Aircraft dispatcher: Domestic and flag operations

This regulation requires airlines operating under Part 121 domestic or flag rules to staff their dispatch centers with enough qualified aircraft dispatchers to maintain proper operational control over every flight they operate.

In practical terms, this means the airline must ensure adequate dispatcher coverage at all times—accounting for the number of flights, complexity of operations, and potential workload. A dispatcher shares legal responsibility with the pilot-in-command for flight planning, weather monitoring, and operational decisions. If a dispatcher becomes overloaded or unavailable, the airline cannot legally operate flights that would lack proper dispatch oversight.

This requirement ensures that every flight has professional ground-based support monitoring its progress, making real-time decisions about routing, fuel, weather diversions, and other operational matters. The regulation doesn't specify exact dispatcher-to-flight ratios, but the airline must demonstrate to the FAA that their staffing levels maintain safe operational control.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*