Education · 1 of 5

The path

A short course, two hard exams, then training at the airline that hires you.

1. 1

   Finish high school

   Grade 12

   Math, physics, geography and English. Weather and numbers are the job.

2. 2

   Take a flight dispatcher course

   3 to 9 months

   A private aviation school or college program covering air law, aeroplane operations, navigation, radio aids, flight planning and meteorology.

3. 3

   Pass both Transport Canada exams

   Exam days

   One 3.5 hour exam of 80 questions on air law, operations, navigation and flight planning, and one 3.5 hour exam of 100 questions on meteorology. You need 70% on each.

4. 4

   Get hired and do operator training

   3 to 6 months

   You cannot begin on the job training until both exams are passed. The airline then trains you on its own aircraft, routes and manuals.

5. 5

   Competency check and sign off

   Ongoing

   A check dispatcher confirms you can do the job. The check is repeated every year.