By Shadrach Swante Kambai (shadrach@cliqjets.com)
A flight dispatcher is a qualified aviation professional who plans and coordinates flights with pilots and ground crew. A flight dispatcher’s major role is to guarantee that all flights are safe, efficient, and comply with all legal and regulatory standards. Flight dispatchers are critical to the safety and effectiveness of airline operations; therefore, certain qualities must be possessed by every dispatcher if he is to succeed, such as the ability to pay attention to details, strong communication skills, situation awareness, technical expertise, a good sense of judgment, strong work ethics, and the ability to create and manage teams proactively. An individual must finish specific training and get a license from the relevant regulatory authority, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, to become a flight dispatcher. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction but often include completion of a training program and passing a rigorous exam. A good flight dispatcher should have the following characteristics:
Also, read STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO DISPATCH A FLIGHT IN NIGERIA
Attention to detail: According to Herrity (2023), “attention to detail is your ability to efficiently allocate your cognitive resources to achieve thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing tasks, no matter how small or large”. Flight dispatchers need to be extremely detail-oriented and able to quickly spot and analyze complex information in a high-pressure environment. Therefore, having high attention to detail makes you more productive at work, improving productivity and decreasing the probability of error. Paying attention to detail is a trait that employers want to see in all their employers because it has a high correlation between high quality and productivity.
Strong communication skills: Because all operational plans can only be adequately performed when they are well communicated, the efficiency, safety, and profitability of an airline are all dependent on the quality of communication within the airline. Flight dispatchers must transmit crucial information to pilots, air traffic controllers, and other stakeholders, therefore good communication skills are necessary. Good communication skills enable you to receive and transmit information, ideas, and messages in compelling and situationally relevant ways. Weak communication abilities might have serious implications SkillsYouNeed (2011).
Situational awareness: At its most basic, situational awareness is concerned with knowing what is going on in the environment and its consequences for current and future operational tasks. While this may appear simple in a steady and basic context, it may become a major problem in the fast-paced and complicated world of airline operations. As a result, situational awareness is a term that is especially significant in situations characterized by a high level of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity Nini (2020). This implies flight dispatchers need to be able to anticipate potential problems and adjust flight plans accordingly, staying up to date on weather conditions, airport delays, and other factors that could impact flights.
Technical expertise: Technical skills are the specialized knowledge and competence necessary in real-world circumstances to complete certain jobs and use specific equipment and programs. From information technology and corporate administration to health care and education, diverse technical abilities are necessary for almost every sector and industry Coursera (2022). Similarly, in order to accomplish operational objectives, flight dispatchers must have a thorough grasp of aircraft systems, navigation equipment, and flight planning software. A dispatcher who lacks the necessary capabilities will be exceedingly inefficient and may endanger an airline’s safety, efficiency, and profitability.
Good judgment: Good judgment includes prioritizing, meeting deadlines, and carefully planning, which are tools that enable us to effectively cope in difficult and stressful situations. Making decisions that fail to consider the future can lead to high levels of stress when we have to rush deadlines and deal with pressing problems Butorova (2017). As a result, flight dispatchers must utilize their superior judgment to make quick, informed judgments in high-stress situations, often with minimal information and time. One of my old bosses used to remark that a dispatcher’s quality is judged during a crisis, not when things are going smoothly. Hence, for all dispatchers who want to be remembered as one of the finest in the industry, establishing a good sense of judgment is inevitable.
Teamwork: Teamwork is defined as team members’ capacity to collaborate, communicate effectively, anticipate and meet each other’s requests, and inspire confidence, resulting in coordinated collective action. Every flight dispatcher works closely with pilots, air traffic controllers, and other stakeholders to ensure safe and efficient flight operations therefore Collaboration and teamwork have become inevitable. The ability to create and work in a team is a great advantage to every dispatcher.
Flexibility: In flight operations, flexibility implies being able to quickly react to new circumstances as they emerge. A flexible flight dispatcher can adjust their plans to negotiate or overcome unanticipated challenges while still meeting the schedule. Flight dispatchers must be able to adapt to changing situations and make quick judgments in reaction to unanticipated events or emergencies, which will always exist in some form. As a result, understanding how to manage them is now unavoidable.
Strong work ethic: A strong work ethic is an attitude an employee applies to their work that indicates a high level of passion for any work they do. The work of a flight dispatcher can be demanding, with irregular hours and long shifts. Generally, a fight dispatcher job requires a strong work ethic, and dedication to safety and efficiency is critical for success.
References
Butorova, H. (2017, December 15). The Importance of Good Judgement. Citywise. https://citywise.org/importance-good-judgement/#:~:text=Good%20judgement%20includes%20prioritising%2C%20meeting
Coursera. (2022, November 5). What Are Technical Skills? Coursera. https://www.coursera.org/articles/what-are-technical-skills
Herrity, J. (2023, February 4). Attention to Detail: Definition and Examples | Indeed.com. Indeed Career Guide. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/attention-to-detail#:~:text=What%20is%20attention%20to%20detail
Nini, M. (2020, January 29). Situational awareness: What it is and why it matters as a management tool | CQ Net – Management skills for everyone. CQ Net – Management Skills for Everyone! https://www.ckju.net/en/dossier/situational-awareness-what-it-and-why-it-matters-management-tool
SkillsYouNeed. (2011). Communication Skills | SkillsYouNeed. Skillsyouneed.com. https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/communication-skills.html
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