Study guide
1.5 Regulations, Manuals, Crew Qualifications, and Source Control
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
1.5 Regulations, Manuals, Crew Qualifications, and Source Control
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
Current operating-category definitions are in § 110.2; hazardous-material carriage is in 49 CFR Part 175.
Published approach minima do not establish carrier, crew, or aircraft authorization to use them.
Part 117 flightcrew scope, § 121.465 dispatcher duty, and § 121.467 flight-attendant rules are distinct.
Use current, applicable aircraft/route data and issued operational authorizations before signing.
Last updated: October 2026
Use the Right Authority for the Decision
The practical test expects a dispatcher to locate and apply the relevant regulation, manual, and authorization. Knowing a rule number without its scope is insufficient. A flight can satisfy a general rule and still violate an AFM limitation or the carrier's issued OpSpecs. Conversely, an advisory circular describing an acceptable method is not itself identical to a mandatory regulation. Identify which document supplies the requirement and which supplies explanatory guidance.
Regulatory map
- Source Dispatcher use
- Part 1 / Part 110 Definitions, aircraft and operation classifications
- Part 25 Transport-airplane certification and approved performance basis
- Part 61 Pilot certificates, ratings, and applicable privileges/limitations
- Part 65 Subpart C Dispatcher certificate requirements
- Part 71 Airspace, airways, and reporting-point designations
- Part 91 Applicable general operating rules, instrument procedures, and altimetry
- Parts 117 / 121 Applicable crew duty, airline operations, dispatch, performance, and fuel
- Part 139 Applicable airport certification and rescue/firefighting requirements
- 49 CFR Part 175 Hazardous-material carriage by air
- 49 CFR Parts 830 / 1544 NTSB notification/preservation and operator security
Appendix A retains some historical headings and references. Use the current applicable regulation: hazardous-material carriage is addressed by 49 CFR Part 175 , and current domestic/flag/supplemental definitions are in 14 CFR § 110.2 . Do not treat an old citation in a course outline as proof that the same current section number contains the rule.
AFM, operating manual, and OpSpecs
The Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) supplies approved limitations and relevant performance information for the airplane. The General Operating Manual (GOM) and associated company manuals define the carrier's approved/accepted policies, responsibilities, communication procedures, dispatch methods, and abnormal workflows. Operations Specifications state the carrier's authorizations, limitations, and procedures for its particular operation.
For a hypothetical low-visibility destination, three independent checks are necessary: the procedure and airport support the approach; the aircraft configuration and AFM/equipment status permit it; and the carrier/crew have the required authorization and qualifications. A published CAT III procedure at an airport does not authorize every carrier or every airplane to use CAT III minima. An MEL defect can remove a capability even while the airplane remains dispatchable for another flight.
When documents appear to conflict, compare applicability, effective dates, aircraft variants, and issued approvals. Escalate an unresolved conflict through the approved carrier process. Do not select whichever wording allows the most convenient departure. Approved performance data, an issued operational authorization, and an explanatory handbook serve different functions and must be read together.
Crew certification and operating qualification
Part 61 pilot certification is a starting point. Part 121 also requires the appropriate training, checks, airplane and route qualifications, recent experience, and operating assignments. A type rating by itself does not prove a crew is current for the carrier's particular operation. Similarly, a dispatcher certificate does not establish carrier differences training or jurisdiction qualification.
Before release, verify the assigned captain and first officer through the carrier's current crew-qualification system. Evaluate any restrictions relevant to the destination, approach type, special airport, navigation authorization, or operation. The dispatcher's role is to ensure the available crew information supports the plan and to coordinate a discrepancy with crew scheduling and operational management; do not infer eligibility from a name appearing on a schedule.
Flightcrew duty and fitness
Part 117 applies to the flightcrew operations within its stated passenger-operation scope; all-cargo operations have separate Part 121 provisions and may use an authorized Part 117 election. Dispatcher duty is instead addressed by § 121.465. Flight-attendant rules are in § 121.467. Keep these groups and applicability rules separate before looking up a numerical limit.
A proposed ATC delay can change a flightcrew duty calculation, projected arrival, weather window, fuel needs, and aircraft rotation. If the plan no longer fits an applicable crew limit, involve crew scheduling and evaluate a replacement crew, delay strategy, or cancellation under approved procedures. An emergency-extension provision is not routine permission to design an otherwise illegal schedule. Legal clock compliance also does not establish that an individual reporting unfit is safe to assign.
Airport and service qualification
Check whether the airport is authorized and operationally suitable for the airplane and flight. Consider runway data and pavement strength, lighting, approaches, NOTAMs, weather reporting, emergency services, and any special airport or terminal procedures. Part 139 ARFF indexing uses aircraft length and departure-frequency considerations; do not assume an aircraft's passenger count alone identifies the required index.
Foreign airport conditions must be evaluated under their applicable published information and the carrier's authorizations. An airport without a U.S. Part 139 certificate is not automatically unusable worldwide, and an airport certificate does not prove that a particular runway, navaid, or service is currently available. Use the time of proposed operation, including a possible diversion window, rather than only nominal daytime hours.
Source-control exercise
A hypothetical release uses a chart from a prior cycle, a current airport closure NOTAM, and a performance result for a different engine rating. Start by identifying each defect. The current NOTAM controls the affected operational status; the correct chart and approved procedure must be available; and the performance calculation must be rerun for the actual aircraft configuration. A correct signature cannot repair these wrong inputs.
Finish the exercise by naming the source for each decision and documenting unresolved constraints before departure authorization. This is the practical-test skill of effective information retrieval: locate the relevant paragraph, identify its scope and conditions, apply it to the flight, and communicate the operational consequence to the PIC. Memorized headings are useful only when they lead to a correct, current decision.
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.