TransCon Company History

TCA (TransCon) was founded in 1993 to provide airlines with an alternative means to accomplish training required by Federal Aviation Regulations. Working with the FAA, The company has provided CFR compliance advisement to various airlines. TransCon, provides the airline industry with Air Transportation Ground Instructors, Consultation Services, Procedural Development, and produces Airline Specific Operations Manuals. We create and conduct contract Ground-based Training for various ground support personnel for air carriers and air carrier contract personnel.  Training courses include Restricted Articles, Security, Safety, Fueling, Deicing-Anti-icing and Chemical Abuse Training.  Our company also develops training publications designed and constructed to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) requirements.

Specializing in Dispatch Training (including Flight Follower) TCA provides a complete Dispatch Training Program: Dispatcher Certification, Initial New Hire, Initial Equipment Ground School, Annual Recurrent, and DRM (Human Factors). We also provide Flight Crew Indoctrination Ground Training, CRM (Human Factors) RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation) and Hazardous Materials Training. Through associations we can arrange Simulators, Cockpit Procedures Training, and Ground Training for the flight crews.

August of 2004, TransCon reached an agreement with World Airways based in Atlanta, GA, to create and conduct ground-based training for their Operations Control Center, more specifically dispatch personnel and flight crews.

November 10, 2000, TransCon was retained to provide services for Potomac Air Inc. (U.S Airways Regional).  During the personal interview, maximum emphasis was placed on having the airline flying within thirty days from a certain target date. To develop an airline from concept to flight in thirty days is unheard of. The absolute minimum period of performance for the scope of services involved would be 6 months and the “norm” is a full year. This goal was accomplished and TransCon provided counseling, development and training services for Potomac Air until September 11, 2001. Unfortunately, Potomac was forced to terminate airline service because of the lengthy closing of Washington Reagan Airport for security reasons.  Washington Reagan Airport was the primary hub for Potomac Air operations.

November of 1999, TransCon entered into and continues a contract with Piedmont Airlines (US Airways Express) to provide Dispatcher Ground Training.

August of 1996, TransCon entered a contractual arrangement with the Dallas/Ft. Worth-based commuter airline, Lone Star Airlines. This arrangement retained TransCon as a consultant in the conversion to a Part 119-121 operation.  The necessity of this conversion was brought about when Congress, through the FAA, announced a new safety initiative known as “one level of safety.” This action initiated a new rule, 14 CFR Part 119, requiring the commuter airlines with aircraft weighing 12,500 lbs or more; seating 10 or more; and operating on a schedule, to operate by the same safety standards as major air carriers.  The conversion of operations to Part 119-121 created a need for the development of new procedures, the creation or revision of operating manuals, and new training programs to satisfy the new requirements.  TransCon developed the complete Dispatcher Training Program inclusive of transition training for the Fairchild Metro (all series) to the Fairchild Dornier 328. TransCon personnel also assisted in producing the required manuals and developed the procedures for the now required Operations Controls System, including Operations Center Design as well as equipment and software evaluation.

February of 1994, Valu-Jet Airlines, an Atlanta, Georgia based company, requested TransCon submit a proposal to provide and conduct an FAA approved Dispatch Training Program for their company.  TransCon’s proposal was accepted after providing the FAA with the syllabus, a list of instructors, and conducting an in-classroom live instruction demonstration of the complete curriculum. We received FAA approval and were included in the company Operations Specifications as ‘An Approved Source for Training’. The company continued to provide this training for Valu-Jet until it was purchased by Air Tran Airways.

Dispatcher training and similar work has been provided by TransCon for:
 

• TriStar
• AirTran
• US Africa
• Global Air Cargo
• British Aero Space
• TransMeridian
• Piedmont Hawthorne
• Vanguard Airlines
• Miami Air
• Midway
• Piedmont Airlines
• Higher Power Aviation
• Aspen Mountain Air
• Reflectone
• Southwest
• Air Florida
• Conquest Airlines
• World Airways

In summary, TransCon’s comprehensive performance history in the airline industry has enabled our personnel to foster professional relationships and develop the broad range of knowledge and skills that will prove vital in accomplishing the scope of work essential to the aviation industry.

TransCon Company Overview

Our Services

PUBLICATIONS
Manuals

OFFICE STRUCTURE
Procedures - Equipment

TRAINING
Aircraft Dispatcher
Flight Crew
Flight Attendant
Ground Support Personnel
Security
Restricted Articles (HAZMAT)
Chemical Abuse
Human Factors (DRM-CRM)

SAFETY (FAA-ASI CERTIFIED)
Audits
Safety Program Management
Risk Management
Safety Program Instructor

INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
Extended Two Engine Ops  (ETOPS)
Reduced Vertical Separation (RVSM)
Re-Release-Re Dispatch-Re Route
North Atlantic Track Structure (NAT)
North (NOPAC) & Mid-Pacific (MIDPAC)
Random-Route Selection Planning
Waters Operations

AIR CARRIER CERTIFICATION 
Over A Century of Commercial Airline History
Excellent FAA Rapport
Knowledge of FAA Requirements
Start-Up & Conversion Certification
FAA References

Our Mission

Our mission at TransCon Aviation is simply to provide the most comprehensive, highest quality, affordable aviation training and visionary consulting services possible, with safety always paramount.

To achieve this mission, TransCon Aviation will:

• be fiscally responsible and accountable.

• provide a broad range of instructional technologies, methods, materials, facilities and support services that promote leaning.

• endeavor to maintain a comprehensive and industry-best curriculum.

• provide personnel with solid backgrounds and experience.

• remain on the cutting edge of industry trends to anticipate future needs of our clients.

• work with the FAA to provide approved quality and consulting services. 

• be  committed to furthering aviation safety by our attitude and diligence in all that we do.

History Of The Aircraft

Dispatcher

"THE AIRCRAFT DISPATCHER IS THE BEST

KEPT SECRET OF THE AIRLINE"

Congressman Oberstar

Chair Aviation Sub-Committee

The profession of the Airline Dispatcher is nearly as old as the airline industry itself. In the 1920's, airlines were created to carry airmail under contract with the U.S. government. Borrowing a term from the railroad industry, these early airlines hired dispatchers to plan and control the movement of equipment (airplanes). The early airline dispatcher's primary duty was to ensure the safe and expeditious handling of airmail through the nationwide network of air routes. Within a few years, airlines gained access to government teletype lines providing updated weather information, and dispatchers compared this information with published schedules to determine the best routing for airmail. After airlines added passenger services, the dispatcher would sometimes declare conditions too hazardous to permit passengers to make the trip. Except in the worst conditions, however, dispatchers made certain that the mail always went through.

By the early 1930's, airlines equipped their aircraft with two-way radio. Now dispatchers could consult with pilots in flight, discussing weather conditions and possible alternate landing sites. (Later, radio would also permit development of modern air traffic control.) Improved air-ground communication made the dispatcher more effective and air travel much safer. In 1938, Congress passed the landmark Civil Aeronautics Act. In accordance with that Act, federal regulations required U.S. airlines to employ dispatchers, who were required to obtain a federal license.
To obtain a license, the airline dispatcher had first to demonstrate detailed knowledge of aviation, weather, air routes and air traffic procedures. The licensed dispatcher became, by regulation, a partner with the airline captain. Both shared legal responsibility for the safety of the airline flight.
Over the years, airlines have referred to their licensed dispatchers by various names. They have been called Flight Dispatchers, Flight Superintendents, or Flight Controllers (not to be confused with air traffic controllers). All share the same duty and responsibility: to provide ground based operational control of every flight operated by U.S. airlines, whether domestic or overseas. The dispatcher is the eyes of the airlines, watching the progress of each flight from planning to touchdown. From the 1920's to the present, airline dispatchers have continued to provide an important link between air and ground which protects the safety of every airlines passenger.

Donna M. Corbett
Aviation Historian, Smithsonian Institute

Responsibilities Of The Aircraft Dispatcher

Responsibilities and duties of the Aircraft Dispatcher include; Authorize, regulate, control, and monitor commercial airline flights according to government regulations, company policies and procedures to ensure optimum safety of operation of each flight. Analyze and evaluate meteorological information, both at the surface and aloft. Determine the potential effect of any storm systems which may be present in his/her area of responsibility. Collect and evaluate any reports or forecasts of turbulence and/or wind shear both at the surface and aloft which may pose a potential hazard to safety of any flights in the area. Promote safety, efficiency, and service through the exercise of initiative and sound judgment in all areas of flight operations. Compute required fuel load consistent with regulations and requirements according to aircraft and type of operation to be conducted. Prepare a flight plan containing information such as maximum allowable take off weight, route of flight, allowable landing weight, alternate airport (if required), appropriate weather and field condition reports. Prepare and sign the dispatch release based on the information developed in the flight plan. This release is the Dispatcher’s authorization for the flight to be conducted. Delay or cancel flights if conditions develop that warrant such action. Monitor weather and flight progress and advise crew of significant changes to the plan. Recommend alterations to the flight plan such as route changes, altitude changes, redispatching to a different destination or any other enroute amendments required by changing conditions. Coordinate between the flight crew and other company departments and government agencies to effect changes to the plan when necessary for operational or safety reasons. Originate, disseminate and maintain current flight information for use by stations and reservations, or other departments within the airline for the maintenance of the airline’s schedule.

TransCon Is A Leader

OUR CLASSROOM AND ONLINE TRAINING IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED 

• We find out what specific knowledge you really need to have in order to meet your career and organizational goals and initiatives.  We make the adjustments to our curriculum in order to make it fit to your requirements.
• We profile the target audience to confirm course expectations and student experience levels.
• We perform readiness assessments for specific technologies to make sure students meet required prerequisites.  If they need a course to get up to speed, we provide it.

Continuous Research And Update

• Our best-of-breed courseware starts out at the top of the industry and stays there with modular customization and real-world case studies.
• Our instructors come with solid references and consult with you before training, preparing the curriculum accordingly.
• Our delivery staff adheres to uniquely defined requirements for each course.  This process guarantees a seamless class setup.
• During the training, students fill out course evaluations so that adjustments in presentation or materials can be made immediately.

IMPROVEMENT

• With each course, we’re out to make our students’ final evaluation our best ever.
• Our Instructors stay in contact after the classes to make sure the course objectives were met.
• Our curriculum advisors and trainers are tracking trends and anticipating the future knowledge needs of our customers.  We often know what you’ll need to know even before you know it!
• Working very closely with FAA and CAA officials, TransCon is in a unique position to provide you a one-stop, comprehensive source for your aviation training needs.

EXCELLENCE:

• We love what we do and are passionate about aviation, safety standards, weather and many more flight operations areas.  It has been our unique experience that passion breeds excellence.
• We strive for pulling together industry best practices and best technologies to build a very comprehensive and industry best curriculum.
• We train our own instructors.  We don’t simply hire instructors who have training
• Curriculum and customer service.  The bottom line is that we expect a lot from our instructors and so should you.