Originally Posted by Twin Wasp

The requirements for the dispatcher certificate are in 65.57. Two years experience as a military or 121 pilot or oddly enough in this case, a meteorologist or ATC or FSS. Without that background you have to complete an approved training program. There are 49 approved schools - http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...dia/part65.pdf

The only program I know is 6 weeks if you have no aviation background and 2 weeks if you hold a commercial IFR. The written is about the same as the old ATP with a couple questions on dispatcher duty time (10 hours). Back when writtens were free many people took the dispatcher written to practice for the ATP. Bored one day I called the FSDO to set up a dispatcher practical. Showed up a few days later and they handed me a 727 AFM, some charts, a weather package and a list of questions. Told me to work up a flight plan DFW to LAS and left me alone for 2 hours. The questions were like "What will the fuel burn be between ABQ and GUP?" When the Fed came back we went over the questions on the flight plan and they had more questions about regs and weather. Never have used it but figure it could be a fall back if I lose the medical.