FAA ADX Practical Test Standards

Below is a list of standards and topics from 14 CFR Part 65 Appendix A that every aircraft dispatcher must learn and understand in order to pass the Oral & Practical Exam for the FAA Dispatch Certification.

Topics will continue to be added into each section as articles are written.

• Regulations

  1. Definitions of Domestic, Supplemental, and Flag
  2. Minimum Fuel Requirements for Part 91, 121, 135 Operations
  3. Why We Only Look at Visibility - 121 Operations
  4. What Are The Responsibilities Of A Part 121 Dispatcher 
  5. Requirements to Become An Aircraft Dispatcher
  6. When Do You Need A Destination Alternate?
  7. What is the Standard Takeoff Minimums?
  8. When Do You Need A Takeoff Alternate?
  9. What Is In A Dispatch Release In Part 121?
  10. What is CO55 - Derived Alternate Minimums (1Nav2Nav) 
  11. What is Operational Control in Part 121?
  12. What is a MEL? (Minimum Equipment List)
  13. Regulation For Engine Failure  (Part 121)

• Meteorology

  1. How to Read a METAR
  2. METAR Remarks
  3. How to Read a TAF
  4. Weather Fronts
  5. How to Read a Prog Chart
  6. In Flight Advisories: AIRMET, SIGMET, Convective SIGMET, CWA
  7. How to Read a PIREP
  8. How to Read SigWx Charts
  9. How to Read A Station Model
  10. How to Read A Wind Barb
  11. How to Read Wind / Temp Aloft Charts
  12. What Are The Stages Of A Thunderstorm?
  13. What Are The Types Of Icing?
  14. What Are The Types of Turbulence?
  15. Types Of Precipitation

• Navigation

  1. How to Read Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP)
  2. What are the VOR / DME Service Volumes
  3. How to Read a SID Chart
  4. How to Read A STAR Chart
  5. What is VDP (Visual Descent Point)

• Aircraft

  1. What is a Balanced Field Length?
  2. Runway Declared Distances - ASDA, TORA, TODA, LDA
  3. Structural Weights - MZFW, MRW, MTW, MLW
  4. The Primary Flight Controls
  5. How Is Lift Generated By An Aircraft

• Communications

  1. How to Read a FICON NOTAM
  2. How to Read A NOTAM
  3. How to Read ICAO NOTAMs

• Air Traffic Control

  1. Types of Special Use Airspace

• Emergency and Abnormal Procedures

• Practical Dispatch Application

  1. Excercise / Quiz - METAR Examples