Vaughn College, in collaboration with FlightSafety International, is offering a flight dispatch program in which students earn 12 credits and qualify to sit for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Aircraft Dispatch certificate. The 12 credits can be applied towards Vaughn's bachelor of science degrees in flight operations, airport management and general management.

Performing one of aviation's most important roles, aircraft dispatchers share with pilots the ultimate responsibility for a flight's commencement and completion. To prepare individuals to fill these important positions, this specialized course of study provides thorough training that includes preparation for FAA examinations. Initial training consists of 240 hours of full-time study over a six-week period. Students can also pursue this training over a 12-week part-time course of study. An aviation background is helpful but not a requirement for initial training. Seating is limited in this program.

Course Content

Initial training covers the following topics:

• FAA regulations
• Meteorology
• Navigation
• Aerodynamics
• Aircraft specifics
• Communication
• Air traffic control
• Emergency and abnormal procedures
• Practical dispatch applications
• Dispatch resource management

Initial training culminates in a two-hour observation session in a full-motion, level "C" or "D" flight simulator. This experience enhances the student's understanding of crew in-flight decisions in the event of equipment malfunctions, abnormal procedures, emergencies, diversions and low weather-situations that the crew and the dispatcher have to discuss together.

Founded in 1951, FlightSafety International provides training services to more than 75,000 pilots, technicians, flight attendants and dispatchers for private, corporate, commercial and military aviation.

Enrollment Requirements

Students enroll in four successive flight dispatch courses:

• FLT 441 - a comprehensive study of federal regulations (FAR's),
• FLT 442 - aviation weather as it applies to flight dispatchers,
• FLT 443 -aircraft performance and aerodynamics,
• FLT 444 - aircraft navigation and practical dispatching -to meet FAA certification requirements.

Credits granted for these four courses can then be used in the follow degree programs as follows:

BS in Flight Operations -	three technical electives
	one math/science elective
BS in Airport Management -	course CDE120 - engineering graphics and
	computer-aided design (three credits) plus
	one management elective (three credits) and
	one technical elective (three credits)
	one math/science elective (three credits)
BS in General Management -	three open electives (9 credits)
	one math/science elective (three credits)

According to FAA regulations, to be eligible as a flight dispatcher, you must be:

• At least 21 years of age to take the aircraft dispatcher knowledge test
• At least 23 years of age to take the aircraft dispatcher certificate exam
• Fluent in reading, speaking and writing in the English language

International students must have a valid M-1 or F-1 visa and legal status in the US. A background in aviation subjects or related fields is helpful, but not required.

Class Location and Registration

Classes are held at FlightSafety's facility at the Marine Air Terminal at LaGuardia Airport, New York. The program is slated to begin Monday, September 24, 2007. Students may choose either a morning class (8 a. m. to 12 noon) or one in the afternoon (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.). However, they must remain in the session chosen for the entire 12-week semester or six-week summer session.

Registration is limited to 15 students and classes are in demand. To be accepted into the program, a student has to have completed 36 credits with Vaughn College and be enrolled in one of the three bachelor programs listed above.

Costs

Students who enroll in the program will be charged the full-time semester tuition plus fees. If the student chooses to take courses beyond full-time (more than 18 credits), then an overload fee of $4,500 will apply. Students who enroll in the six-week summer session will not be allowed to enroll in additional Vaughn courses.

For further information, contact Domenic Proscia, chair of Vaughn's Aviation Department at 718.429.6600, extension 139 or e-mail at domenic.proscia@vaughn.edu. You can also e-mail FlightSafety International at dispatch.lga@flightsafety.com.