‘Flight dispatcher critical to air safety’

Chennai: Centralising flight dispatch operations violates the norms specified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). According to Section 5 of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), issued by DGCA along with ICAO, “Flight operations offices at the main base and sub-bases are adequately manned and equipped with communication and other assisting equipment. The operator should have sub-bases at stations where there are night halts.”
A leading airline intends to centralise its flight dispatch operations in Mumbai. By doing so, it aims to trim its workforce in the operations department by at least 15 per cent.
“The airline has already centralised flight dispatch operations for its international sectors, although it is under trial. The move has not brought in very good results. Apart from untrained dispatchers, there were many erroneous decisions made by the limited number of hands, which ultimately risked flight safety. But still the company and its senior management are harping on centralisation in the domestic sector,” claimed a pilot based in Mumbai.
A dispatcher serves as a coordinator and a centre for the collection of information on flight plans, navigation card, take-off computation card, meteorological charts for destination and alternative airports and fuel distribution forms. He briefs the pilot-in-command before the flight departs. He maintains radio contact with the flight at all times during the complete duration of the flight. After departure of the flight, he sends the departure message to the appropriate stations.
As a pilot points out, without the help of a dispatcher, he would be under additional pressure to make operational decisions.
“..the flight dispatcher’s role is not limited to handing over the flight document to operating crew. There can be various emergencies or last minute flying restrictions. It is the job of the dispatcher to convey them to the pilot to ensure safety.
12/06/09 Mamta Todi/ExpressBuzz

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Categories: Airports Jun 2009, Safety Jun 2009