Ram Air Flight Training
- Thread starter pilot4500
- Start date
pilot4500
IT Architect/ Former Cirrus Charter Pilot
Well after being with the company for 4 months, I am finally getting an upgrade into the twin. Next week I start training in the Piper Seneca. I will doing training in the morning followed by a single engine run in the afternoon. The only drawback about this is that I will probably have to move to Hanover, VA once my training is done to do a Seneca run out of there. I can't complain though. I will finally be getting that sweet wonderful multi time!! :nana2:
pilot4500
IT Architect/ Former Cirrus Charter Pilot
Will do.
LAFF
New Member
Thanks for the tour of the RAM facilities and Concord airport. I wish you the best of luck and if you are ever in DC or wish to visit let me know. I'll be more than happy to be tour guide...The National Mall is beautiful in the summer months and there is plenty to do. I like the all you can eat Indian food places...<grin>
-LAFF
ADIZFlyboy
Well-Known Member
is RAM like Airnet where you can get hired below part 135 mins and do the SIC thing until you get the time or do they already want you to have the time? I've heard a lot of good things about RAM and I hear them on the radio every now and then at HEF.
pilot4500
IT Architect/ Former Cirrus Charter Pilot
As of right now, RAM is not hiring people below the 135 mins. I would not be surprised to see that change since we are desperate for pilots right now. I think they are running about two classes a month in Raleigh, but it still isn't enough to keep up with the turnover. Everybody is going to the regionals once their contract is up. For the moment, you still need the 135 mins to apply though.
LAFF> I am glad that you liked the tour of the Concord facility. I might see you around DC sometime.
ADIZFlyboy
Well-Known Member
how long is a contract for? have you guys moved away from check hauling with that bill that passed a few years back or is that still the backbone?...hanover is a pretty nice airport..on the plus side there's a great amusement park pretty much right across I-95 (Kings Dominion)
Im not sure if Flightexpress is still hiring VFR 135 line pilots but they were last month. Four out of six of us were VFR. We have a 1000 dollar bonus and no contract but you must stay longer than six months otherwise you have to owe them back. Pay is 12/hour duty time with a minumum of 90/day if under 7.5 hours. If you max out 14 hour duty day like im doing now thats 43k a year. Multi time will take about a year to get to though.
I tried and tried to get on at Ram Air but I was 60 hours short on TT. They told me that couldnt take me until I had the 1200 but they would right at 1200. At the same time FlightExpress called me and told me to come to training so here I am. I wish we had bases in NC though.
I tried and tried to get on at Ram Air but I was 60 hours short on TT. They told me that couldnt take me until I had the 1200 but they would right at 1200. At the same time FlightExpress called me and told me to come to training so here I am. I wish we had bases in NC though.
pilot4500
IT Architect/ Former Cirrus Charter Pilot
As was stated earlier, the contract is for 6 months. You can buy out of it early if you want to. Check hauling is very much the backbone of the Ram Air operation. We have one run that we do for UPS, but everything else is hauling checks. I'm not sure what the Richmond/Hanover area is like. I guess I will find out soon. Plus I will have to find a place to live up there.
CaptChris
New Member
4500--your coming to OFP??? Thats where I was flying for RAMEX.... I live about 5 mins from OFP right now, feel free to drop me a note if you need any info on the area! Pretty cool place, the runs are easy (couriers are ALWAYS late though)... what run are you starting with....850?
Good old Seneca...
If I were you the FIRST thing I'd do is become good buddies with the mechanic at Heart of Virginia Aviation--his name is Jim. He saved my butt several times... one time myself+Jim called Ops and told them that the a/c couldn't leave OFP. Day off with pay He is an awesome guy though, and Lotta trusts him more than she does her pilots... let me know if you need anything man. We can grab some lunch or something if you want.Chris
I'm a low time (350 hrs) single engine pilot with IFR rating considering investing some of my pension into upgrading my credentials (multi-engine, comm, etc.). I'm 57 & I know the chances of an airline hiring me are slim to none but I want to earn back my investment. Some schools are $30,000 & more to take me to the level I'm interested in. Myy question is are there companies that will consider a low time pilot ?? I'm giessing I will be around 600 hrs. by the time I complete my training. It looks like Ram Air wouldn't even consider me however, some of the regional airlines are advertising for 500 TT !!! I'm to old to build my hours as a CFI although I may get that rating. Any suggestions ??
Flight Express was hiring 500hr VFR 135 pilots a while back. I'm not sure if they still are doing it though. You could probably send a private message to MTSU av8er and he can tell you more about it.
The last class had someone at about 700 tt. The class on monday will have someone at about 600tt. Im not sure how long thats going to last but I highly suggest calling. Im kinda doubting that will take much less though.
pilot4500
IT Architect/ Former Cirrus Charter Pilot
It looks like I will be staying here in Concord after all. I am pleased about this. I have a place to stay here in north Charlotte that I am very happy with. Plus I have a very good chance of getting a twin run out of CLT or JQF when the next bid cycle comes out.
Ram Air is desperate for pilots right now. I heard some rumors of possibly hiring people with less than the 135 IFR mins, but those are just rumors at this point. For the moment, you still need the 135 mins to apply.
Twin training has been going well. The Seneca is not a bad plane to fly, but it does have some quirks. I have been doing multi training in the morning followed by an afternoon run in the Lance. It makes for some long days but I am finally getting multi time. I can't complain at all.
Ram Air is desperate for pilots right now. I heard some rumors of possibly hiring people with less than the 135 IFR mins, but those are just rumors at this point. For the moment, you still need the 135 mins to apply.
Twin training has been going well. The Seneca is not a bad plane to fly, but it does have some quirks. I have been doing multi training in the morning followed by an afternoon run in the Lance. It makes for some long days but I am finally getting multi time. I can't complain at all.
TFaudree_ERAU
Mashin' dem buttons
Word on the skreet (i.e. from the person who invites candidates to training) was that after this current class, which is finishing up this week, they weren't going to take any more VFR guys for a while.
pilot4500
IT Architect/ Former Cirrus Charter Pilot
After being at Ram Air for six months now, I have finally completed my upgrade into the twin. I passed my checkride in the Seneca a few days ago, and I was doing a Seneca run in bad weather that same day. I will be doing the same run until the end of the month when the current bid cycle ends. After that I am not sure which run I will be doing.
It is so nice to finally be flying something with two engines. I should be able to have my pick of regionals once I rack up the multi time. On this run I get about 5 hours of flight time a day. And the best thing about it is that it is MULTI time. I am sitting at about 2550 TT and 25 multi right now, and that 25 is coming up quick.
I would also like to say that if any of you guys are interested in flying for Ram Air, we are hiring every pilot we can get our hands on. And I think they are still hiring VFR only pilots as well.
It is so nice to finally be flying something with two engines. I should be able to have my pick of regionals once I rack up the multi time. On this run I get about 5 hours of flight time a day. And the best thing about it is that it is MULTI time. I am sitting at about 2550 TT and 25 multi right now, and that 25 is coming up quick.
I would also like to say that if any of you guys are interested in flying for Ram Air, we are hiring every pilot we can get our hands on. And I think they are still hiring VFR only pilots as well.