Flight Dispatch Mock Oral Exam UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Question: Who is an Aircraft Dispatcher?
Correct Answer: An Aircraft Dispatcher is a human who is in charge of starting, continuing, and
terminating a flight with a combination of training, knowledge, experience, responsibility, sophistication,
and common sense.
Question: What is the Aircraft dispatcher specifically responsible for?
Correct Answer: Monitoring the progress of each flight, issuing necessary information for the safety of the
flight, canceling or re-dispatching a flight if, in his opinion or the opinion of the PIC, the flight cannot
continue to operate safely as planned or released.
Question: Airport Types
Correct Answer: Regular Airport: Approved by the administrator for regular use by an air carrier to
provide service to a community. Provisional Airport: Approved by the administrator for use by an air carrier
to provide service to a community when the regular airport in use for that community is not available.
Refueling Airport: Approved by the administrator for use by an air carrier for the sole purpose of refueling
airplanes on long distance flights, when is not possible to load all required fuel at departure airport for a
non-stop flight. Alternative Airport: Approved by the administrator for use by an air carrier when landing at
the intended regular airport becomes inadvisable due to weather or other reasons.
Question: Airline Carrier Types
Correct Answer: Domestic Air Carrier: Regular schedule service on routes within the contiguous 48 states
and the district of Columbia, except allowed to go outside of the 48 states under special authorization.
DISPATCHERS REQUIRED. Flag Air Carrier: Regular schedule service on foreign and domestic routes.
DISPATCHERS REQUIRED. Supplemental Air Carriers: Unscheduled (charters) service on foreign and
domestic routes. DISPATCHERS ARE NOT REQUIRED. THEY USE FLIGHT FOLLOWERS.
Question: What are the three things that a PIC must have when taking off? How long must a certificate
holder keep records of these documents?
Correct Answer: Load Manifest, Flight Plan and Dispatch release. Documents are kept for 3 months
Question: What is "Crew resource management" (CRM)?
Correct Answer: Crew Resource Management (CRM) is the effective use of all available resources for
flight crew personnel to assure a safe and efficient operation, reducing error, avoiding stress and increasing
efficiency.
Question: What is "dispatch resource management" (DRM)?
Correct Answer: Successful DRM is defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a
"dispatcher who coordinates a wide array of resources for the flight crew. DRM addresses the challenge of
optimizing the person/machine interface and related interpersonal issues. In other words: Successful DRM
involves coordinating resources, optimizing human-machine interaction, addressing interpersonal issues,
and ensuring effective communication and decision-making to maintain safety and efficiency during flight
operations.
Question: How does the FAA define "dispatcher situational awareness"? (AC 121-32)
,Correct Answer: The FAA defines "dispatcher situational awareness" ability to absorb information in a
dynamic environment, evaluate and refine that information, anticipate contingencies, and initiate
appropriate actions as necessary." Put simply, situational awareness (SA) means appreciating all you need
to know about what is going on when the full scope of your task is taken into account.
Question: What is a "flight plan"? (14 CFR §1.1)
Correct Answer: A flight plan means specific information related to the intended flight of an aircraft that is
filed orally or in writing with air traffic control. Flight plans include information such as the departure
airport, destination airport, route of flight, estimated time of departure, estimated time enroute, flight rule
type (IFR/VFR), and fuel onboard. The FAA now requires flights using random and/or RNAV routes to use
the ICAO flight plan form (FAA form 7233-4), which differs from the typical FAA form 7233-1.
Question: Flight Plan / Check List (From School)
Correct Answer: 1. Go through the opspecs. - Can we fly to the region, airport and type that it is ? - Crew
legality can they fly this do they have the hours part 117. 2. MEL of the AC 3. Weather of this flight -
Enroute low to high - METARS / TAFS - Prog Charts (All of them) - Icing, turbulence, SIGMETS, PIREPS
(Anything that you can find). Check and review valid times. 4. Start filling briefing and debriefing
form/start filling out flight release. The most important info goes in additional information. (ie. runways are
closed or HMC). 5. NOTAMS all of them! GPS, RAIM, ADS-B, NOTAMS D's, FDC, FICON, TFRs, etc.
6. Pick a T/O runway jump to the book get WC table, go and get the WC (put that number somewhere). 7.
Create the route choose SID, route STAR. (A-B-C's) Weights. Start filling out airway check points
distances and magnetic courses on the FP form. 8. Start picking your altitudes but you need to know your
payload, page 2.2.1 Pay attention! - How much Est. fuel is being used from A-B burned - How do we get
that A-B fuel? Preplanning numbers use 420 knots GS use your FP for school we add no more than 15 mins
extra fuel (for real life put no more than 5) Payload=Basic operating weight - actual zero fuel weight Actual
payload - find your BOW and add your predicted fuel then subtract that from your max taxi weight and it
will give you your max payload for that flight.
Question: Flight Plan Brief / EXAMPLE
Correct Answer: Good evening captain, Today you'll be operating TSA 001. We will be departing KDEN
to KBHM / (with no T/O ALT or destination alt per 121.619.) - We have no listed MELs. For fuel today
onboard you have 10118 at the ramp and will have 9618 at takeoff, Your A-B burn should be 6918 and you
have 2700 for your 45 min reserve, The weather forecast for this evening in DEN is favourable with winds
coming from 80 degrees at 10Kts with 10SM visibility. And FEW clous at 12,000 ft, scattered at 16,000
and broken at 22,000. For landing, weather in BHM is equally favourable, winds coming from 320 at 2
KTS, PS6 visibility and scatter clouts at 22,000 ft. Your aircrafts is currently stationed at terminal A and
you can expect to use TW AN to TW M for runway 8 departure. Your SID will EPKEE7 and your
transition point will be DUUZE. Your final transition point into KBHM will be BAZKN (No STAR for this
airport) for an Arrival RNAV RWY 36 Approach. Expect to be directed to TXW F or B to the terminal.
Your alternate airport will be KATL this evening. Weather conditions are currently favourable with winds
coming from 300 degres at 4 KTS, visibility PS6M BKN150. You'll be using RWY 26L if necessary.
NOTAM: Nothing to report that affects our trip this evening at all airports. (D NOTAMS, FDC NOTAMS,
FICON, ... etc.)
Question: What are operations specifications (Ops Specs)?
Correct Answer: This document describes how an air carrier is to comply with the various applicable
regulations and procedures. This manual must include procedures, authorizations, and limitations related to
the operation of all aircraft authorized to be operated by the carrier. "The Bible" / The Ops Specs may
, contain waivers for an air carrier. In case of a discrepancy between the Ops Specs and the FAR's, the Ops
Specs will prevail.
Question: What is C055 ops spec?
Correct Answer: OpSpec C055 / Alternate Airport IFR Weather Miniumums. Is approved by the
Administrator as an alternative method of calculating alternate minimums to that specified in § 91.169(c)
(AIM)
Question: What is C070 ops spec?
Correct Answer: OpSpec C070 / Airports Authorized for Scheduled Operations.
Question: What is MEL & CDL
Correct Answer: A minimum equipment list (MEL) is a listing of items onboard an aircraft that can be
inoperative under certain conditions. Examples of items in the MEL would be a flight instrument or a cabin
light. A Configuration Deviation List (CDL) is a listing of items on the outside of an aircraft that can be
missing or broken under certain conditions. Examples of items in the CDL would be a navigation light lens
cover or an antenna. Both MEL and CDL are set up in accordance with the standard ATA numerical
maintenance codes. (ATA - Air Transport Association - an ICAO definition).
Question: MEL Repair Category
Correct Answer: Repair Category: All users of a MEL must repairs inoperative instruments and equipment
items in accordance with the MEL repair times established by letter designators: REPAIR CATEGORY A:
Item must be repaired within the time interval specified in the "Remarks or Exceptions" column. REPAIR
CATEGORY B: Item must be repaired within 3 consecutive calendar-days (72 hours) excluding the day the
malfunction was recorded in the aircraft maintenance record/logbook. REPAIR CATEGORY C: Item must
be repaired within 10 consecutive calendar-days (240 hours) excluding the day the malfunction was
recorded in the aircraft maintenance record/logbook. REPAIR CATEGORY D: Item must be repaired
within 120 consecutive calendar-days (2880 hours) excluding the day the malfunction was recorded in the
aircraft maintenance record/logbook.
Question: What is a NOTAM?
Correct Answer: Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) A NOTAM is a notice containing information
essential to personnel concerned with flight operations but not known far enough in advance to be
publicized by other means. They are typically issued for temporary or permanent changes in aviation
infrastructure, services, or procedures. Dispatchers are required to review NOTAMs before each flight to
ensure they have the most up-to-date information about their planned route, destination airport, and any
alternate airports along the way. In the United States these NOTAMs are published in the Notices To
Airmen Publication (NTAP) which is issued every 28 days.
Question: Types of NOTAMS / Where can I find them ?
Correct Answer: Types of NOTAMs (5-1-3) > ARTCC NOTAMs: For ARTCC Areas. > NAVAIDE
NOTAMS: To ensure Navigation Aide's required for the flight are in service. > GPS NOTAMS: To find
GPS outages, GPS testing and anomalies along the route. > NOTAM (D): NOTAMs that are primarily
distributed within the United States although they may also be available in Canada. Information include:
RWY, TWY, APRON, OBST, NAV, COM, SVC, AIRSPACE, ODP, etc... > FDC (Flight Data Center)
NOTAMS: Regulatory Information like amendments to published IAP's. TFR'S & FICON are part of this
ones. > INTERNATIONAL NOTAMS: Any NOTAM intended for distribution to more than one country. >
MILITARY: Originated by US Airforce, Army, Marines, etc. Where can I find them ?
CORRECT Answers
Question: Who is an Aircraft Dispatcher?
Correct Answer: An Aircraft Dispatcher is a human who is in charge of starting, continuing, and
terminating a flight with a combination of training, knowledge, experience, responsibility, sophistication,
and common sense.
Question: What is the Aircraft dispatcher specifically responsible for?
Correct Answer: Monitoring the progress of each flight, issuing necessary information for the safety of the
flight, canceling or re-dispatching a flight if, in his opinion or the opinion of the PIC, the flight cannot
continue to operate safely as planned or released.
Question: Airport Types
Correct Answer: Regular Airport: Approved by the administrator for regular use by an air carrier to
provide service to a community. Provisional Airport: Approved by the administrator for use by an air carrier
to provide service to a community when the regular airport in use for that community is not available.
Refueling Airport: Approved by the administrator for use by an air carrier for the sole purpose of refueling
airplanes on long distance flights, when is not possible to load all required fuel at departure airport for a
non-stop flight. Alternative Airport: Approved by the administrator for use by an air carrier when landing at
the intended regular airport becomes inadvisable due to weather or other reasons.
Question: Airline Carrier Types
Correct Answer: Domestic Air Carrier: Regular schedule service on routes within the contiguous 48 states
and the district of Columbia, except allowed to go outside of the 48 states under special authorization.
DISPATCHERS REQUIRED. Flag Air Carrier: Regular schedule service on foreign and domestic routes.
DISPATCHERS REQUIRED. Supplemental Air Carriers: Unscheduled (charters) service on foreign and
domestic routes. DISPATCHERS ARE NOT REQUIRED. THEY USE FLIGHT FOLLOWERS.
Question: What are the three things that a PIC must have when taking off? How long must a certificate
holder keep records of these documents?
Correct Answer: Load Manifest, Flight Plan and Dispatch release. Documents are kept for 3 months
Question: What is "Crew resource management" (CRM)?
Correct Answer: Crew Resource Management (CRM) is the effective use of all available resources for
flight crew personnel to assure a safe and efficient operation, reducing error, avoiding stress and increasing
efficiency.
Question: What is "dispatch resource management" (DRM)?
Correct Answer: Successful DRM is defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a
"dispatcher who coordinates a wide array of resources for the flight crew. DRM addresses the challenge of
optimizing the person/machine interface and related interpersonal issues. In other words: Successful DRM
involves coordinating resources, optimizing human-machine interaction, addressing interpersonal issues,
and ensuring effective communication and decision-making to maintain safety and efficiency during flight
operations.
Question: How does the FAA define "dispatcher situational awareness"? (AC 121-32)
,Correct Answer: The FAA defines "dispatcher situational awareness" ability to absorb information in a
dynamic environment, evaluate and refine that information, anticipate contingencies, and initiate
appropriate actions as necessary." Put simply, situational awareness (SA) means appreciating all you need
to know about what is going on when the full scope of your task is taken into account.
Question: What is a "flight plan"? (14 CFR §1.1)
Correct Answer: A flight plan means specific information related to the intended flight of an aircraft that is
filed orally or in writing with air traffic control. Flight plans include information such as the departure
airport, destination airport, route of flight, estimated time of departure, estimated time enroute, flight rule
type (IFR/VFR), and fuel onboard. The FAA now requires flights using random and/or RNAV routes to use
the ICAO flight plan form (FAA form 7233-4), which differs from the typical FAA form 7233-1.
Question: Flight Plan / Check List (From School)
Correct Answer: 1. Go through the opspecs. - Can we fly to the region, airport and type that it is ? - Crew
legality can they fly this do they have the hours part 117. 2. MEL of the AC 3. Weather of this flight -
Enroute low to high - METARS / TAFS - Prog Charts (All of them) - Icing, turbulence, SIGMETS, PIREPS
(Anything that you can find). Check and review valid times. 4. Start filling briefing and debriefing
form/start filling out flight release. The most important info goes in additional information. (ie. runways are
closed or HMC). 5. NOTAMS all of them! GPS, RAIM, ADS-B, NOTAMS D's, FDC, FICON, TFRs, etc.
6. Pick a T/O runway jump to the book get WC table, go and get the WC (put that number somewhere). 7.
Create the route choose SID, route STAR. (A-B-C's) Weights. Start filling out airway check points
distances and magnetic courses on the FP form. 8. Start picking your altitudes but you need to know your
payload, page 2.2.1 Pay attention! - How much Est. fuel is being used from A-B burned - How do we get
that A-B fuel? Preplanning numbers use 420 knots GS use your FP for school we add no more than 15 mins
extra fuel (for real life put no more than 5) Payload=Basic operating weight - actual zero fuel weight Actual
payload - find your BOW and add your predicted fuel then subtract that from your max taxi weight and it
will give you your max payload for that flight.
Question: Flight Plan Brief / EXAMPLE
Correct Answer: Good evening captain, Today you'll be operating TSA 001. We will be departing KDEN
to KBHM / (with no T/O ALT or destination alt per 121.619.) - We have no listed MELs. For fuel today
onboard you have 10118 at the ramp and will have 9618 at takeoff, Your A-B burn should be 6918 and you
have 2700 for your 45 min reserve, The weather forecast for this evening in DEN is favourable with winds
coming from 80 degrees at 10Kts with 10SM visibility. And FEW clous at 12,000 ft, scattered at 16,000
and broken at 22,000. For landing, weather in BHM is equally favourable, winds coming from 320 at 2
KTS, PS6 visibility and scatter clouts at 22,000 ft. Your aircrafts is currently stationed at terminal A and
you can expect to use TW AN to TW M for runway 8 departure. Your SID will EPKEE7 and your
transition point will be DUUZE. Your final transition point into KBHM will be BAZKN (No STAR for this
airport) for an Arrival RNAV RWY 36 Approach. Expect to be directed to TXW F or B to the terminal.
Your alternate airport will be KATL this evening. Weather conditions are currently favourable with winds
coming from 300 degres at 4 KTS, visibility PS6M BKN150. You'll be using RWY 26L if necessary.
NOTAM: Nothing to report that affects our trip this evening at all airports. (D NOTAMS, FDC NOTAMS,
FICON, ... etc.)
Question: What are operations specifications (Ops Specs)?
Correct Answer: This document describes how an air carrier is to comply with the various applicable
regulations and procedures. This manual must include procedures, authorizations, and limitations related to
the operation of all aircraft authorized to be operated by the carrier. "The Bible" / The Ops Specs may
, contain waivers for an air carrier. In case of a discrepancy between the Ops Specs and the FAR's, the Ops
Specs will prevail.
Question: What is C055 ops spec?
Correct Answer: OpSpec C055 / Alternate Airport IFR Weather Miniumums. Is approved by the
Administrator as an alternative method of calculating alternate minimums to that specified in § 91.169(c)
(AIM)
Question: What is C070 ops spec?
Correct Answer: OpSpec C070 / Airports Authorized for Scheduled Operations.
Question: What is MEL & CDL
Correct Answer: A minimum equipment list (MEL) is a listing of items onboard an aircraft that can be
inoperative under certain conditions. Examples of items in the MEL would be a flight instrument or a cabin
light. A Configuration Deviation List (CDL) is a listing of items on the outside of an aircraft that can be
missing or broken under certain conditions. Examples of items in the CDL would be a navigation light lens
cover or an antenna. Both MEL and CDL are set up in accordance with the standard ATA numerical
maintenance codes. (ATA - Air Transport Association - an ICAO definition).
Question: MEL Repair Category
Correct Answer: Repair Category: All users of a MEL must repairs inoperative instruments and equipment
items in accordance with the MEL repair times established by letter designators: REPAIR CATEGORY A:
Item must be repaired within the time interval specified in the "Remarks or Exceptions" column. REPAIR
CATEGORY B: Item must be repaired within 3 consecutive calendar-days (72 hours) excluding the day the
malfunction was recorded in the aircraft maintenance record/logbook. REPAIR CATEGORY C: Item must
be repaired within 10 consecutive calendar-days (240 hours) excluding the day the malfunction was
recorded in the aircraft maintenance record/logbook. REPAIR CATEGORY D: Item must be repaired
within 120 consecutive calendar-days (2880 hours) excluding the day the malfunction was recorded in the
aircraft maintenance record/logbook.
Question: What is a NOTAM?
Correct Answer: Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) A NOTAM is a notice containing information
essential to personnel concerned with flight operations but not known far enough in advance to be
publicized by other means. They are typically issued for temporary or permanent changes in aviation
infrastructure, services, or procedures. Dispatchers are required to review NOTAMs before each flight to
ensure they have the most up-to-date information about their planned route, destination airport, and any
alternate airports along the way. In the United States these NOTAMs are published in the Notices To
Airmen Publication (NTAP) which is issued every 28 days.
Question: Types of NOTAMS / Where can I find them ?
Correct Answer: Types of NOTAMs (5-1-3) > ARTCC NOTAMs: For ARTCC Areas. > NAVAIDE
NOTAMS: To ensure Navigation Aide's required for the flight are in service. > GPS NOTAMS: To find
GPS outages, GPS testing and anomalies along the route. > NOTAM (D): NOTAMs that are primarily
distributed within the United States although they may also be available in Canada. Information include:
RWY, TWY, APRON, OBST, NAV, COM, SVC, AIRSPACE, ODP, etc... > FDC (Flight Data Center)
NOTAMS: Regulatory Information like amendments to published IAP's. TFR'S & FICON are part of this
ones. > INTERNATIONAL NOTAMS: Any NOTAM intended for distribution to more than one country. >
MILITARY: Originated by US Airforce, Army, Marines, etc. Where can I find them ?
