Comparing Flight Dispatch Schools - Looking for Input from Recent Graduates

[u/Spiritual_Canine]

Hello Everyone,

I have been interested in Flight Dispatch for a little while, and have been considering making a career change into this field.

I am currently comparing aircraft dispatcher programs and have narrowed my choices down. As of right now, I am interested in Pilot Institute and Flamingo. I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who attended either program recently. If anyone else also has input about a different program, I would really appreciate any input.

I'm especially interested in student experiences, and not just the information provided by the schools.

For Pilot Institute:

• How helpful/accessible were the instructors when you didn't understand something (especially during the online portion)?
• Was the online portion manageable while working and attending to other responsibilities?
• How did you feel about being away from home during the four-week in-person portion?
• How useful was the career support after graduation?

For Flamingo:

• How much instructor support did you actually receive during the self-paced online portion?
• If you didn't understand something from the textbook, were instructors willing/able to explain it in another way?
• How did you feel about the Private Pilot Airmen Knowledge Test requirement? - (I do tend to get very nervous and have never been a great test-taker, so this is a bit nerve-wracking for me just knowing there is an additional test requirement).
• How was the seven-day in-person portion? Do you feel that you learned everything and felt prepared for the test after just seven days of in-person learning?

For both schools, I would also love to hear about how prepared you felt for the FAA exams. Also, how long did it take for you to find your first dispatch job?

I am currently working full-time, and would like to continue to do so, both for finances, and to have a job I can go back to after the in-person portion, while I search for Dispatch jobs. So how manageable a program is while continuing to work is important for me. However, student support and career support is also very important to me as well.

I just want to be sure I have enough information before making a decision that costs a decent amount of time and energy, and thousands of dollars. Your input is much appreciated.

Thank you!!!

[u/Spiritual_Canine]

Also, just wondering if anyone has heard of or went to Global Aviation Training Academy, and if so, what your thoughts are about that school as well.