U.
S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular Subject: FAA-Approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses Date: 2/3/22 AC No: 65-34A Initiated by: AFS-200 Change:
This advisory circular (AC) provides standards and guidelines for obtaining approval of and for operating Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses, which are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 65 subpart C. This AC also provides information that could be useful for individuals seeking FAA certification as an aircraft dispatcher. This guidance is not legally binding in its own right and will not be relied upon by the FAA as a separate basis for affirmative enforcement action or other administrative penalty. Conformity with the guidance is voluntary only, and nonconformity will not affect rights and obligations under existing statutes and regulations.
Robe rt C. Carty Acting Executive Director, Flight Standards Service
CONTENTS Paragraph Page
1. Purpose of This Advisory Circular (AC)1
2. Audience1
3. Where You Can Find This AC1
4. What This AC Cancels1
5. Regulatory Foundation for This AC1
6. Terminology Used in This AC1
7. Background1
8. The Purpose of an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course3
9. General Eligibility Requirements for Certification as an Aircraft Dispatcher3
10. Applicants for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate Who Meet All of the
Eligibility Requirements4
11. Applicants for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate Who Are Under the Age of 235
12. Part 65 Requirements That Apply to Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses6
13. Course Operator Application Requirements6
14. The TCO9
15. Instructors10
16. Training Facilities12
17. Equipment and Materials13
18. Guidelines for Granting Credit for Previous Experience or Training14
19. Distance Learning16
20. Regulatory Foundation for Computer-Based Training17
21. Standards for Computer-Based Training Provided Outside of the
Classroom Environment17
22. Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses Embedded in Collegiate Programs20
23. Course Operator Recordkeeping Requirement21
24. FAA Approval21
25. Denial of Approval23
26. Course Operator Initiated Cancellation of Approval23
27. Withdrawal of FAA Approval23
28. Change in Ownership, Name, or Location23
29. Questions About This AC24
30. Regulatory References24
31. Related Reading Material (current editions)24
32. AC Feedback Form24
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1. PURPOSE OF THIS ADVISORY CIRCULAR (AC). This AC provides standards and guidelines for obtaining approval of and for operating Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses, which are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 65 subpart C. This AC also provides information that could be useful for individuals seeking FAA certification as an aircraft dispatcher. This guidance is not legally binding in its own right and will not be relied upon by the FAA as a separate basis for affirmative enforcement action or other administrative penalty.
Conformity with the guidance is voluntary only, and nonconformity will not affect rights and obligations under existing statutes and regulations.
2. AUDIENCE. The primary audience for this AC includes persons seeking approval to operate a part 65 Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course and individuals seeking FAA certification as an aircraft dispatcher. The secondary audience includes FAA Flight Standards Service (FS) offices, in particular certificate management offices (CMO) and aviation safety inspectors (ASI) assigned oversight and management of FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses.
3. WHERE YOU CAN FIND THIS AC. You can find this AC on the FAA’s website at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars and the Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) at https://drs.faa.gov.
4. WHAT THIS AC CANCELS. AC 65-34, FAA-Approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses, dated October 11, 2017, is canceled.
5. REGULATORY FOUNDATION FOR THIS AC.
a. Statutory Authority to Prescribe Standards. The FAA’s statutory authority for promoting safety by prescribing regulations and minimum standards is contained in Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) § 44701.
b. Regulatory Requirements of Part 65, Including Appendix A. The standards set forth in this AC are based on the regulatory requirements of part 65 subparts A and C, and appendix A.
6. TERMINOLOGY USED IN THIS AC.
a. Approving Office. The FS office that approves and manages an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course will be referred to as the approving office.
b. Dispatch Course Program Manager (DCPM). The individual within the FAA who is assigned the duties associated with the approval and management of an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course will be referred to as the DCPM. Course management includes approval (initial and/or renewal) as well as ongoing oversight.
7. BACKGROUND.
a. Regulatory History. In July of 1940, the regulations governing the requirements for the issuance of Aircraft Dispatcher Certificates where established in the Civil Air Regulations
Par 7 Page 2 (CAR) part 27, Aircraft Dispatcher Certificates. At that time, CAR part 27 defined an aircraft dispatcher as “An individual holding a valid aircraft dispatcher certificate issued by the Administrator who exercises responsibility with the pilot in command in the operational control of each flight.” In August of 1962, 14 CFR part 65 was codified to set forth the rules pertaining to the certification of airmen other than flightcrew members. CAR part 27 was removed and the regulations applicable to the certification of aircraft dispatchers were moved to Part 65 Subpart C, Aircraft Dispatchers. Since the establishment of part 65 in 1962, the regulations pertaining to the certification of aircraft dispatchers have been amended once, in December 1999. The final rule, Revision of Certification Requirements: Aircraft Dispatchers, 64 FR 68916 (December 8, 1999), is contained in public docket number FAA-1998-4553, which can be accessed at https://www.regulations.gov.
b. The Role of a Certificated Aircraft Dispatcher. In accordance with part 65, § 65.51, a person acts as an aircraft dispatcher by exercising responsibility with the pilot in command (PIC) in the operational control of a civil aircraft involved in air commerce. Title 14 CFR part 121 contains requirements that apply to operational control and the use of certificated aircraft dispatchers. In particular, part 121, §§ 121.395, 121.593, and 121.595 require FAA-certificated aircraft dispatchers for U.S. air carriers who conduct part 121 domestic and/or flag operations.
No other regulatory part contains this requirement. Therefore, only a person who is employed by a U.S. air carrier and exercising responsibility with the PIC in the operational control of that carrier’s part 121 domestic and/or flag flights is actually performing the role of an aircraft dispatcher.
(1) Dispatching Authority. Every day thousands of flights are operated by U.S. air carriers, both within the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) and throughout the world. For U.S. carriers conducting part 121 domestic and flag operations, these flights may not start unless an aircraft dispatcher specifically authorizes the flights. This is referred to as dispatching authority and is mandated by §§ 121.593 and 121.595.
(2) Operational Control. In accordance with 14 CFR part 1, § 1.1, operational control, with respect to a flight, means “the exercise of authority over initiating, conducting or terminating a flight.” In part 121 domestic and flag operations, as set forth in §§ 121.533 and 121.535, operational control is a responsibility shared by the aircraft dispatcher and the PIC.
In accordance with these rules, every part 121 domestic and flag flight is planned, released, and monitored by a certificated aircraft dispatcher. Unlike the PIC, who has final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of the flight they are operating at any given moment, the aircraft dispatcher is typically responsible for multiple flights simultaneously and is sharing operational control responsibility for each of those flights together with the PIC. Aircraft dispatchers are often performing preflight planning duties while monitoring multiple flights that are en route.
(3) Safety of Flight. Part 121 subparts T and U contain the majority of the regulations that set forth the primary duties and responsibilities of an aircraft dispatcher. These duties and responsibilities directly affect the safety of flight. In addition to dispatching authority and the joint responsibility for operational control discussed earlier in this AC, some other significant aircraft dispatcher duties and responsibilities are listed below:
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(a) Emergency authority (§ 121.557).
(b) Becoming thoroughly familiar with weather conditions prior to releasing a flight (§ 121.599).
(c) Providing the PIC with information affecting the safety of flight (§ 121.601).
(d) Dispatch release and attesting to the belief that a flight can be made with safety (§ 121.663).
8. THE PURPOSE OF AN AIRCRAFT DISPATCHER CERTIFICATION COURSE.
Section 65.57 sets forth the experience or training requirements an applicant must meet to qualify for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate. The purpose of an FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course is to provide the applicant with the necessary training to meet the requirements of § 65.57(b), when an applicant lacks the aeronautical experience required by § 65.57(a).
9. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION AS AN AIRCRAFT DISPATCHER. Individuals seeking an FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate must meet the eligibility requirements of part 65 subpart C. Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course operators should verify that students meet these requirements. In accordance with § 65.53(b), the eligibility requirements for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate are as follows:
a. Minimum Age. To be eligible for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate, a person must be at least 23 years of age.
b. English Language Requirement. To be eligible for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate, a person must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. The current edition of AC 60-28, FAA English Language Standard for an FAA Certificate Issued Under 14 CFR Parts 61, 63, 65, and 107, contains guidance related to English language skills for aircraft dispatchers certificated under part 65.
c. Pass the Aircraft Dispatcher Knowledge Test (ADX Knowledge Test). To be eligible for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate, a person must pass the ADX Knowledge Test as outlined in § 65.55. The ADX Knowledge Test is a computerized test. The test is administered at an Airman Knowledge Testing (AKT) center. Information related to AKT centers can be found on the FAA’s official website at www.faa.gov, under “Training & Testing” in the “Pilots & Airmen” tab. To access the information, select “Airman Testing.” Once on the Airman Testing page, click on the link for “Knowledge Testing.” Upon completion of the ADX Knowledge Test, a person will be issued an official Airman Knowledge Test Report by the AKT center.
(1) Section 65.53(a) requires a person to be at least 21 years of age to take the ADX Knowledge Test.
(2) Section 65.55(b) requires an applicant for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate to present documentary evidence satisfactory to the Administrator of having passed the ADX Knowledge Test within the preceding 24 calendar-months.
Par 9 Page 4 NOTE: Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 100-2 provides relief for those eligible U.S. military and civilian personnel to present an expired written test to show eligibility to take the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test required under part 65 for up to 6 calendar-months after returning to the United States or the termination of SFAR 100-2, whichever is earlier.
d. Pass the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test. To be eligible for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate, a person must pass the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test, as required by § 65.59. The practical test is administered either by an Aviation Safety Inspector—Aircraft Dispatch (ASI-AD) or a Designated Aircraft Dispatcher Examiner (DADE). The Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test will be based on any one type of large aircraft used in air carrier operations. To pass the practical test, the applicant must demonstrate skill in applying the areas of knowledge and topics specified in part 65 appendix A to preflight, as well as all phases of flight, including abnormal and emergency procedures.
e. Meet the Experience or Training Requirements. An applicant for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate must meet the experience of § 65.57(a) or the training requirements of § 65.57(b). The training requirements of § 65.57(b) are met upon graduation from an FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course. In accordance with § 65.70(b), a graduation certificate from an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course is valid for 90 days from course completion. The validity of a graduation certificate may be extended for up to an additional 90 days, provided the course operator is able to determine that the applicant remains proficient in the subject areas listed in part 65 appendix A.
f. Meet the Skill Requirements. The skill requirements for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate are met when an applicant for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate passes the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test required by § 65.59.
NOTE: A U.S. Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate cannot be issued on the basis of a foreign certificate or license. This is because there is no provision in part 65 subpart C that allows for the issuance of a U.S. Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate based on a certificate or license issued by a foreign State. A provision of this nature does exist in other regulatory parts such as 14 CFR parts 61 and 63 (refer to §§ 61.75 and 63.42), but not in part 65.
10. APPLICANTS FOR AN AIRCRAFT DISPATCHER CERTIFICATE WHO MEET ALL OF THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. An applicant who passes the ADX Knowledge Test and the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test and meets all of the other eligibility requirements of § 65.53(b) is entitled to an FAA-issued Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate. In accordance with § 65.13, the FAA will issue a temporary Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate to an applicant who presents satisfactory documentation of eligibility and appropriate identification.
Appropriate identification contains information to ensure an applicant’s identity and eligibility to obtain the requisite certificate. Therefore, such identification must demonstrate the applicant’s identity and age by including the applicant’s name, photograph, date of birth, and signature.
Acceptable forms of identification include the following: driver’s license issued by a U.S. state or territory, U.S. government identification card, U.S. military identification card, or passport or alien residency card.
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11. APPLICANTS FOR AN AIRCRAFT DISPATCHER CERTIFICATE WHO ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 23. As previously stated in this AC, to be eligible for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate, a person must be at least 23 years of age, although a person could be as young as 21 years of age when taking the ADX Knowledge Test. An applicant who is at least 21 years of age and who has passed the ADX Knowledge Test may take the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test. However, due to the minimum age requirement for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate, applicants who take a practical test prior to reaching 23 years of age are not entitled to the certificate itself. When an applicant under the age of 23 passes the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test, the FAA will issue a Letter of Aeronautical Competency, not a Temporary Airman Certificate.
a. A Letter of Aeronautical Competency Is Not an FAA-Issued Certificate. A Letter of Aeronautical Competency is not an FAA-issued certificate and there are no regulatory privileges or authority associated with such a letter. The Letter of Aeronautical Competency is simply a written confirmation issued by the FAA that an applicant who is under the age of 23 has passed the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test. A person in possession of a Letter of Aeronautical Competency does not qualify for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate until reaching their 23rd birthday. Upon reaching that age, the applicant may present the letter to the FAA in order to be issued a Temporary Airman Certificate.
b. A Letter of Aeronautical Competency Does Not Automatically Convert to a Certificate Upon the Applicant’s 23rd Birthday. The FAA does not actively monitor the birth dates of each applicant who possesses a Letter of Aeronautical Competency; therefore, the issuance of an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate in exchange for a Letter of Aeronautical Competency is not an automatic process.
c. The Applicant Must Present the Letter of Aeronautical Competency to an FAA FS Office. The FAA FS office will issue a temporary Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate to an applicant with a Letter of Aeronautical Competency who has reached their 23rd birthday when the applicant presents that letter to an FS office, along with the appropriate identification to allow the FAA to positively identify the individual. Appropriate identification is discussed in paragraph 10 above. Upon positive identification and validation of the Letter of Aeronautical Competency, the FAA will issue a Temporary Airman Certificate. Upon reaching 23 years of age, a person should exchange the Letter of Aeronautical Competency for a Temporary Airman Certificate as soon as possible. A Letter of Aeronautical Competency does not expire. However, to ensure an expeditious and uncomplicated exchange, a person should plan to present the letter to the FAA to make the exchange within a year after reaching the age of 23.
d. Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course Operator Should Inform Students. Course operators should inform students who are under the age of 23 that they are not entitled to an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate until they reach 23 years of age. Course operators should also inform students who intend to take the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test prior to reaching their 23rd birthday that they will not be issued a Temporary Airman Certificate upon passing that test.
Course operators should explain the procedure for exchanging a Letter of Aeronautical Competency for a Temporary Airman Certificate, outlined in subparagraph c above.
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12. PART 65 REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO AIRCRAFT DISPATCHER CERTIFICATION COURSES. The regulatory requirements that apply to Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses are set forth in §§ 65.61 through 65.70 and part 65 appendix A. Course operators must also comply with the applicable requirements of part 65 subpart A.
13. COURSE OPERATOR APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS. Application requirements for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course are set forth in §§ 65.61 and 65.63. The FAA approves each course individually. The application package, including all course documents, should be submitted to the FAA in hard copy format. The submission of electronic documents may also be acceptable, provided it is mutually agreed upon by the FAA approving office and the course applicant/operator. If using electronic course manuals and recordkeeping systems, operators should refer to the standards of the current edition of AC 120-78, Electronic Signatures, Electronic Recordkeeping, and Electronic Manuals.
a. Application for Original FAA Approval to Operate an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course.
(1) Where to Apply. An applicant seeking an original FAA approval to operate an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course should contact the nearest FS CMO located within the geographic area of the desired course location. Currently, only CMOs are staffed with the necessary technical resources to review an application and approve and manage this type of course. It is important to note that an FS office, including a CMO, is prohibited from accepting an application for original approval of an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course if the office does not have the appropriate technical resources. If a CMO is not staffed to review, approve, and manage an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course, the applicant should apply at the next nearest CMO. Potential and existing Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course operators should review FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 3, Chapter 63, Section 2, Approving Office Responsibilities and Assignment of Appropriate Technical Resources, for a better understanding of the FAA’s policies related to resources and staffing where Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses are concerned. A listing of CMOs is available on the FAA’s website at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/cmo/.
(2) Application and Approval Process Completion Time. Applicants should expect the application and approval process to take no less than 90 days from the date a course applicant submits its application to complete the original approval process for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course. Application packages should be thorough and complete. If the application is deficient in any way, the overall application and approval process could take considerably longer, depending on the extent of the deficiencies.
b. Application for Renewal of FAA Approval.
(1) Submit an Application for Renewal to the Approving Office. In line with the requirements set forth in § 65.63, existing course operators must submit an application for renewal of FAA approval to the approving office. Section 65.63(c) requires an application for course renewal to be made within 30 days preceding the month the approval expires. The application for renewal must meet all of the requirements of original approval in accordance with § 65.63(a). Renewal of FAA approval will be contingent upon a course operator’s ability to meet
Par 13 Page 7 the requirements prescribed in § 65.63(c), which includes minimum student passing requirements and continued compliance with part 65 subpart C.
(2) Application and Approval Process Completion Time. For the purposes of this AC, the 30-day time period preceding the month FAA approval expires is referred to as the renewal window. The intent of the 30-day renewal window is to allow the FAA time to review a course operator’s performance and continued qualification for course approval. The approving office, through the DCPM, may conduct regular inspections for the purpose of determining continued qualification and regulatory compliance, in accordance with the Administrator’s statutory authority to conduct safety investigations under 49 U.S.C. § 40113. During the renewal window, the DCPM may review inspection history along with the application package submitted by the course operator.
c. Contents of an Application Package for Original Approval and Renewal.
(1) Application. Section 65.63 requires an application for original approval or renewal of approval to be made in writing to the Administrator. New course applicants and existing course operators should submit their request for approval via a letter of intent addressed to the manager of the potential or actual approving office (depending on whether the application is for original or renewed approval).
(a) Original Approval. Submit a written request to operate a new Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course via a letter of intent. The request should include at least the following information:
• The proposed name of the course operator;
• The proposed location of the course training facility;
• The name(s), address, telephone number, and email address of the owner(s) of the course; and
• The proposed date the applicant desires to begin conducting the course.
(b) Renewal of Approval. Submit a written request to renew the course approval.
The request should include at least the following information:
• The name of the course operator;
• The location of the course training facility;
• The name(s), address, telephone number, and email address of the owner(s) of the course; and
• If the renewal contains any revised material, the revision number and the date on which the revision becomes effective.
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(2) Items Required by § 65.63. Section 65.63 requires all application packages for original approval and renewal to contain:
• Two copies of the certification course outline (referred to as the TCO in this AC) required under § 65.61(b);
• A description of the training facility and equipment; and
• A list of instructors and their qualifications.
(3) Instructional Materials (Courseware). The application package should include the courseware and instructional material developed by the course operator for each subject, topic, and subtopic.
(4) Sample Written Statement of Graduation.
(a) The application package should include a sample of the written statement of graduation (graduation certificate) the course operator will use. The statement of graduation is required by § 65.70(b).
1. The graduation certificate should include a place for an authorized representative of the course operator to attest to (i.e., via signature) the successful completion of the course by the student to whom the graduation certificate is issued.
2. A graduation certificate is valid for 90 days and may be revalidated for an additional 90 days, as allowed by § 65.70(b). Therefore, the statement of graduation must include the date on which it was issued to the student.
(b) Revalidation criteria. Section 65.70(b) allows an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course operator to revalidate a graduation certificate after 90 days, for an additional 90 days, if the course operator determines that the student remains proficient in the subject areas listed in part 65 appendix A. The application package should include the revalidation methods the course operator will use to ensure such student proficiency (e.g., a test). The methods utilized by the course operator must be comprehensive enough to allow the course operator to reasonably establish that the student has in fact remained proficient in all subject areas listed in part 65 appendix A.
(5) Criteria and Methods for Providing Student Credit for Previous Experience or Training. If a new course applicant or current course operator intends to provide its students with credit for previous experience or training as allowed by § 65.61(d), the application package should also include the proposed criteria for granting credit, along with method(s) of evaluating a student to determine if credit is warranted. The preferred method of including these criteria is to have them be part of the TCO. However, including the criteria as a separate item within the application package is also acceptable.
(6) Recordkeeping and Reporting Methods.
(a) The application package should contain a description of the recordkeeping system used to maintain the student records required by § 65.70. If using an electronic method of recordkeeping, operators should refer to the standards of the current edition of AC 120-78.
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(b) The application package should contain a description of the method the new course applicant or current course operator intends to use to transmit the annual report required by § 65.70(a) to be submitted to the approving office no later than January 31 of each year.
d. Application for Approval of a Course Revision.
(1) Submit an Application for Approval of a Course Revision to the Approving Office. Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course operators seeking approval of a revision to the TCO, facilities, or equipment must make a request in writing to the approving office in accordance with § 65.63(a) and (d). Proposed revisions of the course outline or the description of facilities and equipment must be submitted in a format that will allow an entire page or pages of the approved outline or description to be removed and replaced by any approved revision. The list of instructors may be revised at any time without request for approval, provided the minimum requirements of § 65.67 are maintained and the course operator notifies the approving office in writing.
(2) Application and Approval Process Completion Time. The time it takes for the DCPM to review the course revision and coordinate approval with the approving office manager will vary depending upon the extent of the revision. Course operators should expect a revision processing time to be no less than 30 days.
(3) Contents of an Application Package for Approval of a Course Revision. An application package for approval of a course revision must include the following:
(a) A written request for approval of the course revision. The request should include the following:
• The name of the course operator;
• The name(s), address, telephone number, and email address of the owner(s) of the course; and
• The revision number and the date on which the revision becomes effective.
(b) For a revision to the TCO, two copies of the revised TCO.
(c) For a revision that applies to the approved facility, a description of the changes in the facility, or if adding or removing a facility, the location of the new facility.
(d) For a revision that applies to the course equipment, a description of the changes to that equipment.
14. THE TCO. Section 65.61(b) requires an FAA-approved TCO to describe the major topics and subtopics of the course and provide the number of proposed hours for each topic and subtopic. In addition to these requirements, each TCO should include the following elements:
a. List of Effective Pages (LEP). Each TCO should include an LEP that reflects the current date and revision number of each page contained in the TCO.
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b. Methods of Instruction. A TCO should include a description of the methods of instruction the course operator will use. Instructional methods include, but are not limited to:
• Lecture,
• Computer-based training,
• Discussion,
• Scenario-based training, and
• Demonstration performance.
c. Student Evaluation Methods. The TCO should include a description of the course operator’s student evaluation methods. The methods should provide an adequate means of assessing and documenting an individual’s cognitive skills and overall comprehension of the instruction provided. The desired outcome is that each student will have a solid foundation of knowledge and understanding of the topic and subtopics required by part 65 appendix A.
Examples of evaluation methods include, but are not limited to:
• Oral examination,
• Written examination,
• Airplane performance calculations,
• Manual flight planning scenarios, and
• Simulated briefing to the PIC.
d. Successful Completion Standards. The TCO should include minimum test score requirements and standards for overall course completion, as well as standards for completion of individual assignments and scenarios.
e. A Listing of the Maximum Number of Credit Hours. Where a course incorporates credit hours, a course operator’s TCO should specify the maximum number of credit hours proposed for each topic and subtopic. This practice effectively identifies the minimum hours of instruction the course operator intends to provide on any given topic/subtopic, including any credit. It also helps to ensure continued compliance with § 65.61(b).
15. INSTRUCTORS. Section 65.67 requires an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course operator to have qualified personnel. Well-qualified instructors and quality instruction are critical components of any course. Course operators should be aware that the FAA will conduct surveillance activities designed to monitor instructors to determine the adequacy and quality of instruction.
a. List of Qualified Instructors. In accordance with § 65.63(a)(4), a course operator must maintain a current list of their instructors, including a list of qualifications for each instructor. In accordance with the requirements of § 65.63(d), a course operator must notify the approving office in writing of any revision to the list of qualified instructors.
b. Regulatory Requirements for Instructors.
(1) At Least One Instructor Must Hold an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate. In accordance with § 65.67(a)(1), each Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course operator must have