The Flight Dispatcher (also Flight Operations Officer) in airline operations has great authority over flights. A Boeing 747-400 belonging to Virgin Atlantic Airways, one of the UKs largest airlines. ...

In many countries, e.g. the USA and Canada, he shares legal resposibility with the Commander (joint responsibility dispatch system).

Dispatchers usually have the authority to divert, delay or cancel a flight at any given time (operational control). In the USA 14 CFR PART 121—OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: DOMESTIC, FLAG, AND SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONS Subpart U—Dispatching and Flight Release Rulesdetails the legal requirements governing dispatch release in the USA. After the release of a flight (in a joint responsibility environment) the dispatcher uses sophisticated software tools to monitor the flight's progress and advises the flight crew of any circumstances that might affect flight safety.

Shared resposibility adds a layer of checks and balances to aircraft operation and greatly improves safety. The doctrine and practice of dispersing political power and creating mutual accountability between political entities such as the courts, the president or prime minister, the legislature, and the citizens. ...

Licensed flight dispatchers usually have to demonstrate extensive aviation knowledge comparable to that of Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) holders. The Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL or ATP) is the highest level of aircraft pilot certification. ...

Many countries issue licenses which are based on ICAO Annex 1 and 6 as well as ICAO DOC 7192 D3. Unfortunately not all countries have adopted a mandatory license and joint responsibility/flight watch operational control systems. The FAA has mandated the use of flight dispatchers/joint responsibility/flight watch since the "Civil Aeronautic Act" was passed in 1938. Canada has adopted a similar approach in the wake of a plane crash in Dryden, Ontario in 1989. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations, develops the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. ... The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations, develops the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. ... FAA may refer to: Federal Aviation Administration in the United States Fleet Air Arm in the UK Royal Navy Fuerza Aérea Argentina in Argentina This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Due to several more accidents the FAA is lobbying for tighter regulations from the ICAO.[1] FAA may refer to: Federal Aviation Administration in the United States Fleet Air Arm in the UK Royal Navy Fuerza Aérea Argentina in Argentina This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations, develops the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. ...

JAR OPS 1 did not mandate the use of an operational control system with flight dispatchers/joint responsibility/flight watch. The pan-European agency EASA has not yet issued a requirement mandating the use of such an operational control system either. It is expected that EASA OPS and EASA FCL will be published in 2006 which will outline EASA's position on the issue as well as any requirements imposed on European airline operators. The Joint Aviation Authorities, or JAA, is the predominant regulatory body for aviation in Europe. ... European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is an agency of the European Union which has been given specific regulatory and executive tasks in the field of aviation safety. ... European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is an agency of the European Union which has been given specific regulatory and executive tasks in the field of aviation safety. ... European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is an agency of the European Union which has been given specific regulatory and executive tasks in the field of aviation safety. ... European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is an agency of the European Union which has been given specific regulatory and executive tasks in the field of aviation safety. ...

Links

• International Federation of Air Line Dispatchers’ Associations
• European Federation of Air Line Dispatchers’ Associations
• Airline Dispatchers Federation