vendredi 10 juin 2022

A DAY IN THE SHOES OF A FLIGHT DISPATCHER

Elisa MESTRE

Introduction

Do you know the profession of flight dispatcher?

It is essential in the world of aeronautics. To enlighten you on the subject, let me begin by introducing you to the profession.

The flight dispatcher is a flight preparer, who is responsible for flight and air traffic management. It coordinates and controls stopover operations. It is essential for aviation safety as well as for the safety of the services.

I will begin by introducing you to the flight dispatcher trade by talking to you about the missions, the education and skills required, as well as the salary and opportunities for change.

Finally, I would like to talk to you about the occupational risks that can be encountered by practicing this profession, in particular musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), psychosocial risks including stress and burn-out.

Missions

The Flight Dispatcher has a multitude of missions that he has to perform.

He prepares the flight plan files and then creates the flight plans based on different parameters and sends them to the crews.

The Flight Dispatcher must therefore analyze the weather as well as NOTAM (NOtice To AirMEN). This includes information on work or equipment at airports or technical problems.

He is also responsible for communication with airports and managing the schedules of crews and ramp agents. The crew includes the pilot and first officer, ramp agents guide the plane at take-off and landing.

It arranges for the aircraft to stop between landing and take-off, it must plan the loading, manage the fret and unloading of the aircraft, enforce the hygiene plan and ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

In the event of a dysfunction, corrective measures must be implemented.

The latter uses specific software to carry out its missions.

Example of flight plan

Level of qualifications and skills required

To become a flight operations officer, you must have at least A-level and have completed training.

It is possible to integrate the ESMA (Ecole Supérieure des Métiers de l’Aéronautique), available on file. It’s a training that lasts 15 weeks and helps acquire the basics of the trade. Tuition fees are approximately €4,500.

It is also possible to integrate the ENAC (Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile) more advanced. To do this, you must hold at least un-A-level scientist or equivalence. Moreover, you must be selected on file, pass tests and pass an interview. this training lasts 11 weeks including a minimum of 4 weeks of training with an airline. The cost of the training is €3,900.

Then, created in 2013, Horizons Academy training centers also provide training for flight operations officers. the preconditions are A-level or a first professional experience, have a driver’s license and be over 18.
As in the schools mentioned above, admissions are on file. This is a theoretical training of 5 weeks and a professional internship of 4 weeks. The cost of this training is approximately 2,300€.
It is also necessary to have a good level of English to perform this trade.

Salary

The salary for a beginner is about €1,500 gross. This amount will gradually increase depending on the experience acquired and the company. It can vary between €1,500 and €3,000.

The possibilities of evolution

With experience, it is possible to apply for a position as a supervisor or a technical trainer if that person has the soul of an educator.

The most courageous and ambitious will try to reach a position within the management in operations or logistics.

The MSDs

This is an office job where the main tool is the computer.

Due to awkward postures and repetitive movements, the Flight Dispatcher is exposed to the risk of MSDs. MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders) are diseases that occur at the joint level. The work on the screen mainly affects the wrists, the lumbar spine, the shoulders and the neck.

Indeed, screen work is characterized by a static sitting posture and the repetitive movements of the fingers to type on the keyboard and click on the mouse.

The most common MSDs related to screen work are: low back pain, tendonitis, neuralgia, carpal tunnel syndrome.

There are solutions to prevent MSDs such as gestures and postures training, equipment such as ergonomic mice and office seats.

Psychosocial risks

It is a difficult job psychologically because it is regularly subjected to stress and crisis situations that cause fatigue. You have to make the right decisions as quickly as possible. It is therefore subject to psychosocial risks (RPS), including stress. In addition, staggered hours (3 x 8, night work, weekend work) promote this risk.

Burn out

In the worst case, stress can lead to burn out. It can be a consequence of stress contaminant and consequent. It can be defined as burnout. Under certain conditions, it can be recognized as an occupational disease.