to 4:30pm
  • Some weekend classes are offered, but not required.

Cost $4,750

Requirements (no previous aviation experience is required)

5 week class upcoming dates

Feb 16, 2026 Mar 20, 2026
Apr 6, 2026 May 8, 2026
May 18, 2026 Jun 19, 2026
Jul 6, 2026 Aug 7, 2026
Aug 17, 2026 Sep 18, 2026
Aug 17, 2026 Sep 18, 2026
Sep 28, 2026 Oct 30, 2026
Nov 09, 2026 Dec 11, 2026
Jan 11, 2027 Feb 12, 2027
Feb 22, 2027 Mar 26, 2027
Apr 12, 2027 May 14, 2027
May 24, 2027 Jun 25, 2027
Jul 05, 2027 Aug 06, 2027
Aug 16, 2027 Sep 17, 2027
Sept 27, 2027 Oct 29, 2027
Nov 08, 2027 Dec 10, 2027
Jan 10, 2028 Feb 11, 2028
Feb 21, 2028 Mar 24, 2028
Apr 10, 2028 May 12, 2028
May 22, 2028 Jun 24, 2028
Jul 10, 2028 Aug 11, 2028
Aug 21, 2028 Sept 22, 2028
Aug 21, 2028 Sept 22, 2028
Oct 02, 2028 Nov 03, 2028
Nov 13, 2028 Dec 15, 2028
Jan 08, 2029 Feb 10, 2029

Tuiton Payment

8 Weeks Evening class

  • 200 hours of instructor based classroom training
  • Evening class from 5pm to 10pm
  • Some weekend classes are offered, but not required

Cost $4,750

Requirements (no previous aviation experience is required)

8 week class upcoming dates

Start date Graduation date
Jan 19, 2026 Mar 13, 2026
Apr 20, 2026 Jun 12, 2026
Jul 20, 2026 Sep 11, 2026
Oct 12, 2026 Dec 04, 2026
Jan 25, 2027 Mar 19, 2027
Apr 26, 2027 Jun 18, 2027
Oct 11, 2027 Dec 03, 2027
Jan 24, 2028 Mar 17, 2028
Apr 24, 2028 Jul 16, 2028
Jul 24, 2028 Sep 15, 2028
Oct 16, 2028 Dec 08, 2028
Jan 22, 2029 Mar 16, 2028

Tuiton Payment

Class Online

  • 200 hours of instructional time
  • 160 hrs online and 40 hrs instructor lead, in person
  • At your on pace within 6 months

Cost $4,750.00

Requirements (no previous aviation experience is required)

At your own schedule

Start date Graduation date
Today Within six months of
Enrollment

Tuiton Payment

3 Weeks Day class

  • 120 hours of instructor based classroom training.
  • Daily class from 8am to 4:30pm
  • Some weekend classes are offered, but not required.

Cost $2,950

Requirements (previous aviation experience is required, such as commercial pilot, ATC) and the ADX written exam must be completed before the first day of class)

3 week class upcoming dates

Start date Graduation date
Jan 19, 2026 Feb 6, 2026
Mar 2, 2026 Mar 20, 2026
Apr 20, 2026 May 8, 2026
Jun 1, 2026 Jun 19, 2026
Jul 20, 2026 Aug 07, 2026
Aug 31, 2026 Sep 18, 2026
Aug 31, 2026 Sep 18, 2026
Oct 12, 2026 Oct 30, 2026
Nov 23, 2026 Dec 11, 2027
Jan 25, 2027 Feb 12, 2027
Mar 08, 2027 Mar 26, 2027
Apr 26, 2027 May 14, 2027
Jun 07, 2027 Jun 25, 2027
Jul 19, 2027 Aug 06, 2027
Aug 30, 2027 Sep 17, 2027
Oct 11, 2027 Oct 29, 2027
Nov 22, 2027 Dec 10, 2027
Jan 24, 2028 Feb 11, 2028
Mar 06, 2028 Mar 24, 2028
Apr 24, 2028 May 12, 2028
Jun 05, 2028 Jun 24, 2028
Jul 24, 2028 Aug 11, 2028
Sep 04, 2028 Sep 22, 2028
Oct 16, 2028 Nov 03, 2028
Nov 27, 2028 Dec 15, 2028
Jan 22, 2029 Feb 10, 2029

Tuiton Payment

2 Weeks Day class

  • 80 hours of instructor based classroom training
  • Daily class from 8am to 4:30pm
  • Some weekend classes are offered, but not required

Cost $2,350

Requirements (previous aviation experience is required, such as commercial pilot or ATC and the ADX written exam must be completed before the first day of class)

2 week class upcoming dates

Start date Graduation date
Jan 26, 2026 Feb 6, 2026
Mar 09, 2026 Mar 20, 2026
Apr 27, 2026 May 08, 2026
Jun 08, 2026 Jun 19, 2026
Jul 27, 2026 Aug 07, 2026
Sep 07, 2026 Sep 18, 2026
Oct 19, 2026 Oct 30, 2026
Nov 30, 2026 Dec 11, 2026
Feb 01, 2027 Feb 12, 2027
Mar 15, 2027 Mar 26, 2027
May 03, 2027 May 14, 2027
Jun 14, 2027 Jun 25, 2027
Jul 26, 2027 Aug 06, 2027
Sep 06, 2027 Sep 17, 2027
Oct 18, 2027 Oct 29, 2027
Nov 29, 2027 Dec 10, 2027
Jan 31, 2028 Feb 11, 2028
Mar 13, 2028 Mar 24, 2028
May 01, 2028 May 12, 2028
Jun 12, 2028 Jun 24, 2028
Jul 31, 2028 Aug 11, 2028
Sep 11, 2028 Sep 22, 2028
Oct 23, 2028 Nov 03, 2028
Dec 04, 2028 Dec 15, 2028
Jan 25, 2029 Feb 10, 2029

Tuiton Payment

1 week Day class

  • 40 hours of instructional time
  • Daily class from 8am to 4:30pm
  • Some weekend classes are offered but not required.

Cost $2,350.00

Requirements (previous aviation experience is required, such as commercial pilot or ATC and the ADX written exam must be completed before the first day of class)

1 week class upcoming dates

Start date Graduation date
Jan 26, 2026 Jan 30, 2026
Mar 09, 2026 Mar 13, 2026
Apr 27, 2026 May 01, 2026
Jun 08, 2026 Jun 12, 2026
Jul 27, 2026 Jul 31, 2026
Sep 07, 2026 Sep 11, 2026
Oct 19, 2026 Oct 23, 2026
Nov 30, 2026 Dec 04, 2026
Feb 01, 2027 Feb 04, 2027
Feb 01, 2027 Feb 04, 2027
Mar 15, 2027 Mar 19, 2027
May 03, 2027 May 07, 2027
Jun 14, 2027 Jun 18, 2027
Jul 26, 2027 Jul 30, 2027
Sep 06, 2027 Sep 10, 2027
Oct 18, 2027 Oct 22, 2027
Nov 29, 2027 Dec 03, 2027
Jan 31, 2028 Feb 04, 2028
Mar 13, 2028 Mar 18, 2028
May 01, 2028 May 05, 2028
Jun 12, 2028 Jun 16, 2028
Jul 31, 2028 Aug 04, 2028
Sep 11, 2028 Sep 15, 2028
Oct 23, 2028 Oct 27, 2028
Dec 04, 2028 Dec 08, 2028
Jan 29, 2029 Feb 02, 2029

Tuiton Payment

Aircraft Dispatcher Program

As an Aircraft Dispatcher student, you will get hands-on experience in advanced flight planning. Upon completing the Dispatch course, you will be an expert in reading and interpreting METAR’s, TAF’s forecasts, and many important aviation weather charts, which are used in daily airline Flight Dispatch offices. Both Domestic and Global Navigation Systems are covered thoroughly, as well as the North Atlantic Track System (NATS). NOTAMs and Pilot Reports are also covered during the course.

You will study both Low and High altitude IFR En-route charts, Instrument Approach Plates, and you will determine legal approach and landing minimums. Boeing 737-800 Aircraft Systems are studied in detail, along with take-off performance factors and Runway Analysis. Our graduating students are very well prepared to successfully pass the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Written and Oral/Practical certification exams. 8 hours per day (day program) 5 hours per day (evening program) in the classroom and you will receive intensive training. Our job is to do a complete review of aviation topics, and then enhance your knowledge and skills in more advanced topics. The following areas are covered in class: Aviation Weather Theory, Weather Charts, Boeing 737-800 Aircraft Systems, Weight and balance, Boeing 737-800 Cockpit Instruments, Domestic and Global Navigation Systems, IFR High Altitude En-route Charts, IFR Approach Plates, ILS Category I,II, and III Approach and Landing Minimums, the U.S. Air Traffic Control System, Special Use Airspace, FAR 121 Airline Regulations, Advanced Flight Planning, and Airline Operational Control Concepts.

Our goal is to highly polish and fine-tune your skills in preparation to meet the FAA examiner. Most of our advanced students are diamonds in the rough, each having very strong, and yet different, diversified aviation backgrounds. Our job is to identify weak spots and strengthen those areas.  Plan Monday through Friday classroom training with the instructors, and study hard at night in your hotel room. It will take you about two hours to do the practical (flight plan), then another hour or two for the Oral Exam. This is the primary course we offer, thus success rate is extremely high.

FAA approved On-Line Program

Institute of Flight Operations and Dispatch – IFOD is proud to announce the new FAA approved on-line Aircraft Dispatcher Certification program!!!!!

Due to the great demand for Aircraft Dispatchers in the Aviation industry, IFOD made the decision to create the best Dispatcher Online program available in the aviation industry.

This will assist everyone, who for personal or professional reasons, have not been able to attend a full time dispatch class and be part of the incredible Dispatch world.

IFOD has been a pioneer in the aviation education industry, with an extensive history and reputation that is backed up by our very successful graduates all over the world. IFOD’s staff and management are convinced that this new dynamic online option will offer the same quality of education that has provided for the last 30 years.

Distance will no longer be an obstacle to meet your aviation dreams and goals.

IFOD is here to help you achieve it!

Check us out at https://airlinedispatcher.com/ or call us at 817-435-4363

  • Meteorology
  • Weather Theory
  • Weather Charts
  • Aeronautical Information Manual
  • Instrument Approach and Navigation Procedures
  • Communications
  • Air Traffic Control
  • Federal Aviation Regulations
  • Practical Aircraft Dispatching including Flight planning
  • Aircraft and Engine Performance

The program is FAA-approved and fast-paced, taking place over the course of just five weeks. The FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Knowledge Test is usually administered during the first half of the aviation dispatch program, and the FAA Practical Exam is administered following successful completion of the course and after passing the ADX Knowledge Test

Accelerated

IFOD offers a Three Weeks, Two Weeks and One Week Accelerated course to those individuals who have a very strong aviation background and meet FAR Part 65 requirements. We strongly recommend the Two-week program in order for the student to “cement” the knowledge gained in lectures. The FAA allows our school to evaluate each student’s background and experience, and then credit them for prior aviation experience. We will require your Resume and copies of your training, licenses or certificates that you hold. We will evaluate your aviation background, and then advise you if you are qualified to attend one of our Accelerated Training programs. You’ll receive a reply from the IFOD evaluation staff usually within 1-3 working days.

Who Qualifies for the Accelerated Course

  · Assistant Dispatchers
· Military Navigators
· Commercial Pilots with Instruments
· Military Pilots & Airline Pilots
· USAF WSO (Weapons Systems Officers)
· Navy RIO (Radar Intercept Officers)
· Air Traffic Controllers
· NFO (Naval Flight Officers)
· Flight Engineers
· Military & Airline Meteorologists

The individuals listed above qualify for our Accelerated Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate Programs. You must have spent two out of the last three years doing the job to automatically qualify. If your experience is more than two years old, then contact our school to be further evaluated. In many cases, depending on your total overall prior aviation experience, we may be able to qualify you.

Airline Assistant Dispatchers – If you are an Assistant Dispatcher for a scheduled airline, and you have been working under the direct supervision of an FAA licensed Aircraft Dispatcher for at least two out of the last three years, then you automatically qualify for our Accelerated Program. We require that you bring a letter from your airline dispatch office manager or supervisor (on company letterhead) that states that you have been performing the duties of Assistant Dispatcher for at least one year or more, and his letter will be placed in your permanent student record. This is a requirement from the FAA Flight Standards District Office.

Extended Range Twin-Engine Operations

IFOD offers a complete course in International Flight Planning Operations & Extended Range Twin-Engine Operations (commonly referred to as ETOPS). It’s offered in conjunction with our FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate courses, and is included as part of our complete Flight Dispatcher training program.

The ETOPS program is an essential segment of our total over-all Airline Dispatcher training curriculum. It gives our students the edge out in the airline industry.

Remember, the instructors at IFOD are very experienced, major airline Flight Dispatchers. We’ve got years and years of experience in the international flight operations arena. It’s what we do every working day. We were involved in earliest days of ETOPS, when it was in the testing phase with the FAA, and we actually participated in the certification process.

Choose our school. Think about it. Why go to some school that just teaches theory, and has never done it in the real world.

This is a fact for our competition, however, it’s true.

Some schools feel it necessary to charge several hundred dollars for this training course. However, here at IFOD we feel that it is important that each of our graduates be trained in this international curriculum, therefore we include it as the conclusion of our regular program at no fee.

All of our graduates attend this training course and receive an International Flight Operations / ETOPS Certificate of Completion.

What you'll learn about ETOPS (Extended Twin Engine Operations)

  • The FAA’s 60 Minute Rule
  • The 75-minute, 120-minute, 180-minute Rules and as of January 2007 the 240minute Rule
  • Decision Making & Selection of En-Route Alternates & Weather Minimums
  • Equal Time Points & Critical Fuel Requirements
  • International Flight Planning & Route Selection Criteria
  • North Atlantic Track System – NATS & En-route Plotting Charts
  • FAR 121 Federal Aviation Regulations / Flag Air Carrier Rules
  • Extended Range Entry Points
  • Engine Loss / Emergency Procedures – Diversion to En-Alternate
  • Jeppesen JetPlan Flight Planning on Over-Water Routes
  • International NOTAMS – Notices to Airmen
  • Long-Range Navigation Systems – Inertial Navigation (INS) &
  • Captain/Flight Dispatcher Joint Authority/Decision Making

Start typing and press Enter to search