Sacramento City College maintains a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorized 14 CFR Part 65 Aircraft Dispatcher (AD) Program. Our one-year certificate and two-year degree programs are designed to meet the needs of students who desire the technical training in order to qualify for the written, oral, and practical tests for the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate.

This is an intensive aviation program that brings participants with little or no aviation knowledge up to a knowledge level required by working aviation professionals. The program is taught in a two-semester sequenced learning cohort, with 12-15 credit units per semester.

All required courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or better.

In the final semester, students will be required to take the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test for Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX written). Students must be 21 years of age to take the exam. This exam is given on a PASS/FAIL basis by testing centers authorized by the FAA but not affiliated with Sacramento City College. Costs for the exam currently range from $150-$165.

Students who successfully complete the FAA written exam, and who receive an Aircraft Dispatcher program Certificate of Completion, are eligible to take the FAA Practical Exam. In accordance with FAA regulations, the authorization to take the exam is valid for 90 days after completion of the ATCAD 310 Aircraft Dispatcher Operations course. Sacramento City College normally makes arrangements to have an FAA Dispatch Examiner present at the college within that window. Costs for the Dispatch Practical Exam range from $600 to $1000.

Upon passing the FAA Practical Exam, graduates aged 23 years or more are certificated to perform the duties of an aircraft dispatcher for a 14 CFR Part 121 Air Carrier. Those who have not reached age 23 are issued an FAA Letter of Competency which may be presented to any FAA Flight Standards Office for issuance of the Aircraft Dispatcher certificate on or after their 23rd birthday.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

✔ perform the required duties of an Aircraft Dispatcher, as outlined by the Federal Aviation Administration.

✔ demonstrate a readiness to take the oral and practical examinations for the Federal Aviation Administration's aircraft dispatcher certificate.

✔ apply concepts learned such as weather analysis, large aircraft systems, regulations, and human factors to practical Aircraft Dispatcher problems.

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

✔ The Federal Aviation Administration requires that all applicants read, write, speak, and understand the English language. FAA guidance on language proficiency can be found in the current version of Advisory Circular AC60-28 and the Level 4 proficiency standards of ICAO Doc 9835.

✔ One of the following:

a) Successful completion of FLTEC 320, Private Pilot Ground, OR

b) Hold an FAA or ICAO-compliant Private Pilot certificate with a current biennial flight review (BFR), OR

c) Have significant documented recent (within the last 5 years) military or civilian commercial aviation operations experience.

The Federal Aviation Administration requires that applicants for the Aircraft Dispatcher written exam be at least 21 years of age. It is expected that students complete the FAA written exam after completing ATCAD 309, but before ATCAD 310 begins.