Big 5
What weather conditions are required to dispatch IFR to a destination?
The weather at the destination must be at or above authorized landing minimums at the ETA.
What are characteristics of a cold front?
Good visibility, fast moving fronts might contain supercell thunderstorms, cloud heights are high, high winds may precede and follow frontal passage
What are the upper and lower altitude limits of Jet Routes?
18,000' MSL up to and including FL450
What is the main purpose of ATC?
To prevent collisions between aircraft
What is operational control?
The exercise of authority over initiating, conducting, and terminating a flight.
When is a second destination alternate required?
A second alternate is required when the weather forecast for the destination and first alternate are marginal.
What are characteristics of a warm front?
Reduced visibility, slow moving, winds are light, low cloud heights, icing conditions ahead of warm front in winter.
What is the definition of night?
The end of evening civil twilight to the beginning of morning civil twilight.
What is a GDP?
Ground Delay Program
Where aircraft are delayed at their departure airport in or to manage demand capacity at their arrival airport.
What makes an airport suitable for diversion?
WANT CAT
Weather, Aircraft configuration, NOTAMs, Terrain, Crew familiarity, Aircraft altitude, weight and useable fuel, Traffic
What is required to list an alternate in the dispatch release?
An alternate may not be listed in the dispatch release unless the weather will be at or above alternate weather minimums at the ETA at the alternate.
What are the 2 primary forces that affect global winds? Explain each.
-Pressure Gradient Force - force driving winds from higher to lower pressure
-Coriolis Force - Deflection force of winds due to the earth's rotation
What are the 3 VOR classes with their standard service volumes and (typical ranges and altitude.)
High 130NM 18,000' to FL450
Low 40NM 1,000' to 18,000'
Terminal 25NM 1,000' to 12,000'
What is a SERMN route and what is it used for?
SWAP Escape Route Metro New York
SERMN route is a low altitude route used primarily in New York area to avoid delays at busy airports and ATC facilities. Normally restricted to FL100 for JETS.
Name the responsibilities of an aircraft dispatcher
Preflight Planning, Delay the flight, sign the dispatch release
Monitor the flight, Issue significant information to PIC, Cancel, Redispatch or Amend
When is a destination alternate required?
1,2,3 Rule
Always, unless the weather at the destination from one hour before to one hour after the ETA will be at or above ceiling 2,000 feet and visibility 3 sm.
Name the 5 effects of icing on an aircraft?
-Increased Stall Speed
-Increased Drag
-Increased Weight
-Decreased Lift
-Decreased Thrust
What is the difference between Q routes and Jet routes?
Q routes are RNAV routes while Jet routes use VORs.
What is a TRACON?
Provides radar service to aircraft arriving and departing an airport.
Explain Dispatcher Operating Familiarization Training (Jumpseat Familiarization)
Within the preceding 12 calendar months, a dispatcher must complete 5 hours of observation from the flight deck in one of the the types in each group to be dispatched. Time can be reduced by 1 hour for after each additional takeoff and landing to a minimum of 2 1/2 hours. 5 hours in a simulator can be used to meet requirements but can't be reduced.
When is a takeoff alternate required? For a 2-engine aircraft, what are the conditions and distance limitations from departure to a takeoff alternate?
A takeoff alternate is required when the weather at the departure airport is below landing minimums at ETD.
Not more than 1 hour at normal cruise, in still air, with 1 engine INOP.
What is a ceiling?
Height above the earth's surface of the lowest cloud layer classified as broken or overcast, or vertical visibility into a surface based total obscuration.
What equipment is required for an aircraft to enter RVSM airspace?
-Auto Pilot
-Air Data Computer (ADC) 1 & 2
-One altitude reporting transponder
-Altitude alerting system
What is ADIZ?
Air Defense Identification Zone
An area of airspace over land or water in which the ready identification, location, and control of all aircraft is required in the interest of national security.
Driftdown Method 1 and 2
Method 1 Plan at a weight assuming an engine failure anywhere from V1 to destination, the aircraft can maintain at least 1,000' of obstacle clearance within 5sm either side of intended route and maintain a positive slope at 1,500' above the airport of intended landing.
Method 2 Plan at a weight assuming an engine failure anywhere from top of climb, the aircraft can maintain at least 2,000' of obstacle clearance within 5sm either side of intended route and maintain a positive slope at 1,500' above the airport of intended landing.