(Inside the OCC ) … Who Runs The Aviation Industry At The Core? … Hint: It’s not the flight crew.
No, it’s not the flight crew, heard about the OCC Operations Control Center? . The aviation industry is alive and safe because of an office named as OCC Operations Control Center.
As the name suggests, it is a center, a conglomeration of important offices who are responsible for the day-to-day regulation of the flight operations from dispatching crew members, solving their and passenger’s problems, to dispatching flights on their respective routes.
You see, it is the heart of an airline in the aviation industry because it monitors all the flight activities taking in the air from the ground. The officers working in it have only one goal: to maintain safe and efficient flight operations at a minimum cost.
It is not hard to imagine what a turmoil it would be in an OCC Operations Control Center, but without any doubt, it is for the best of everyone involved. Let’s warp that turmoil and see closely what lies behind the scenes of an OCC.
Inside The OCC Operations Control Center
Bring your last flight in your mind and think how easy all of it seemed on the surface.But, little did you know that underneath all of it. In fact, there are some esteemed individuals trained to perform unbelievably mentally and physically exhausting tasks. In order to keep your journey safe and sound – and for that matter, consequently, keep the industry running.
The people at the OCC Operations Control Center are active 24/7 to handle all the daily tasks revolving flight operations. Every member has his/her own place in the center. And, none of them can work exclusive of the other person. Some are expert flight planners, some are meteorology gurus. While, others know how to solve every kind of problem arising in the flight operation.
Let’s meet them.
1. Flight Dispatcher
Just like Garry Kasparov rules the chess world, a flight dispatcher rules the operations on the ground. He/she manages them, plays with his/her own cards to conquer the never-ending game against cunning opponents. Normally, weather, technical difficulties, fuel monitoring,outstations, and ground handling tasks.
Just because of his/her importance in determining whether a flight should leave or not, he/she has to think ahead of his opponents. And, take decisive action against them. For him/her, there’s no margin of error.
That goes to say that he has many faces. He is part meteorologist, part air traffic controller, part aircraft technician, and part financial expert. He uses all of his expertise to prepare a flight plan that has the precision of a surgeon fish.
2. Flight Dispatch Support Specialist
Every Flight Dispatcher won’t be able to concentrate on what matters if Flight Dispatch Support Specialist is not looking after paperwork behind his back.
That paperwork is, obviously, important. It covers flight and landing permits that have to be obtained from the relevant countries. So, we can call them the ambassadors of the OCC.
3. Ground Operations Coordinator
While the Flight Dispatcher controls and organizes flight operations, a Ground Operations Coordinator is responsible for making the journey of the passengers top-notch and on-time, whether they are boarding or leaving.
Imagine you left London Heathrow for Dubai International airport and your flight got severely delayed due to bad weather conditions. You think you won’t be able to make your connecting flight in Istanbul and that’s when the Ground Operations Coordinator’s role jump in.
He/she’d make sure you do not miss the connecting flight and before you could know it,he would have made arrangements for your journey. Thus, his work ensures that passengers like you face inconvenience as less as possible.
4. Flight Operations Coordinator
Also known as the Ops Control, the Flight Operation Coordinator keeps a stern eye on the flight and the weather. He/she checks whether the flight has icing or refueling problems or not. He also sees short-term aircraft scheduling and every other functional problem that can occur in the outstations or elsewhere.
Ops Control does everything at the same time, thus, setting a prime example for human multitasking.
Even if he blinks an eye, the airport would see nothing but catastrophes as faulty aeroplanes would make their way towards their doom.
5. Operations Duty Officer/ OCC Operations Control Center
King Midas turned everything into gold upon a single touch. Similarly, an Operations Duty Officer sees the bright side of a situation and turns every failure into success by employing his vast aviation knowledge.
At the end of the day, every decision directly or indirectly related to flight operations, the D/O should always make the best one. Thanks to his encyclopedic knowledge, the route contradictions, optimal fuel consumption, and everything in between. He determines and solves them all within a few hours or even minutes.
Since he/she is the one who untangles all the twines, his office lights stay on 24/7.
6. Crew Dispatcher
The name of this position says it all.
A Crew Dispatcher checks that all the flight attendants are on their duty. In a circumstance where one or two flight attendants are stuck in a traffic or held up by fog, the Crew Dispatcher calls on an off-duty attendant to take their place – even if it is 3 a.m.
Of course,dragging crew members out of their beds has its perks, but at the end of the day, he’s the one who comforts them and solves their problems.
7. Flight Dispatch Manager
Sometimes the head of the OCC, a Flight Dispatch Manager is a senior official who manages and ensures that his team comprising of the above members is working smoothly. For him, the knowledge, quick response, reaction, and clear mind of his team members is more important than a cup of Joe.
Life at the OCC Operations Control Center is nothing short of a turmoil, indeed. However, after going through a tough day, making sure everyone reaches safe and sound to their destinations is the epitome of human responsibility. This responsibility can only be taken by those who value human life more than anything and train vigorously for it.
Here at AVISAV, we never take someone’s safety for granted and that’s why we employ training and safety protocols widely accepted in the industry. We develop key aviation QSMS software solutions, that is user friendly and easy to use and understand, so that everyone can participate in safety .
Please feel free to browse our website for more information. Even then, if you feel you have some questions unanswered, we are here to answer them for you. Just contact us.