Dispatch Specialization

Become an FAA-Certified Dispatcher while pursuing your bachelor's degree.

Aircraft Dispatchers are licensed professionals who possess joint responsibility with the Pilot in Command (PIC) for the safety and operational control of flights under their guidance. Through extensive testing and training, potential candidates must pass both an oral examination and a comprehensive written test to become an FAA Dispatcher. These tests are similar to the knowledge level required for the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) written and oral examinations.

At UND, our Dispatch Specialization is an approved FAA Part 65 Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course. The program requires a minimum of 200 hours of instruction through seven aviation and meteorology courses, and two intensive dispatch-specific courses, AVIT 380 and AVIT 478.

While the aviation knowledge required is rigorous, please note this is a non-flying program, and students do not need an FAA medical to obtain their Dispatch Certification.

AVIT 380

Introduction to Aircraft Dispatch (AVIT 380), is part one of our two-part dispatch training courses. This course will allow students to gain fundamental knowledge in subject areas pertaining to aircraft dispatching such as:

• Weather
• NOTAMs
• Regulations
• Operations and Procedures
• Communication
• Navigation
• Human Factors
• Aeronautical Decision-Making

Throughout the course, students will become experts in these topic areas and use real aircraft dispatching scenarios to strengthen their technical skills. This class is currently only offered in the fall semester.

AVIT 478

After completing AVIT 380, students must take Practical Dispatch Applications (AVIT 478) in the subsequent spring semester. This course is designed to build upon the lessons learned in Introduction to Aircraft Dispatch, and complete the training necessary to become a certified dispatcher. Using a Boeing 737 as the basis of study, students will gain knowledge on flight planning and aircraft systems. Additionally, this course will focus on regulatory compliance necessary for dispatching domestic and international flights.

Eligibility

The Dispatch Specialization is not available to all majors due to the strict parameters of Part 65 Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses. The FAA requires a minimum of 200 hours of instruction to qualify for the dispatch practical exams. This requirement is met through the completion of the following courses with a "C" grade or higher:

• AVIT 102, AVIT 220,^*  and AVIT 222 ground schools
• AVIT 103
• AVIT 324 (flying students) OR AVIT 328 (non-flying students)
• ATSC 110 and ATSC 231
• AVIT 380 and AVIT 478

Due to these requirements, only declared Aviation majors are eligible for the Dispatch Specialization. However, please note that the timeline and process for completing these courses will vary depending on whether you are a flying or non-flying student.

Non-Flying Students

This program is designed for students with a passion for aviation but looking for a non-flying career. Aircraft dispatching requires a high level of aeronautical knowledge, and dispatchers share responsibility with the PIC for the safety of flight. As such, non-flying students are required to take the ground schools for AVIT 102, AVIT 220,^* and AVIT 222 (among other, non-flying classes) to meet the knowledge and technical skills required for the dispatch practical exams.

In order to take these classes as a non-flying student (without the flight lab), you must sign a release form, giving up the ability to be a flight student at UND in the future. You can take the class and receive academic credit, without needing to pass the typical associated flight course lab.

Due to the aviation ground schools required, non-flying students are encouraged to apply early in their undergraduate program.

Flying Students

For current flight students, the Dispatch Specialization is well-suited for those interested in an alternative career path or may have lost their FAA Medical Certificate. There is a significant overlap in required courses between our flight degree programs and the Dispatch Specialization. As a result, most current or prior flight students will only need to take AVIT 380 and AVIT 478 in addition to the courses required for their degree.

However, a flying student will not be eligible to apply for the Dispatch Specialization until they have completed AVIT 222, and are at least 20 years of age. This ensures proper timing for flight students between when they complete AVIT 380/AVIT 478 and take the dispatch knowledge exams. The FAA requires a person to be at least 21 years of age to take the aircraft dispatcher knowledge test.

Frequently Asked Questions

What courses are required?

All students must complete a mandatory 200 hours of instruction to obtain their certification. This requirement is met through the completion of the following courses:

• AVIT 102, AVIT 220,^* and AVIT 222 ground schools
• AVIT 103
• AVIT 324 (flying students) OR AVIT 328 (non-flying students)
• ATSC 110 and ATSC 231 
• AVIT 380 and AVIT 478

These courses must be completed with a "C" grade or higher.

When can I take the dispatch-specific classes?

There are a few conditions that must be met to ensure students are ready and qualified to take the dispatch exams:

1. The FAA requires a person to be at least 21 years of age to take the aircraft dispatcher knowledge test. As such, UND students should plan to take AVIT 380 and AVIT 478 in the same year (or after) they will turn 21.
2. AVIT 380 is only offered in the fall semester, and AVIT 478 is only offered in the spring semester. Students must plan accordingly.
3. The required courses (see above) must be completed with a "C" grade or higher to be eligible for AVIT 380.

2026-27 Dispatch Course Schedule

Do students have to fly in order to complete this program?

No, flying is not required. Students declared in a non-flying Aviation major will not need to conduct any flying for the Dispatch Specialization. See the eligibility section above.

What is the age requirement?

Students must be at least 21 years of age to take the aircraft dispatcher knowledge test, per the FAA. As such, UND students should plan to take AVIT 380 and AVIT 478 in the same year (or after) they will turn 21.

Will I earn my dispatch certification at the end of AVIT 478?

Completion of AVIT 380 and AVIT 478 allows a student to be eligible to take the dispatch practical exam. Taking the courses alone does not earn you a dispatch certificate. The student will need to take the FAA written and oral exam to receive their certificate.

How much does the dispatch exam cost?

It depends. There is some variability based on the examiner. In general, students should budget around $1000 to take the practical, but please keep in mind this is an estimate.

If a student goes through the program and decides not to take the practical exam, will they earn a grade?

Yes. A student's grades in AVIT 380 and AVIT 478 are not tied to the completion of the dispatch practical exam. However, students applying for the dispatch program should have the intention of testing.

How does attendance work?

Students must have a 100% attendance record to complete the dispatch-specific courses. As noted previously, a certain amount of contact time is required, so it is imperative for students to attend each class.

 

^* AVIT 221 can satisfy the AVIT 220 requirement if it was taken under a previous catalog