DEPARTMENT OF AIRPORT OPERATIONS AND FLIGHT DISPATCH MANAGEMENT
DIPLOMA IN AIRPORT OPERATIONS, FLIGHT DISPATCH & MANAGEMENT
COURSE DESCRIPTION, OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course has been designed to achieve the requirements of the ICAO Annex 6 – Operation of Aircraft, Part 1 – International Commercial air Transport and the Kenya Civil Aviation Regulations.
The Flight Operations Officer/Flight Dispatcher (FOO/FD) shall be employed to provide supervision of flight and to act as a close link between aircraft in Flight and the ground services, and also between the air crew and the (airline) operations ground staff.
The duties of the Flight Operations Officer/Flight Dispatchers as specified in ICAO Annex 6 Part 1 are:
- Assist the pilot – in – command in flight preparation and provide the relevant information required.
- Assist the pilot – in – command in preparing the operation and ATS flight plans, sign when applicable and file the ATS flight plan with the appropriate ATS unit.
- Furnish the pilot – in command whole in flight, by appropriate while in flight, by appropriate means, with information which may be necessary for the safe conduct of the flight and In the event of an emergency, initiate such procedures as may be outlined in the operations manual.
ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AIRPORT OPERATIONS OFFICER/FLIGHT DISPATCH OFFICER MANAGERS
At the end of this training successful FOO/FD shall be able to:-
- Consult with the meteorological office and reefer to meteorological information.
- Ascertain load requirements and determine load availability.
- Advise the pilot-in- command on the routes, altitudes, track and techniques stops that will necessary and what alternate aerodromes are considered suitable from the various airports and why.
- Determine fuel requirements, aircraft gross weight and balance and make a comparison of the PIC‟s independent circulation.
- Bring the pilot-in-command‟s attention any irregularity of airport airways navigation or communication facilities, with particular regard to noise, curfews affecting the availability of airports.
- Recommend revised routes, altitudes and alternative.
- Advise the PIC of commercial and technical considerations of which he could not be aware and which could influence operational decisions such as enforced diversion to an alternate destination.
- Assume significant responsibilities for operational aspects for any actions to be initiated from the ground in the event for a security incident on an aircraft.
- Check closely with operator‟s departments responsible for crew and aircraft routing in order to maintain a well – balanced positioning of crew and aircraft for the smooth operation of all flight.
- Advise and enforce airport safety measures
- Initiate innovative methods of reducing incidents of birds menace within an airport and flight path.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Age, Education, Medical & Language Requirements
- At least 18 years of age.
- A functional knowledge of the English language (read, speak, write & understand).
- A medical fitness for duty
- A minimum aggregate of KCSE C-(Minus) and above or its equivalent for Diploma and D for Certificate.
- Open to both male and female applicants.
Who should attend?
- University graduates
- Form four leavers.
- CAA staff
- Ground handling company staff
- Police air wing & Air force staff.
- Airline/AOC holder staff
- Bird strike Marshals
- Aviation security officer
Course Duration
1 year (theory 3 terms and 1 term or 3 months industrial attachment for Diploma and 6 months for Certificate i.e.(theory 2 terms and 1 term or 3 months industrial attachment.
Course Contents
AWARD OF CERTIFICATES
Course Outline
A certificate of course completion in line with Diploma in Flight Dispatch, Airport Operations and
Safety Management will be awarded on successful completion of the course. Students should enroll
for IATA and KCAA External examinations qualifications.
Teaching, learning methods and Instructional media
This course is conducted through:-
- Lectures
- Demonstrations.
- Group discussions.
- Field industrial attachments.
- Projects
- Research
These teaching methods endeavor to ensure that the student acquires knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate for their professional work in airport and flight operations
POLICY ON EXAMINATION
Throughout the course, students are exposed to work based assignments, continuous and end of semester/progress examinations (CATS) which constitute 30% of the final score. Final examinations are taken at the end of every course and accounts for 70% of the final score.
EDUCATIONAL TOURS
- Eldoret International Airport
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
- Wilson Airport.
- Kenya Meteorological Department headquarters ( Dagoretti Corner)
- Nairobi National Park.
- Maasai Mara Games Reserve
- Kenya Airways Base/Headquarters.
- Kisumu International Airport.
INTAKES
January
April/May
June/July
September
November
Assessment
The programme is continuously assessed with the institute‟s final examinational, and externally by the IATA/CAA. These exams are done in March, July, September and November of every year upon early booking.
NB: Assessment is also done through:-
- Weekly tests.
- Monthly tests
- End of term examinations
- Field attachment/trips report.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Open Career opportunities exist for successful graduates of this course in Airlines, Aircraft Ground Handling Companies, Route Planning and briefing agencies where they may work as Flight Despatch Officers, Ramp Operations Officers, Loading Agents, Briefing Officers, Public Relations Managers Station Managers. Load Controllers, Customer Agent Staff, birds strike marshals, Airport safety managers amongst others.
INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENTS
Attachment placements are available and limited to students who uphold exemplary performance, high level of discipline and are forward looking. This will provide them with the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge, and skills learnt in class and give them the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the same time exposing them to the world of work and responsibility.