《知識》地面上的飛行員 - 航空公司簽派員介紹 The Ground Pilot: An Introduction to Airline Dispatchers

 
(影片來源:財團法人中華航空事業發展基金會)

航空公司簽派員是一個比較少人知道的職務。簽派員主要工作是擬定飛航計畫簽派航機,並與飛行員溝通,雙方同意計畫內容才能合法航行,因此簽派員也被稱作是「地面上的飛行員」。

簽派員必須從助理簽派員做起,經過至少半年的見習訓練後,再到民航局進行學科考試。科目包括民用航空法規、基本航行學、飛航管制程序、航空氣象、陸空通訊、載重平衡等專業領域,再經歷口試、實作飛航計畫後,才能取得執照而轉為正式簽派員,擁有獨立作業的能力。

簽派員通常會待在機場辦公室工作,掌握空中每一架飛機的動向。像是颱風來要注意風速有沒有超過限制,檢查航路有沒有經過颱風圈。又像是俄羅斯有火山灰,就得即時通知飛行員,確認飛行路線油料是否充足。

每趟飛行前,簽派員必須先檢查飛機的狀況,例如是否有故障、維修狀態如何等。接著視當日起飛地、目的地、備降機場的天氣情況是否符合派飛條件,並注意當時的飛航公告做出航機是否能起飛、航行或是終止等決定。

完成基本的飛航確認後,簽派員必須考慮天氣狀況和預計的載客貨重量,計算從起飛地到目的地所需的油量,規劃可行之航線,並且詳細列出每個航段的消耗油量及飛行時間。

簽派員將所有資訊整合後,擬定一份飛航計畫。由於真正執行飛航計畫的是飛行員,因此簽派員必須與飛行員確認計畫的內容、進行飛航文件彙整及飛航前的任務提示,雙方都同意飛航計畫並簽名後,一個航班才算完成。延伸閱讀:《知識》飛機油量與載重平衡

若有緊急狀況發生,例如天氣不佳、鳥擊事件、飛機機械故障等,簽派員必須與各部門協調溝通,盡快修正計畫。簽派員基於航機安全考量,有權決定飛機是否可以執行任務。往往天氣因素導致航班取消,皆是由簽派員與航空公司評估後所做的決定。

簽派員為配合班機時程,工作時間為24小時輪三班制。不固定的工作時間容易造成身體負擔,加上擬定的飛航計畫關乎整架飛機上所有人的安全,只要有一個失誤就可能影響其他航班或航線、危及飛航安全,因此在高壓的工作環境下,簽派員需要具備夠強的抗壓性。
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The Ground Pilot: An Introduction to Airline Dispatchers

Airline dispatchers are a lesser-known profession, but they play a vital role in the safe and efficient operation of commercial flights. Dispatchers are responsible for drafting flight plans, assigning aircraft, and communicating with pilots. They are also known as "ground pilots" because they must agree with the pilots on the contents of the flight plan before it can be legally flown.

To become a dispatcher, one must first complete at least six months of apprenticeship training and pass an academic exam administered by the Civil Aeronautics Administration. The exam covers a variety of topics, including aviation regulations, navigation, flight control procedures, meteorology, air-ground communications, and load balancing. After passing the exam and completing a practical flight plan, one can obtain a dispatcher license and begin working independently.

Dispatchers typically work in airport offices, where they track the movements of all aircraft in the air. They must be constantly aware of changing weather conditions and other factors that could impact flight safety. For example, if a typhoon is approaching, a dispatcher must determine whether the wind speed exceeds the safety limit and whether the flight route will pass through the typhoon area. If there is volcanic ash in the region, the dispatcher must notify the pilots and confirm that they have enough fuel to avoid the ash cloud.

Before each flight, dispatchers must check the condition of the aircraft, including its maintenance status and any reported malfunctions. They must also assess the weather conditions at the departure airport, destination airport, and alternate airport.

Once they have completed this basic flight confirmation, dispatchers can begin planning the route. They must consider the weather conditions, estimated passenger and cargo weight, and aircraft fuel requirements. Once they have calculated all of these factors, they can draft a detailed flight plan that includes the fuel consumption and flight time for each leg of the journey.

After drafting the flight plan, dispatchers must confirm the contents with the pilots. They also compile flight documents and provide pilots with any other flight-related information. Once both parties agree on the plan and sign it, the flight is considered complete.

If an emergency occurs during a flight, such as bad weather, a bird strike, or a mechanical failure, the dispatcher must coordinate with various departments to quickly revise the plan. Based on aircraft safety considerations, dispatchers have the right to decide whether an aircraft can continue its mission. In many cases, when a flight is canceled due to weather factors, it is a decision made by the dispatcher and the airline after careful assessment.

Airline dispatchers work a rotating three-shift system, which means that they may have to work irregular hours. This can be physically demanding, and the stakes are high, as a single mistake could affect other flights or routes and jeopardize flight safety. As a result, dispatchers must be highly resilient and able to work well under pressure.

Despite the challenges, airline dispatchers are highly skilled professionals who play a critical role in the aviation industry. They are responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of commercial flights, and their work is essential to the safety of everyone on board.