Dispatch Program's  "Rules of the Game"

Last Updated: Sunday, 28 April, 2024 at 0819ET

Rules of the Game!

Attendance

1)      You must attend a minimum of 95% of the scheduled hours.  Anything you miss I am willing to do one-on-ones to catch up.

a.      Total hours 200.

b.      You can miss up to 5%.

c.      190 hours is the minimum attendance.

2)      Measurement in units of ½ hour (30 minutes).

a.      If late ⅒ of an hour (6 minutes) you are considered late.

 i.      Example:

Class starts at 1600

You show up at 1605, you are not late.

You show up at 1606, you are considered 30 minutes late.

You show up at 1635, you are considered 30 minutes late.

You show up at 1636, you are considered 60 minutes (1 hour) late.

3)      200 hours total means that if you have missed more than ten hours, you are automatically drpped from the program as there is no chance to make up the time [see "1)" above]

Exams

4)      There will be approximately 10 stage-exams (if a large class in writing, if a small class orally) -one every two-to-three weeks- to 

(a) reinforce what we have learned, 

b) in preparation for the FAA Written Test, and           

(c) in preparation for the FAA Oral & Practical exam.

a.      Passing grade is 70%.

b.      If you fail the same stage-exam twice, you are not part of the program any longer.

i.      Example

You fail the 4th stage-exam once, you can retake the 4th stage-exam.

If you fail the 2nd attempt of the 4th stage-exam, you are not part of the program any longer.

If you pass the 2nd attempt of the 4th stage-exam, it is not considered a fail.

 c.      Of the approximately dozen stage-exams, you cannot fail more than 3 on the first attempt

i.      Example

You fail the first attempt of the 2nd, 4th, and 6th stage-exam, but pass on the 2nd attempt; you cannot fail any of the stage exams after that, as that would require a 2nd attempt; you won’t be part of the program any longer.

5)      You cannot be signed off at the end of the program unless you pass the 

(a) internal Written Exit Exam with a grade of 85% or better, and                                                         

(b) the mock Oral & Practical exam prep.

Communication

6)      Many of the resources you need for the class reside on https://sites.google.com/view/avprep/home?authuser=0.

  To access that website, you need 

(a) a gmail account, and 

(b) permission to access the site. 

To participate in this class, you will need the ability to access the website.

7)      Most of the communication will be conducted:

a.      via WhatsApp,

b.      there will be a WhatsApp group called “AvPrepA,” and

c.      via e-mail (mine is manwink@protonmail.com; please note that I check my e-mail every 36 to 48 hours, so a response would be late)

8)      I can be reached at 516/343.8905, but I may not be able to pick up the phone at certain times.  Please do NOT leave a voicemail; send me a WhatsApp message, instead.

Costs

The course -which represents an approximate US$5,000 value- is free to you.                                               

It is the only thing free to you.

Everything else, you are responsible for (approximate values), such as but not limited to:

Written exam preparation                  US$ 85.00   https://sheppardair.com/dispatcher.htm *

Written FAA exam                              US$ 175.00    taken approximately 60% to 80% into the course.

Oral & Practical FAA exam                 US$ 495.00    taken after completing the course. **

Resources, i.e. charts, etc.                US$ 275.00    to be covered as we move through the program.

Transportation to class & events                                         i.e. gas & parking.

*       Here is how you sign-up for the written exam preparation  https://sheppardair.com/signup.htm

** The sign-off you get is valid for 90 days, so if you were to get the sign-off on October 29th said

       sign off would expire 90 days later on January 26th.

The class is there to help and elucidate and clarify items on the written exam that you will be studying for on Sheppard Air's platform.

The class is not there to "teach" you to pass the written exam, memorizing the questions.

Many thanks to:

Without the following people’s generosity (in alphabetical order), none of this would or could have happened - I am deeply indebted to them:

-  James W. Etchison                         Academics of Flight

-  Sara Louisa Hill, EdD                    Community Organizer

-  Marguerite Keller                            Hispanic Brotherhood

-  Keiko                          Instructor

-  Jules Pluviose                                  National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees

-  Father Felipe Rufes, M.Id.               Pastor, Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church

- Alton Taylor National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees

-  Kyie                                 Instructor

-  Dr. Zodelia Williams                     3D’s Aftercare Inc.

….. and many more!

To honor their spirit & generosity, please:

-  Look out for each other, especially if you find someone else struggling!

-  Leave the facilities every time just as you find them - or better! (at the end of the day, please help moving the whiteboard to where it lives 😊).

-  Remove your trash.

-  Keep the facilities clean.

Expectations

Attaining the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher certification does several things:

• If you have never worked in the aviation industry before, your chances of getting an entry-level position are significantly increased.

• If you are already working within an aviation company, i.e. airline, charter company, FBO, your chances for promotion into their Systems Operation Center -of which Dispatch is a part of- are significantly increased.

• If you want to attain an Associate’s or Bachelors’ Degree in an Aviation Field, depending on the specific area and university this license could get you 12-18 credit hours worth of credit.

• If nothing else  -and that is super important- you will recognize complexities that most people never see, much less imagine … and

• Whatever else, learning is FUN! 

• If you enjoy aviation, we can help you get your

o   FAR Part 107 Remote Pilots Certificate and/or

o   FAR Part 61 Ground Instructor (Advanced & Instruments)

Finally

You cannot hold any of the aforementioned people and organizations liable or responsible for any issues.  This statement was not designed by a lawyer; it is meant in the spirit of us providing you an opportunity which -to receive- you are responsible for, whether academically, financially, physically or in any other way.  Be aware that this is not an easy course. Good Luck!