Professional Education Flight Dispatcher Initial Course (FDIC)

Emirates Aviation University offers the Flight Dispatcher Initial Course (Theory) at the University in Dubai. The course is approved and has been developed in close cooperation with the United Arab Emirates - General Civil Aviation Authority (UAE-GCAA) and it complies with CAR PART II Chapter 6.

The course provides trainees with in-depth knowledge of the duties of a flight dispatcher. In cooperation with the pilot, flight dispatchers furnish a flight plan that enables the aircraft to arrive at its destination on schedule and at the lowest operating cost. Flight dispatchers study a variety of theoretical of subjects including traffic flow, meteorology, weight and balance, fuel, alternate destinations and operation procedure including flight planning, navigation and communications.

As per with CAR PART II Chapter 6, the FDIC programme is required for candidates who do not have previous flight dispatch experience for the issuance of a flight dispatcher's licence. Also, the FDIC programme is required for candidates who have expired licence and could not exercise their skills over longer period of time.

Upon successful completion of the course, passing written and oral/practical exam, candidate will be issued a Certificate of Course Completion.  Candidates who do not require a GCAA licence, EAU would issue a Certificate of Course Attendance (CoCA), for those candidates who pass the EAU FDIC final exam and attend the full 10 weeks course.

• Frequently Asked Questions -Part I

  1. I have no background in aviation and want to change my future career. Am I eligible to study for the Flight Dispatch Course?

  You don't need to have a background in aviation to study the flight dispatch programme. The programme will be your best platform for a future career change.

  2. What is the entry requirement for the programme?

  Minimum 21 years old

  • High School Certificate (Science stream)
  • English Proficiency

  3. What is the tuition fee for the programme?

  The tuition fee is AED 47,959 (inclusive of 5% VAT).

  4. Are there any additional fees for the programme?

  Students who are interested in acquiring a GCAA flight dispatcher licence will need to pay an additional examination fee of AED 1,281. This payment can be made along with the tuition fee, or during the course (before the examination).

  5. Can I pay the tuition fees in two or three instalments?

  The tuition fee must be paid as one payment before the start of the programme. The tuition fee payment should be processed a minimum of three weeks before the start of the classes.

  6. Would you accept the tuition fee payment in cash, credit card, or bank transfer?

  EAU accepts all types of payment. Should you opt for a bank transfer, the Finance department will advise you on the process and provide you with bank transfer details.  Additionally, you can visit the university and pay by cash and/or credit card. The payment can also be made online.

  7. I completed the online application on the EAU website. What is next?

  Candidates who complete the online application will receive a notification confirming that we have received the application.

  • The Admission Officer will assess your application based on the minimum entry requirement and send you the offer letter stating the start date of the programme, tuition fees, and the required documents for submission.

  8. What documents do I need to submit?

  Copy of your passport and UAE resident visa (if applicable)

  • Two photos
  • UAE ID (if applicable)
  • Copy of the High School Certificate or latest qualification

  9. Would it confirm my registration in the programme if I received the letter and submitted my documents as stated in the EAU offer?

  The final confirmation of your registration in the programme will be associated with the full payment of the tuition fees. The maximum number of students per class is 25, as specified by the UAE GCAA. Completing the registration process with payment will secure your seat.

  10. What is the duration of the programme?

  The Flight Dispatch programme duration is 50 working days, which is equivalent to 10 calendar weeks. Classes are conducted from Mondays to Fridays. There will be no classes during the weekend.

  11. What is the medium of delivery for the course?

  The course is only delivered in class on campus. The Flight Dispatcher Initial Course is not offered online.

  12. Do I have to attend classes daily?

  The instructor would take the daily attendance of all students registered in the programme. Should a student fail to attend 90% of the programme, he/she will not be allowed to continue.

  13. Do you provide me with the students' study materials?

  The Course Coordinator/Instructor will provide you with the handouts on the first day. Also, you may borrow books from the library related to the taught subject.  Don't forget to return all the books upon completion of the course. You will receive the study materials, along with your student ID card, on the first day of classes.

  14. What would be the daily timing of the classes?

  The Flight Dispatch daily class would start at 8 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. There will be breaks between the sessions. Each teaching session's duration would be an average of two hours.

  15. I am an overseas student; will I be able to register for the programme?

  Overseas students (non-UAE residents) can join the programme, providing they meet the entry criteria as previously specified.

  16. I live outside the UAE. Would EAU assist me in getting the UAE-appropriate visa to attend the programme?

  EAU provides UAE visa support, however, the UAE immigration department issues the required visa. EAU visa office will guide the individual through the entire process. Any associated cost will be paid by the individual.

  17. Will I be able to apply for a UAE visa before registration?

  The EAU visa office will not process the visa without receiving confirmation from the EAU Registration Office.  The visa process could take a minimum of 10 working days. Some nationalities do not require an entry visa to visit the UAE.  You may check the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affair website which publishes and update continuously the information on the ministry website.

  18. Is there any assessment during the course?

  There will be an exam at the end of each module.  If a student does not pass the initial assessment, she/he will not be allowed to sit for the final exam. The final exam will be held at the end of the programme.

  19. How many exams must I pass?

  As it is mentioned above, you must pass the weekly module exam. There are two final written exams: the EAU and the GCAA. All flight dispatch students must pass the EAU exam before taking the GCAA exam. The instructor will inform you of the final grade.

  • Should you fail the GCAA exam, you will not be able to proceed with the oral and practical exams.

  20. I did not pass my EAU final exam. Will I be able to get my certificate?

  If a student fails to achieve the 75% passing mark, EAU will not issue a certificate for that student. Therefore, the student will be issued a Letter of Course Attendance.

  21. I passed my EAU final exam but failed my GCAA written exam. Will I be able to get a certificate?

  If you have passed the EAU final exam but failed the GCAA written exam, you will only receive a Certificate of Course Attendance.

  22. Can I do a resit exam?

  A failed student can retake the exam. However, students will have to pay the extra exam fees.

• Frequently Asked Questions -Part II

  23. What certificate do I receive if I pass all the exams? (EAU written exam, GCAA written exam, GCAA Oral & Practical exam)?

  Upon successful completion of all the above examinations, you will receive a Certificate of Completion.

  24. I completed my Flight Dispatch Initial Course. What is next?

  So, you pass the written final and oral exams. Congratulations! EAU will issue the Flight Dispatch certificate, but you still have another phase to complete. On-Job-Training (OJT).

  25. OJT-How does it work?

  An individual should seek placement within ATO/AOC-approved company by the UAE GCAA, within the country. You can still apply for an ATO/AOC-approved company by your NCAA, as per ICAO standards. You need to spend a minimum of 90 working days, in the flight dispatch operation environment.  Alternatively, you can approach EAU for assistance.

  26. Is there a timeline within which the OJT must be completed after completing the Flight Dispatcher Initial Course?

  As per the GCAA regulations, the OJT must be completed within a year from the date you have passed the GCAA Oral & Practical Exam.

  27. I completed my OJT what is next?

  If you completed your OJT, you will need to submit a letter from the company confirming your experience in the designated flight dispatch area with the duration. Also, you need to bring a minimum of four flight planning done by you during the training.

  28. Is there a specific format for the OJT letter?

  There is no specific letter/Certificate format indicated by the UAE GCAA. The letter should be addressed to the Chief of Licensing Department, General Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai, U.A.E. also, it must be signed by the Head of Flight Operations or a designated representative.

  The letter/certificate must confirm that the trainee has completed the OJT (for a minimum of 90 working days). It should indicate the start and completion date. Also, it would be advisable to state the area of work during the duration.

  29. How can I claim my licence?

  You should contact the Flight Dispatch Administrator, who will advise you on the next steps. You will have to pay directly the cost of the licence to the UAE GCAA and send an email with a copy attached of the payment receipt. The Administrator will request additional documents (course completion certificate, OJT letter, passport copy, etc.) to upload on the UAE GCAA system.

  There is a handling charge required to complete the entire process.

  30. Who will issue my Licence?

  The UAE GCAA will issue the Flight Dispatch licence as an electronic copy through email to EAU and you.

  31. How long will it take to issue my licence?

  It takes an average of 5 working days for the GCAA to process and issues your licence.

  32. How do I receive my license?

  The Flight Dispatch licence is issued by the GCAA in an electronic format. Once your license has been issued by the GCAA, you will receive it from EAU.