1.1 Part 65 Subpart C: Certification, Eligibility & Currency

FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate ADX

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1 Chapter 1: Regulations, Certification & Operational Control

1.1 Part 65 Subpart C: Certification, Eligibility & Currency 1.2 Operational Control & Dispatcher-PIC Joint Responsibility 1.3 Domestic, Flag & Supplemental Operations Framework 1.4 Dispatch Release Elements, Signatures & Recordkeeping 1.5 Regulations, Manuals, Crew Qualifications, and Source Control

2 Chapter 2: Atmospheric Physics, Pressure Systems & Fronts

2.1 Atmospheric Structure, Standard Atmosphere & Altimetry 2.2 Air Masses, Frontal Systems & Frontogenesis 2.3 Atmospheric Stability, Lapse Rates & Cloud Formation 2.4 Earth Motion, Regional Weather, Local Winds, and Water Phase Changes

3 Chapter 3: Aviation Weather Hazards & Severe Weather Avoidance

3.1 Structural and Induction Icing: Types, Accretion & Operations 3.2 Thunderstorms, Squall Lines, Microbursts & Low-Level Windshear 3.3 Clear Air Turbulence (CAT), Mountain Waves & Jet Streams 3.4 Low Ceilings, Fog Types & Visibility Restrictions 3.5 Hurricanes, Typhoons, Tornadoes, and Tropical Dispatch Hazards

4 Chapter 4: Weather Observations, Forecasts & Advisories Decoding

4.1 METAR and SPECI Surface Observations: Decoding & Operations 4.2 Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF): Groups & Timing 4.3 Pilot Weather Reports (PIREP): Coding, Severity & Urgent Alerts 4.4 In-Flight Advisories: AIRMETs, SIGMETs & Convective SIGMETs 4.5 Weather Collection, NWS Facilities, GFA, and EWINS

5 Chapter 5: Aviation Weather Charts & Upper-Air Analysis

5.1 Surface Analysis & Radar Summary Charts 5.2 Constant Pressure Analysis & Winds Aloft (FB) 5.3 Significant Weather Prognostic Charts (SIGWX) 5.4 Satellite Imagery, Moisture-Stability Analysis, and Forecast Integration

6 Chapter 6: Air Navigation, Airspace Architecture & Route Structure

6.1 National Airspace System: Classes, Rules & Special Use 6.2 Ground-Based Navigation Aids & Standard Service Volumes 6.3 Area Navigation (RNAV), GNSS/GPS, PBN & RNP Fundamentals 6.4 En Route Airways, SIDs, STARs & Chart Interpretation 6.5 Earth Coordinates, UTC, Chart Projections, and Flight Instruments 6.6 North Atlantic, Pacific, RVSM, and Global Navigation Differences

7 Chapter 7: Instrument Approaches, Minimums & Airport Operations

7.1 Precision Approach Systems: ILS Categories & Tolerances 7.2 Non-Precision Approaches, RNAV & Decision Minimums (MDA/DA) 7.3 Takeoff Minimums, Lower-Than-Standard & Takeoff Alternates 7.4 Holding Procedures: Patterns, Speed Limits & Timing

8 Chapter 8: Subsonic Aerodynamics & Jet Aircraft Performance

8.1 Subsonic Jet Aerodynamics: Lift, Drag & Flight Regimes 8.2 High-Altitude Flight: Mach Number, Buffet & Coffin Corner 8.3 Transport Turbine Engines: Thrust, Specific Fuel & Bleed Air

9 Chapter 9: Transport Category Takeoff & Landing Runway Analysis

9.1 Takeoff Performance Speeds & Balanced Field Concept 9.2 Takeoff Climb Segments & Obstacle Clearance Gradients 9.3 Landing Performance: Field Lengths, 60% Rule & Contamination

10 Chapter 10: En Route Performance, Driftdown Profiles & ETOPS Operations

10.1 One/Two-Engine-Inoperative En Route Net Profiles & Driftdown 10.2 Extended-Range Operations (ETOPS): Philosophy & Regulations 10.3 ETOPS En Route Alternates: Adequate vs. Suitable & Critical Fuel

11 Chapter 11: Aircraft Weight & Balance, Center of Gravity, and Loading

11.1 Transport Aircraft Structural Weight Limits: Definitions & Rules 11.2 Center of Gravity Computations: Datum, Arm, Moment & Index 11.3 Mean Aerodynamic Chord (%MAC) Computations & Stability 11.4 Payload-Range Analysis, Zero Fuel Weight Tradeoffs & Loading

12 Chapter 12: Destination Alternate Airport Selection & Weather Rules

12.1 Destination Alternate Selection: 91.169 & Part 121 1-2-3 Rule 12.2 Flag & Supplemental Operations Destination Alternate Rules 12.3 Derived Alternate Minimums: 1-Nav and 2-Nav Facility Rules

13 Chapter 13: Part 121 Fuel Planning, Reserves & En Route Re-Release

13.1 Part 121 Domestic Fuel Requirements: Reserves & Calculations 13.2 Part 121 Flag Fuel Requirements: 10% Reserve & Island Rules 13.3 Supplemental Fuel Requirements & Holding Fuel Management 13.4 Redispatch and En Route Re-release Procedures

14 Chapter 14: Transport Systems, Pressurization & MEL/CDL Procedures

14.1 Transport Jet Auxiliary Power, Electrical, Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems 14.2 Cabin Pressurization, Rapid Decompression & Oxygen Requirements 14.3 Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL), MEL & CDL Procedures 14.4 Flight Controls, Autoflight, Fuel, Oil, Brakes, and Fire Protection

15 Chapter 15: Hazardous Materials, Duty Regulations & Emergency Procedures

15.1 Dangerous Goods Carriage by Air (49 CFR Part 175) & NOTOC 15.2 Dispatcher Duty Limitations, Rest Requirements & Fatigue 15.3 Emergency Authority, Declaration & Diversion Decision-Making 15.4 NTSB Part 830 Accident Reporting & Wreckage Preservation 15.5 Security, Overdue Aircraft, and FAA Emergency Services

16 Chapter 16: Communications, ATC, and Flight Plan Procedures

16.1 Voice, Data Link, Position Reports, and Lost Communications 16.2 ATC Facilities, Separation, ICAO Flight Plans, and Traffic Management

17 Chapter 17: Human Factors and Practical Dispatch Applications

17.1 Dispatch Resource Management, Human Error, and Risk Decisions 17.2 Manual Flight Planning, PIC Briefing, Flight Watch, and Postflight Closeout

1.1 Part 65 Subpart C: Certification, Eligibility & Currency

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

ADX has 80 questions, 3.5 hours, and a 70 percent passing score in the FAA testing matrix.

The knowledge-test minimum age is 21; the certificate minimum age is 23 under § 65.53.

An initial ADX attempt requires no instructor endorsement or course-graduation authorization in the FAA matrix.

§ 121.463 familiarization is in one airplane type in each group dispatched, with specified seat and simulator alternatives.

§ 65.19 early retesting requires the specified certificated airman’s remedial-instruction statement.

Last updated: October 2026

Certification, ADX Logistics, and Carrier Qualification

The Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate is an FAA airman credential under Part 65 Subpart C. The ADX is the associated knowledge test code; passing ADX alone does not issue the certificate or qualify a person to dispatch a particular airline's flights. Candidates also need the experience or training prescribed by § 65.57 and must pass the practical test required by § 65.59. Carrier qualification under Part 121 is a further step after certification.

Separate the age thresholds

Section 65.53(a) sets 21 as the minimum knowledge-test age. Section 65.53(b)(1) sets 23 as the minimum certificate age. Certificate applicants must read, speak, write, and understand English and satisfy the knowledge, practical, and experience/training requirements. Do not cite § 65.55 as the source of the age rule: it describes knowledge requirements. The practical examiner evaluates the FAA aviation English language standard as well as technical performance.

A 21-year-old can therefore pass ADX while completing an approved course. The knowledge test does not require a graduation certificate or instructor endorsement for an initial attempt. The current FAA testing matrix explicitly lists no written authorization for the initial ADX attempt. Identification, an FAA Tracking Number, and the testing provider's registration requirements still apply. Course completion or qualifying experience is relevant to the certificate pathway, rather than an admission requirement for the first ADX sitting.

Two eligibility pathways

Under § 65.57(a), a candidate can document at least two years of qualifying experience in the three years before application . The listed work includes specified military pilot, navigator, or meteorologist service; Part 121 assistant dispatching under a certificated dispatcher, pilot, flight engineer, or meteorologist work; and air traffic controller or flight service specialist work. The Administrator can accept other duties providing equivalent experience. A general aviation pilot certificate or an unspecified aviation job does not automatically satisfy this rule.

Under § 65.57(b), the alternative is a graduation statement issued or revalidated under § 65.70(b) from an approved dispatcher course. Section 65.61 requires at least 200 hours of instruction in Appendix A topics. Credit for comparable previous training or experience can be allowed and documented by the course operator under § 65.61(d). A website study guide supplies independent preparation; it does not replace an approved course, its records, or FAA acceptance of an experience pathway.

Current knowledge-test facts

• Item ADX requirement or published information
• Test name/code Aircraft Dispatcher / ADX
• Questions 80
• Allotted time 3.5 hours, or 210 minutes
• Minimum test age 21
• Passing score 70 percent
• Testing supplement FAA-CT-8080-7D, Airline Transport Pilot and Aircraft Dispatcher
• Provider FAA-authorized PSI knowledge-testing centers
• Published PSI voucher price USD 175 plus applicable tax; verify booking charges when scheduling

Use the FAA matrix for current logistics and the official supplement for chart and performance exercises. The local practice-bank count is separate from the real examination's 80 questions. During preparation, set up timed problems in which you locate the right chart, identify its units and assumptions, and show the calculation rather than memorizing a final answer.

Section 65.55(b) normally requires evidence of passing the knowledge test within the preceding 24 calendar months when applying for the practical test. Section 65.55(c) recognizes the expired-report relief in § 61.40 for qualifying applicants. Do not assume every expired report requires an unconditional retest. For an ordinary report dated October 2026, the calendar-month window runs through October 2028; check any applicable extension and the examiner's documentation requirements before booking.

Practical-test scope

FAA-S-8081-10E, effective May 31, 2024, contains six Areas of Operation: Flight Planning/Dispatch Release; Preflight, Takeoff, and Departure; Inflight Procedures; Arrival, Approach, and Landing Procedures; Post-Flight Procedures; and Abnormal and Emergency Procedures. The PTS requires a manual flight plan , including validation of computer-produced data when used. Its average examiner planning allowance is no less than four hours; this is not a universal fixed four-to-six-hour appointment limit.

The practical test is conducted using a type of large aircraft used in air carrier operations. Be ready to prepare the flight plan, load manifest, takeoff data, and dispatch release; explain the selected weather, alternate, performance, and fuel decisions; and respond to an evolving scenario. The examiner can assess tasks in a different order. Passing requires demonstrated competence across the tasks, not just a memorized oral-question percentage detached from operational safety.

Retesting and records

Section 65.19 allows retesting 30 days after failure , or earlier with a signed statement from an airman holding the certificate and rating sought , certifying that the airman gave additional instruction in every failed subject and considers the applicant ready. An arbitrary instructor's signature is not the wording of this rule. Keep the unsuccessful report, remedial statement where required, and the practical-test paperwork organized. Use failed subjects to choose specific exercises rather than repeating an entire question bank indiscriminately.

Carrier qualification and familiarization

Part 65 certificates have no ordinary expiration date under § 65.15, but a carrier must qualify its dispatchers. Section 121.463 distinguishes initial training for an airplane group, transition and differences training, operating familiarization, and familiarity with operating procedures in the dispatch jurisdiction. Group I covers reciprocating and turbopropeller airplanes; Group II covers turbojet airplanes under § 121.400.

Within the preceding 12 calendar months , § 121.463(c) requires five hours of observation in one airplane type in each group dispatched. Observation is normally from the flight deck; a forward passenger seat with headset or speaker is permitted when the airplane lacks a flight-deck observer seat. The regulation provides an approved simulator observation alternative, without the flight-hour reduction. Actual-flight familiarization can be reduced to a minimum of 2.5 hours through the additional-takeoff-and-landing substitution described in the rule. This is not five hours in every fleet type.

Recurrent ground training and dispatcher competence checks are addressed by §§ 121.427 and 121.422(b), with recurrent qualification under § 121.433. Section 121.467 governs flight attendants, not dispatcher competency. Before a dispatcher assumes a desk, the carrier verifies training, differences, familiarization, jurisdiction knowledge, and current records; possession of the certificate alone does not establish all of these qualifications.

Official References

Source check: 2026-10-12 . Dispatcher eligibility and knowledge requirements ; FAA testing matrix ; FAA dispatcher PTS ; Part 121 operating rules . For operational use, apply current issued authorizations and the assigned aircraft’s approved data.