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Under 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart C, what is the minimum age to hold an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate?
Key Facts: Aircraft Dispatcher Exam
80
Exam Questions
FAA ADX knowledge test
70%
Passing Score
FAA testing matrix
2h
Time Allotted
Exam session length
$175
AKT Fee
PSI FAA airman knowledge testing
21 / 23
Age Requirements
14 CFR 65.53 (test age / certificate age)
~5 weeks
Approved Course Length
Part 65 Appendix A (200+ hours, typical intensive)
The FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) knowledge test is 80 questions, 2 hours, 70% passing, with a $175 PSI testing fee. Eligibility under Part 65 Subpart C: 21+ to test, 23+ to hold the certificate, and candidates must pass the ADX knowledge test plus the Aircraft Dispatcher practical test (FAA-S-ACS-25) after either qualifying experience or an FAA-approved dispatcher course (commonly a ~5 week, ~200 hour intensive). BLS categorizes aircraft dispatchers under SOC 43-5011 Airfield Operations Specialists, with median annual pay in the mid-$60,000s and strong wage premiums at major Part 121 carriers.
Sample Aircraft Dispatcher Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your Aircraft Dispatcher exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart C, what is the minimum age to hold an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate?
2What is the passing score on the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) knowledge test?
3Under Part 121, who exercises operational control over a flight?
4How many questions are on the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) knowledge test?
5Which FAA document specifies the Aircraft Dispatcher practical test standards?
6A METAR reports '24015G25KT.' What does this indicate?
7Which icing type forms as a smooth, clear ice layer and is most hazardous because it adheres tightly and is hard to remove?
8A SIGMET is issued for which type of hazard?
9What does the 1-2-3 rule under 14 CFR 91.169 require?
10Which weather product reports actual observed in-flight conditions from a pilot?
About the Aircraft Dispatcher Exam
The FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate (ADX) is the airman knowledge test required under 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart C for joint operational control with the pilot in command in Part 121 airline operations. The exam covers Part 121 regulations, dispatcher-PIC joint responsibility, meteorology (METAR/TAF/PIREP/SIGMET/AIRMET decoding, icing, thunderstorms), weight and balance, aircraft performance (runway analysis, obstacle clearance, ETOPS), ATC procedures, flight planning, alternate airport rules (91.169 and Part 121), NOTAMs, MEL/CDL, hazmat (49 CFR 175), duty time limits, oxygen, depressurization, drift-down, and over-water operations.
Questions
80 scored questions
Time Limit
2h
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
$175 (FAA)
Aircraft Dispatcher Exam Content Outline
Part 121 Regulations and Operational Control
14 CFR Part 121 operating rules, Part 65 Subpart C dispatcher certification, dispatch release requirements, recordkeeping, and flag/domestic/supplemental operations differences.
Dispatcher-PIC Joint Responsibility
Joint operational control concept, authority to refuse or cancel a release, diversion and amendment authority, and communication expectations between dispatch and the flight deck.
Meteorology and Weather Product Decoding
METAR, TAF, PIREP, SIGMET (convective and non-convective), AIRMET, icing types (clear/rime/mixed), thunderstorm life cycle and avoidance, windshear, microbursts, and upper-air analysis.
Weight and Balance, Fuel Planning
Maximum takeoff weight, center-of-gravity computation, payload/fuel tradeoffs, Part 121 fuel reserve requirements, and fuel burn and contingency planning.
Aircraft Performance, Runway Analysis, ETOPS
Takeoff and landing performance, obstacle clearance, one-engine-inoperative net performance, drift-down, ETOPS planning and adequate/suitable alternates, and over-water operations.
Flight Planning and Alternate Airport Requirements
Route selection, 14 CFR 91.169 alternate rules, Part 121.619/121.621/121.623 destination and alternate requirements, 1-2-3 rule, and redispatch/re-release strategy.
ATC Procedures, NOTAMs, Navigation
IFR clearances, airway structure, RNAV, holding, departure/arrival procedures, NOTAM interpretation, and airspace and separation fundamentals.
MEL/CDL, Hazmat (49 CFR 175), Security
Applying the Minimum Equipment List and Configuration Deviation List, accepting and documenting hazmat under 49 CFR 175, and dispatcher security program responsibilities.
Duty Time, Oxygen, Depressurization, Abnormal Ops
Flight and duty time limits under Part 117/121, supplemental oxygen requirements, cabin pressurization rules, depressurization response, drift-down scenarios, and diversion decision logic.
How to Pass the Aircraft Dispatcher Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam length: 80 questions
- Time limit: 2h
- Exam fee: $175
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Aircraft Dispatcher Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) knowledge test?
The ADX is an 80-question, multiple-choice Airman Knowledge Test with a 70% passing score. The exam is delivered on computer through FAA-authorized PSI testing centers, and the current Airman Knowledge Test fee is $175.
What are the eligibility requirements under Part 65 Subpart C?
14 CFR 65.53 sets age 21 to sit for the ADX knowledge test and age 23 to hold the certificate. You must read, speak, write, and understand English, pass both the ADX knowledge test and the Aircraft Dispatcher practical test, and present either qualifying aviation experience in the prior 3 years (14 CFR 65.57) or graduation from an FAA-approved dispatcher course under Part 65 Appendix A.
What does dispatcher-PIC joint responsibility mean?
Under Part 121, the dispatcher and pilot in command share operational control. Both must agree on the dispatch release before departure, both can decline or amend a release based on weather, performance, or operational factors, and the dispatcher stays on duty to monitor and support the flight through landing.
How long is the FAA-approved aircraft dispatcher course?
Part 65 Appendix A requires at least 200 classroom hours covering the listed subject matter. Schools commonly deliver this as a ~5 week full-time intensive, though evening and part-time formats exist.
What reference is the ADX practical test based on?
The practical test is administered under FAA-S-ACS-25, the Aircraft Dispatcher Airman Certification Standards (ACS), which specifies the knowledge, risk management, and skill areas examined after you pass the ADX knowledge test.
What are the Part 121 alternate airport requirements?
Under 14 CFR 91.169 and Part 121 rules such as 121.619, 121.621, and 121.623, an alternate is generally required unless forecast ceilings and visibility at the destination meet the 1-2-3 rule (from 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA, ceilings at least 2,000 ft and visibility at least 3 sm). Flag, supplemental, and extended-range operations have additional specific alternate rules.
How much do aircraft dispatchers earn?
BLS categorizes dispatchers under SOC 43-5011 Airfield Operations Specialists. The median annual wage is in the mid-$60,000 range nationally, with dispatchers at major Part 121 carriers often earning significantly more, plus travel benefits and shift differentials.
Can you fail the ADX and retake it?
Yes. Under 14 CFR 65.19, you may retest after 30 days, or sooner if you present a signed statement from a qualified instructor certifying that you have received additional instruction in each failed subject and are ready for retesting.