Should Flight Dispatchers Be Type Rated On Aircraft In Nigeria?

The issue of type rating of Flight Dispatchers formed part of discussions at the 2026 FLIDAN Annual Conference held at NCAA Annex, Lagos.

In his presentation, Snr. Flight Dispatcher David Olatunji said “ICAO Doc 10106 establishes a modern competency-based framework for Flight Operations Officers/Flight Dispatchers (FOO/FD). Within Chapter 2.3.1, ICAO defines role types and competency units that are directly tied to aircraft performance, systems behaviour, MEL/CDL interpretation, and operational decision-making. These competencies are inherently aircraft-specific, not generic.

This structure mirrors the philosophy of Doc 9868 (PANS-TRG)-the foundational document from which Doc 10106 was developed-where pilots are required to obtain aircraft-type ratings to ensure safe and efficient operation. The logic is identical.

When operational decisions depend on aircraft-specific data, Competency must be validated on that aircraft-type, to prevent data misinterpretation, performance miscalculations, and operational errors. I had the experience of using B727 data for B737 because I worked on the two airplanes within a spate of 20 minutes. I just discovered that the figures were not adding up as expected. My self-made safeguard for error detection- a checklist- helped me out that day. I am sure you all must have had similar experiences in various ways and magnitude.”

Olatunji said aircraft Type Rating for Dispatchers enhances safety and efficiency and that anchoring competency-based training to a specific aircraft type would significantly strengthen operational control, reduce data miscarriage by preventing mixing performance figures, fuel policies, MEL restrictions, or system behaviours across different fleets, enhance decision accuracy and improve OCC efficiency by eliminating delays caused by cross-checking multiple aircraft manuals or differing SOPs.

He argued that “since Doc 10106 competencies are aircraft-dependent, validating them through type rating ensures true competency rather than generic qualification” and will enhance safety culture as type rating reduces cognitive overload and supports disciplined operational decision-making.”

He said the United States (FAA) and Canada (Transport Canada) “do not issue Flight Dispatcher licenses under Annex 1. Therefore, they cannot implement aircraft-type ratings at the license level. The highest level at which type-specific qualification can be enforced is through the airlines, and both States have already achieved this. Operators require dispatchers to undergo aircraft-specific training, competency checks, and recurrent evaluations tied to each aircraft type they dispatch (e.g., B737, A320, B777). Although not a formal license rating, these operator-level qualifications function as de facto aircraft-type authorizations, reinforcing ICAO’S competency-based safety principles. Their initial training-now FOO training- is based on an aircraft type as the ATO deems fit.

Australia (CASA) CASA mandates operator-level aircraft-specific competency validation for dispatchers. UAE, Qatar, Singapore, Japan Several airlines implement internal aircraft-type dispatch qualification programs, especially in high-capacity OCCs” but Nigeria has a unique position.

“NCAA already Licenses Cabin Crew with aircraft-type rating. Nigeria is in a particularly strong position to lead globally because once flight dispatchers have type rating on their license, it follows that they have not only licensed all their safety critical personnel, they also have aircraft-type inclusion on the licenses. This is rare !!!

NCAA issues licenses to Cabin Crew contrary to what is widely obtainable globally. Cabin Crew are personnel whose operational duties are very important for safety. On a personal note, please request any of your cabin crew friend for a review on how the aircraft-type rating is boosting their operational safety culture. On a careless look, you will think it is not necessary because one can think their role is less aircraft-type-dependent than those of Flight Dispatchers.

NCAA earned commendation from USOAP for the aircraft type rating they have done on cabin crew licensing even though their safety duties are largely procedural and not performance-data-driven as those of the Flight Dispatchers. NCAA should leverage on the opportunity of this role-type rating to add the inclusion of aircraft-type rating for Flight dispatchers – the only category of safety personnel under their over-site, that has no aircraft type inclusion on their license-whose decisions are deeply tied to aircraft performance, systems, and limitations. Logically, flight dispatchers should have aircraft-type ratings on their licenses to complete the octet.

This is consistent with ICAO’s competency-based philosophy and aligns with global best practice.”

Olatunji also narrated that “over ten years ago, following multiple representations and formal requests by FLIDAN, the NCAA officially indicated her approval – in a communique- to insert aircraft-type rating features on the Flight Dispatcher license.

However, the approval has not yet been implemented. No regulatory amendment has been published. No type-rating structure has been added to the license format and dispatchers continue to operate without type-specific licensing despite the NCAA’s earlier commitment.”

In his intervention, President of Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju (Rtd) said Flight Dispatchers are ground crew and that type rating is necessary because it enhances mobility of labour.

In his presentation, Dr. Alexander Nwuba, President of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and 2nd Vice President of ASRTI, who was represented by ASRTI  General Secretary, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo called for reinstatement of type ratings on dispatcher licences. He said: “On behalf of AOPA and within the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative, we will continue to advocate for the recognition, welfare, and regulatory standing of the flight dispatcher. We will support FLIDAN’s engagement with the NCAA on type ratings, logbooks, and duty-time enforcement. And we will keep saying, in every room where it needs to be said, that the dispatcher is not support staff. The dispatcher is in operational control.”

The Director of Operations, Licensing & Training Standards (DOLTS), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Donald Tonye Spiff however recounted that the issue had been raised on the world stage at ICAO Conference but was not endorsed. In his personal opinion as a professional, he said type rating does not guarantee the job. “An employee decides who to employ,” he said, adding that Nigeria licenses cabin crew and some other countries don’t but they work on attestation. Capt. Spiff indicated however that NCAA would look into the conversation.