Airline Flight Operations Control and Dispatch Compliance Checklist

This airline flight operations control and dispatch compliance checklist ensures compliance with FAA 14 CFR Part 121 Subpart U (Dispatching and Flight Release Rules), FAA AC 121-2 (Dispatching and Flight Following), FAA Operations Control Center (OCC) requirements, and aircraft dispatcher certificate requirements under Part 65.55. Designed for Flight Operations Directors and Chief Dispatchers to verify dispatch system compliance.

  • Industry: Aviation
  • Frequency: Daily
  • Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes
  • Role: Chief Dispatcher / Flight Operations Director
  • Total Items: 30
  • Compliance: FAA 14 CFR Part 121 Subpart U Dispatching and Release Rules, FAA AC 121-2 Dispatching and Flight Following, FAA 14 CFR Part 65.55 Aircraft Dispatcher Certification, IATA Operational Safety Audit IOSA DIS Standards, FAA Operations Control Center Compliance Requirements

Dispatcher Qualifications

Certified dispatcher requirements.

  • All dispatchers holding current FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate?
  • All dispatchers current on annual recurrent training?
  • Dispatchers qualified on all aircraft types they are dispatching?
  • New dispatchers completing required observation periods?
  • No dispatchers working under prohibited substances?

Flight Release Authority

Dispatch release compliance.

  • Joint PIC/Dispatcher authority understood and practiced?
  • All flight releases include required content per FAA 121.687?
  • Alternate airports filed when required by FAA 121.619?
  • Fuel planning per airline policy and FAA minimums on every release?
  • PIC concurrence documented for every flight release?

Weather Monitoring

Continuous weather monitoring.

  • Approved weather data sources being used (NWS, airline meteorology)?
  • SIGMETs, AIRMETs, and PIREPs being monitored for all active flights?
  • Dispatchers exercising divert authority when safety requires?
  • Low visibility operations at destinations monitored in real time?
  • Tropical weather monitoring active during hurricane season?

In-Flight Monitoring

Active flight monitoring requirements.

  • All flights tracked via ACARS/ADS-B/radar in real time?
  • Communications maintained with all active flights?
  • Overdue flight procedures defined and trained?
  • Abnormal situation response procedures tested in last 12 months?
  • Weight and balance reviewed for all flights before release?

OCC Operations

Operations Control Center compliance.

  • OCC staffed with required number of qualified dispatchers at all times?
  • Backup communications and tracking systems tested and ready?
  • OCC emergency response plan current and exercised?
  • Coordination with maintenance, crew scheduling, and airport ops effective?
  • IROPS (Irregular Operations) procedures in place and current?

Dispatch Records

Dispatch recordkeeping compliance.

  • Flight releases retained per FAA 121.695 (3 months minimum)?
  • Load manifests retained per airline policy?
  • Weather data used for releases retained for post-event review?
  • Dispatch records available for FAA inspection on request?
  • Dispatch Compliance Notes

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Why Use This Airline Flight Operations Control and Dispatch Compliance Checklist?

This airline flight operations control and dispatch compliance checklist helps aviation teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for chief dispatcher / flight operations director professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: daily.

Ensures compliance with FAA 14 CFR Part 121 Subpart U Dispatching and Release Rules, FAA AC 121-2 Dispatching and Flight Following, FAA 14 CFR Part 65.55 Aircraft Dispatcher Certification, IATA Operational Safety Audit IOSA DIS Standards, FAA Operations Control Center Compliance Requirements. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Airline Flight Operations Control and Dispatch Compliance Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 30 inspection items across 6 sections: Dispatcher Qualifications, Flight Release Authority, Weather Monitoring, In-Flight Monitoring, OCC Operations, Dispatch Records. It is designed for aviation operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed daily. Each completion takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

Who should use this Airline Flight Operations Control and Dispatch Compliance Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Chief Dispatcher / Flight Operations Director professionals in the aviation industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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