Aircraft Dispatcher Study Plan
A free week-by-week schedule to pass the Aircraft Dispatcher knowledge test — built on all 7 ACS areas (726 practice questions), the proven 5-step method, and Learn-library lessons to fill every knowledge gap.
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Personalize free →Your 8-week Aircraft Dispatcher plan
Follow the weeks in order. Each week pairs the Learn lessons (understand it) with the 5-step drills (lock it in).
- Week 1
Aerodynamics + Performance
41%readiness goal- ›Read the linked lessons first to understand the "why" before you drill.
- ›Step 1 Answer Imprint + Step 2 Recognition Drill on Aerodynamics + Performance.
- ›Step 3 Full Practice — work through roughly 145 questions across these areas.
- ›Daily: Step 4 Weak Point Focus on anything you miss (Smart Review resurfaces it before you forget).
Lessons to read this weekTankering Fuel: Economics and Performance Trade-Offs for the DispatcherWeight and Balance Fundamentals for the Dispatcher: CG, MAC, and IndexMaximum Allowable Takeoff Weight: Structural, Performance, and Runway LimitsRunway-Limited Takeoff Weight and the Balanced Field Length ConceptLanding Field Length Requirements Under 14 CFR 121.195 (Dry and Wet)Computing Takeoff Performance for Contaminated and Slush-Covered Runways - Week 2
Meteorology and Weather Services
47%readiness goal- ›Read the linked lessons first to understand the "why" before you drill.
- ›Step 1 Answer Imprint + Step 2 Recognition Drill on Meteorology and Weather Services.
- ›Step 3 Full Practice — work through roughly 120 questions across these areas.
- ›Daily: Step 4 Weak Point Focus on anything you miss (Smart Review resurfaces it before you forget).
Lessons to read this weekThe 1-2-3 Rule: When a Destination Alternate Airport Is RequiredSelecting a Takeoff Alternate Under 14 CFR 121.617Domestic Destination Alternate Weather Minima Under 14 CFR 121.619Choosing an Alternate: Approach Capability, NOTAMs, and Field Condition FactorsDeriving Alternate Airport Weather Minima Under 14 CFR 121.625Exemption 3585 and Eligible-Alternate (ETOPS-Equivalent) Minima - Week 3
Equipment, Navigation, and Facilities
53%readiness goal- ›Read the linked lessons first to understand the "why" before you drill.
- ›Step 1 Answer Imprint + Step 2 Recognition Drill on Equipment, Navigation, and Facilities.
- ›Step 3 Full Practice — work through roughly 96 questions across these areas.
- ›Daily: Step 4 Weak Point Focus on anything you miss (Smart Review resurfaces it before you forget).
Lessons to read this weekClass A Airspace, Flight Levels, and Cruising Altitude Rules for DispatchFiling the ICAO Flight Plan: Equipment Codes and PBN Descriptors for DispatchersReading and Applying the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) at DispatchRVSM Airspace Requirements and Equipment Verification for ReleaseRequired Navigation Performance Authorization Required (RNP AR) Approach PlanningOceanic and Remote Airspace Procedures: CPDLC, ADS-B, and Position Reporting - Week 4
Flight Operations (part 1/2) + Flight Operations (part 2/2)
58%readiness goal- ›Read the linked lessons first to understand the "why" before you drill.
- ›Step 1 Answer Imprint + Step 2 Recognition Drill on Flight Operations (part 1/2) + Flight Operations (part 2/2).
- ›Step 3 Full Practice — work through roughly 125 questions across these areas.
- ›Daily: Step 4 Weak Point Focus on anything you miss (Smart Review resurfaces it before you forget).
Lessons to read this weekRoles of the Dispatcher Versus the Flight Operations Officer in Airline OperationsSupplemental Operations Fuel Requirements Under 14 CFR 121.643Flag Operations Alternate Requirements and the 6-Hour Rule (121.623-.625)Tropical Cyclone and Hurricane Planning for Affected Station OperationsWinter Operations: Deicing, Holdover Times, and Dispatch CoordinationETOPS Critical Fuel Scenario and Area of Operations Fuel Planning - Week 5
Emergencies, Hazards, and Flight Physiology + Regulations (part 1/2)
64%readiness goal- ›Read the linked lessons first to understand the "why" before you drill.
- ›Step 1 Answer Imprint + Step 2 Recognition Drill on Emergencies, Hazards, and Flight Physiology + Regulations (part 1/2).
- ›Step 3 Full Practice — work through roughly 153 questions across these areas.
- ›Daily: Step 4 Weak Point Focus on anything you miss (Smart Review resurfaces it before you forget).
Lessons to read this weekHandling In-Flight Emergencies and Diversions From the Dispatch DeskThe Aircraft Dispatcher ADX Knowledge Test: Subject Areas and Passing StrategyAircraft Dispatcher Recency and Familiarization Flight RequirementsOperational Control Under 14 CFR 121.533: The Dispatcher's Authority and LimitsRequired Contents of a Flag and Supplemental Flight Release Under 14 CFR 121.689Joint Responsibility of the Pilot in Command and Aircraft Dispatcher - Week 6
Regulations (part 2/2)
70%readiness goal- ›Read the linked lessons first to understand the "why" before you drill.
- ›Step 1 Answer Imprint + Step 2 Recognition Drill on Regulations (part 2/2).
- ›Step 3 Full Practice — work through roughly 87 questions across these areas.
- ›Daily: Step 4 Weak Point Focus on anything you miss (Smart Review resurfaces it before you forget).
Lessons to read this weekDispatcher Duty Time Limits and Rest Requirements Under 14 CFR 121.465Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate Eligibility and Aeronautical Experience RequirementsDispatcher Resource Management (DRM): Decision-Making and Workload PrinciplesRequired Contents of a Domestic Dispatch Release Under 14 CFR 121.687Amending and Re-Dispatching a Flight Release in FlightWhen a Dispatcher Must Cancel, Delay, or Redispatch a Flight - Week 7 · Review
Mixed review & weak points
85%readiness goal- ›Step 3 Full Practice across every category, mixed and randomized.
- ›Flag every miss — those become tomorrow's focus.
- ›Step 4 Weak Point Focus daily until each flagged question earns a green check.
- Week 8 · Review
Full review & exam simulation
95%readiness goal- ›Step 5 Exam Simulation — take full timed mock exams under real conditions.
- ›Keep going until you score 90%+ three sessions in a row — that's your green light to sit the real test.
- ›Step 4 Weak Point Focus every morning on any question you still miss.
What's a “readiness goal”?
Each week above lists a target — here's exactly what it means and where you'll see it.
Readiness is your Exam-Readiness score — a live 0–100 estimate of how likely you are to pass, shown right on your dashboard once you start studying.
It blends three things: how accurately you're answering, how much of the full question bank you've covered, and how well it's stickingover time. High accuracy alone won't max it out — the FAA draws from the whole bank, so broad coverage counts too.
Each week's readiness goal is the level to aim for by that point. Hit or beat it and you're on pace. When you're consistently at 90%+ — including three full exam simulations in a row — you're genuinely ready to sit the real test.
Where to find it: your dashboard shows your live readiness score and updates it every time you study.
The 5-step method behind the plan
Every week runs on the same proven sequence. Do the steps in order — don't skip ahead.
- Step 1Answer Imprint
see each question with its correct answer to lock it in
- Step 2Recognition Drill
pick the right answer from shuffled choices
- Step 3Full Practice
work every question mixed together
- Step 4Weak Point Focus
drill only what you missed until it sticks
- Step 5Exam Simulation
a full timed mock — 90%+ three times in a row means ready
Keep going
Always confirm current certificate requirements and test details at faa.gov.