April 1, 2022
WHAT GOES BEHIND A FLIGHT:
AICAT's Flight Dispatcher Internship Program (FDIP)
Flying thousands of feet above is an exhilarating experience. The majestic bird view exposes the beauty of mother nature, which is an experience quite like no other. Little do people know that there are professions as crucial as pilots and cabin crews in making these escapades possible— the jobs of an aircraft dispatcher and flight operations officer.
They primarily work behind the scenes and are known as “pilots on the ground.” The aircraft dispatchers are in-charge of flight and fuel planning, safety management, advisement, and communication. They are like the processor system behind every flight that works hand-in-hand with the pilot and crew. Without them, flights are nearly impossible to be successful and efficient.
Luckily, a training program is now accessible to students who would like to have the necessary knowledge and skills to be an aircraft dispatcher. Last April 1, 2022, Alpha Aviation Group International Center for Aviation Training (AICAT) introduced its first batch of trainees from PATTS College Aeronautics for their Flight Dispatcher Internship Program (FDIP). Seven (7) students from the BS Air Transportation Department underwent the training. Alongside this training, AICAT also opened its doors for PATTS’ BS Aircraft Maintenance Technology students for their Aviation Maintenance Internship Program stationed in La Union.
FDIP aims to provide the trainees with in-depth knowledge and training of their duties as flight dispatchers. And with the AICAT structured training program, the trainees are assured of quality theoretical understanding and practical maintenance training that will equip them with competence in their future aviation careers.
The program is designed with five (5) theoretical subjects: Personality Development, Safety Management systems, Dispatch Resource Management, Flight Planning, and ETA Dispatch and Operation. On top of that, students will also get hands-on experience using the Flight Dispatch System in scheduling AICAT’s very own Cessna 172 and P2006T. To make the most out of the experience, they must commit to 420 hours to complete the internship.
These students were also given an opportunity to visit the PAGASA-CLARK Weather station to learn the work process of a meteorologist. In addition to that, they were as well deployed to San Fernando, La Union Airport to experience being on-site as a dispatcher.
Franz Alexa Mari Quiaoit (4th year BS AT student and former Managing Editor of the Aeroscope Publication) shared her insights during the training, saying, “As one of the students, I was really excited about this training program. I eagerly anticipated what we would get to experience and learn almost every day. I didn’t feel the exhaustion and simply enjoyed the learning process. The company made the experience comforting with their warm accommodations and guidance. The instructors were always enthusiastic about sharing their insights. I am incredibly grateful to have met such inspiring professionals who made it all challenging but worthwhile. I would say that the Flight Dispatcher Internship Program (FDIP) was a significant part of my journey in an aviation school. But certainly, this isn’t my final cap off because FDIP rekindled my love for aviation. I am more inclined now to pursue it as a career.”
Ivan Matias (4th year BS AT student), another trainee, also stated, “[When] my job as a trainee started in AAG, I felt quite intimidated and challenged by its environment considering that the company and workplace play a competitive role in the aviation industry, not only in the Philippines but throughout the world. The comprehensive training helped me understand how some things work inside the aviation industry and made me feel that I am now officially a part of the workforce because of their guidance and assistance. AAG never made me feel that I am not enough or not for this type of industry; rather, it made me seek and thrive for greater opportunities and career development that the aviation industry can offer. Sure, there are things that made me question my abilities entering the corporate world, but my experience working with the people in this company helped me not to forget my aspirations in life.”
Now that the world is slowly going back to normal, people can finally stretch out their arms like wings and prepare themselves to see the world again, thanks to the ones behind every safe flight.