Why Ram Air Freight (RAF)?
Many airline recruiters for commuters and regionals like candidates with Part 135 experience because they know those pilots do well in weather conditions such as dense fog, thunderstorms and icing situations. Additionally, simulator evaluations and intense new-hire training require sharp instrument skills. Flying for RAF will allow you to gain that necessary experience.
Since 1982, Ram Air Freight has been the mid-Atlantic leader in check-hauling, currently with approximately 30 airplanes. With headquarters in beautiful Raleigh, North Carolina, and bases throughout the region, our routes extend to 10 different states and more than 50 airports, ranging from small, uncontrolled fields to high-density Class B airports.
Bottom line: Everyone who leaves RAF and comes back to chit-chat says this job was the most fun they've had in aviation.
I heard that freight haulers have lousy maintenance, is that true?
Yes and No. A lot of freight haulers do have lousy maintenance, and they quickly go out of business by either not offering 100% reliability to their customers or by FAA certificate action. Ram Air Freight has in-house maintenance, complete with two work shifts. In addition, we perform 100-hour inspections not because we are required to, but because we believe it is the safest way to operate our fleet. Don't be surprised, however, to find lousy paint jobs, stained upholstery, etc. Again, we feel it is safer to put money into the pieces and systems that count since freight doesn't care in what style it arrives, so long as it gets there in one piece.
I didn't see any multi-engine minimums. Do you require any?
No. Ram Air Freight actually prefers applicants with little multi-engine time. Our philosophy is that you'll stay longer to build the necessary multi-engine time to move onto the airlines or other positions. We will accept pilots with higher times both total and multi-engine, but our reluctance grows if the person is nearly qualified for other career-advancing pilot positions. Simply put, we need to amortize our training costs over a longer period to remain competitive in the market and to offer attractive pilot salaries.
If I don't meet the minimum requirements to fly IFR PIC Part 135, can I still apply?
No, sorry. We do not employ SIC's, and neither our General Operations Manual nor our insurance permit riders. In the past we have employed VFR PIC's, for which the minimums were lower than IFR, but we now only employ IFR PIC's.
What is your typical profile for a new-hire?
In general, RAF hires pilots with 1,200-1,800 hours and no Part 121/135 experience. We can't emphasize enough the phrase "in general", since exceptions always come along.
A strong candidate has 1200-1800 hours, low multi-time (fewer than 200 hours), CFII and MEI, and at least 50 hours in PA28 / PA32 / PA34 / PA44. This too is "in general," and subject to change as our needs increase.
Speaking of multi-engine time, how soon will I transition?
All new-hires start in the Piper Lance. Upgrades to the Piper Seneca II vary as senior pilots move on to other jobs and new runs are added. As they do, multi-engine slots become available.
How many hours can I expect to fly?
After your initial check ride, you are usually a standby pilot filling in for vacationing or sick pilots. This lasts for about 1-3 weeks, depending again on attrition and new business. Unlike other operators, when you are needed on standby, you are still being paid. Additionally, runs have a variety of flight hours, and are chosen based on seniority. Overall, the average pilot during the first year will fly approximately 800 hours.
What is the schedule like?
Since 90% of RAF's business is flying bank checks, flights are only conducted M-F, excluding holidays. Also, the majority of flights (90%+) depart between 1300 and 1500 local, and return between 1900 and 2300 local. Very few flights involve late nights or early mornings. Imagine a flying job with weekends and holidays off, and afternoon show-times!
Pilots bid for flights on the web each quarter.
What is the corporate culture like?
RAF is a professional organization focusing on safety, customer relations and productivity. However, our dress code is purely casual; shorts, company issued polo shirts, etc. After-work get-togethers and barbeques are frequent events. Also, from the President to the Chief Pilot, the door and discussions are always open.
How long is the training?
Before ground school, you will receive a new-hire packet completely on CD-ROM or USB memory stick which will include materials that must be completed before arriving at RAF. Ground schools start on Monday and continue through Friday, with flight training usually starting on Tuesday and ending on Friday. If an applicant is proficient when they arrive, they will take their checkride early in the week after the week of training. So, on average, about 7-10 calendar days to be online.
Also, after your successful check ride you are afforded several days off, if necessary, to move your belongings and set-up housing arrangements.
Show me the money!
RAF pilots are paid $85/day for the first year and $100/day for the second year.
Where are pilots based?
The majority of pilots are based in Raleigh (RDU) or Concord (JQF)/Charlotte (CLT); however, there are numerous "out-bases" or pilot domiciles throughout the system that are home to between one and three pilots. This, again, is based on seniority and operational necessities.
What other benefits are there?
Health insurance and dental are also available through the company if the employee chooses. The employee pays a portion to opt into the plan (ask for current details and rates during the interview). A simple IRA retirement plan is available after two years of employment.
Where do pilots go from RAF?
Most pilots go on to regional airlines, fractionals, corporate flight departments and other freight haulers. RAF pilots are well respected in the aviation industry, and prove to be successful after leaving. Maintaining our reputation is one of the several reasons that RAF does not tolerate incompetent or unsafe pilots.
Also, unlike many other companies, RAF will not fire you, assign you lousy runs, treat you badly, etc. when you are actively looking for another job. We understand that at times we are a "commuter college", and we are happy to see pilots advance their careers. We just ask that pilots let us know they are "blasting out" resumes so future ground schools can be accurately scheduled and filled.
What are the pitfalls for new-hires?
There are two major items that will wash you out. First, your instrument skills must be up to ATP standards. This means if your last 100 hours were dual-given, you might be rusty in the left seat. Moreover, you should be ready for a check ride in about 4-6 hours of flight time; prior wash-outs have all stated that this is reasonable, except they did not have recent "stick time." Therefore, we strongly suggest you grab a safety pilot and do a couple of mock instrument check rides prior to coming to Ram Air Freight, preferably in a Piper Arrow, Lance or Seneca, or at least in something high-performance, shooting approaches at 110 KIAS.
Second, if you think RAF is like the half-baked charter operator on the other side of your home airport, you are mistaken. Our training is intense and professional, involving PowerPoint presentations, hands-on emergency drills, GPS simulation and written examinations.
Again, just to re-emphasize -- there is a direct correlation between recency of flight experience and completion of training.
Why are the expectations so intense? I mean, we're just flying checks...
Two reasons mainly. First, RAF exceeds industry averages for flight hours per incident/accident; we WILL keep it that way. Second, pilots who have left RAF say that their transition to the airlines was less stressful because of our training. The airlines just play with bigger numbers...the rules of the game, procedures, etc. are virtually the same.
Clinton Festa
Chief Pilot
