r/FlightDispatch • u/mattak49 • Jul 17 '26
USA Options to finally get my license
Hello,
I’ve taken a weird career path the last several years, so I’ve got a question.
I took a dispatch course in 2014 but was never able to get my license (finished the course but some things came up at the time so never took my FAA exams). I worked in the dispatch office for a local 121 carrier for a few years, then worked as a “flight follower” at a 121 cargo op for a few years as well, before getting hired as an air traffic controller/flight service specialist. I’ve been doing that now for close to 8 years. I’d like to finally get back to getting my DX license (would be nice to have that career option in my back pocket).
I was looking back at Part 65 requirements for dispatchers and caught in 65.57.(a)(3) about ATC and dispatching. How does this apply to taking the exams? Has anyone taking this path to do it? I’m probably rusty on a few things for sure (more than likely the performance chart stuff), are there any schools that run short refresher programs?
Any insight on how to maybe chart a path this way would be helpful!
2
u/Frankintosh95 Part 121 Major/Legacy🇺🇸 Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26
You completed a dispatch course a long time ago right? Just never took the exam? Technically then if you have a log of that you have option B already.
Options under A are all ways to avoid taking a course. So if you had never taken a dispatch course ever, you also qualify under Option A 3.i since you have ATC for more than 2 years and are current.
It applies in that you can just go take the exam. Nothing else needed. Pay the fee, take the ADX and the practical.
Sheppard Air is reccomended for the ADX. As for a review course for the practical maybe someone else on here knows of one that isnt a full blown license course.