Airline Pilot Forums

I saw an ad on find-a-pilot where Ram Air Freight is hiring pilots for VFR 135 operations. Anyone know what their VFR pilots are doing? Are they simply flying freight in VFR conditions and, if so, what are their limitations. I know it would have to be VFR, but is it limited to day operations and is there a distance limitation? Can you only carry boxes Part 135 VFR or can you carry pax as well? Thanks and sorry if this is a dumb question.

Don't know anything about RAM's deal. I would be interested in how they handle a schedule.

As far as 135 VFR in general,

I flew VFR 135 once in passenger ops in a 172 and a 310. I took a checkride with the POI at the FSDO, which was pretty much all under the hood with approaches. Even though you fly VFR, they expect you to handle unexpected IFR conditions. There was no distance limitations, and I flew into places like BWI, PIT, and DCA (yes, it was back in the day). The company had to be selective on which trips I was assigned to because of weather, and if there would sometimes put an IFR pilot on alert to bump me if I couldn't do it.

Gauley pretty much has it right. Now there's another interpretation I've heard of, but haven't really seen it in use is you can have a VFR guy file and fly IFR, but only if the departure and destination airports are to be VFR at the appropriate departure and arrival times.

Gauley pretty much has it right. Now there's another interpretation I've heard of, but haven't really seen it in use is you can have a VFR guy file and fly IFR, but only if the departure and destination airports are to be VFR at the appropriate departure and arrival times.

I've heard that exact thing as well. Never looked too deep into it tho

I know this thread is pretty much over but for those who come back to it if RAM starts picking back up VFR 135 pilots again...

My MEI from back in the day use to work for RAM. They were hurting back in the beginning of this thread due to the lowering of 121 mins.

The plan was to fly strickly VFR 135 during revenue flights (no limits to day, night, or distance). On empty legs (non-rev) you are flying more or less under 91 and would fly IFR.

Looked at them as well. Pay sucks, but you can't beat the show times and the experience in flying in weather as unpredictable in the SE.

Good times.

You said it. I've been looking at them for awhile too just for the experience. They seem to be a great 135 company to work for other than the pay. If you're willing to relocate from the RDU or CLT area multi transition comes pretty quick. I just can't seem to make myself justify the pay cut at this time.

Does anyone know if Flight Express will hire only with 135 VFR mins? My last instructor was hired by them but didn't make 135 IFR mins so he flies VFR for now till he gets more hours. Didn't see anything about it on the website.

VFR 135 mins? What are those and can you serioulsy get a job with them?

VFR 135 mins? What are those and can you serioulsy get a job with them?

500TT is the only hard one to get for low-timers, everything else just falls into place. As far as jobs, Scenic 135 operators out west use these guys all the time.

Right, but would a company such as Ram Air operate using VFR 135 guys (seriously)? Their website says the standard Single-pilot IFR 135 mins. Nothing was mentioned about operating VFR.

Does anyone know if Flight Express will hire only with 135 VFR mins? My last instructor was hired by them but didn't make 135 IFR mins so he flies VFR for now till he gets more hours. Didn't see anything about it on the website.

Flight Express has hired 135 VFR pilots recently, if you have over 500 hundred hours plus a few other requirements (the closer to 1200 the better) send in an app or give them a call. Who was your instructor by the way?

Right, but would a company such as Ram Air operate using VFR 135 guys (seriously)? Their website says the standard Single-pilot IFR 135 mins. Nothing was mentioned about operating VFR.

The answer is Yes, because all these 135 operators are hurting for pilots, and this is about the only way to get folks online with them, vs. going to an airline. Just the way the industry is right now.

Wow! What a state to be in! But, in all honesty, what else can these smaller operators expect, right? If their pilot base is heading to fly jets with half the time that they require as 135 operators, they are going to have to bend the mins a little and adjust their operating scheme a little bit.

If that was me, meaning the operator, I would be flying my VFR guys to the max every damn day I could to get them up to the IFR mins. Their insurance rates for VFR 135 guys has to be outrageous. Of course, of 3 years that I was stationed in SC, I can't really recall many hard IFR days. Sure, there were the gully-washer thunderstorms that came up, but one could usually find some place to sit it out for an hour while it passed.

You said it. I've been looking at them for awhile too just for the experience. They seem to be a great 135 company to work for other than the pay. If you're willing to relocate from the RDU or CLT area multi transition comes pretty quick. I just can't seem to make myself justify the pay cut at this time.

Do they operate twin turbines?

Not sure. the largest a/c the advertise is the C402. Due to their limited route structure, I think a turbine (even a small one), would be overkill for them.

I don't think Ram-Air has anything turbine.

Last I heard or saw Ram Air operated all pistons. Here a posting on climbto350 for VFR 135 pilots to do flight training for them until you reach IFR mins and can move up to the line:

September 26, 2007
AMERIFLIGHT (FAR 91 Training Captains)
http://www.climbto350.com/asp/address.aspx?jobID=13420
Tel: (818) 503-2898 (Recorded Information)
http://www.climbto350.com/asp/faxnumber.aspx?jobID=13420
Email: Click here to Apply (http://www.climbto350.com/resume/mail_resume.cfm?JobId=13420&mID=7129857033)
Web Site: http://www.ameriflight.com/Employment/employment.asp (http://www.ameriflight.com/Employment/employment.asp)
http://www.climbto350.com/asp/description.aspx?jobID=13420

Sorry that last post didn't work out like I had hoped. For the most part they are looking for the 500TT, 25 Night X-C, etc...

Flight Express has hired 135 VFR pilots recently, if you have over 500 hundred hours plus a few other requirements (the closer to 1200 the better) send in an app or give them a call. Who was your instructor by the way?

I wish I could apply, I'm still working on my commercial. Eric was my last instructor he has red hair based out of CRG. Nice guy

I wish I could apply, I'm still working on my commercial. Eric was my last instructor he has red hair based out of CRG. Nice guy

I'm in the same boat working on my commercial also. I work at Flight Express in dispatch that's why I asked. He's a good guy, I've met him a few times when he passes thru ORL. Good luck with your commercial.

FLX has hired a bunch of VFR guys in the last 6 months or so. One guy wound up taking his IFR checkride during his baron upgrade after 4 months. Those results are of course not typical, but they're possible. You'll definitely be expected to fly part 91 legs under IFR, to minimums, in ice etc etc. so be careful what you get yourself in to. That said, I found it was a great place to work.

I don't know what the pay is like at Ram, but the money at FLX is really not bad at all considering the experience level. I recently left to fly bigger equipment, but the pay is about the same.

Telecaster: Is this M. from dispatch? MC here from CPS. How are things back in sunny florida?

Their 210 are certified for known ice? What training do they put their pilots through for 210 known ice?

Most of the 210s are known ice certified. Flying out of CPS, I can't remember ever flying one that wasn't. Mostly TKS planes up north, with the occassional booted plane rotated in from the more southern bases. TKS works great on the 210. As far as training, well, it's covered in groundschool, but frankly if you're there you should already know the basics of ice, I'd think. You definitely have to "learn as you go" somewhat once you hit the line.

Telecaster: Is this M. from dispatch? MC here from CPS. How are things back in sunny florida?

Yes it is and things are crazy as usual. We're still trying to find someone for your run! How is the MOO treating you?

What? No one wants to hang out in beautiful Springdale? I thought short stack (D from BNA) was going to take it? And what happened to the VFR guy I flew with?

The Mooooo is fine. An ace like me can fly anything at any time. Just kidding. It's really big and loud and goes real fast and there are a bewildering assortment of dials and levers and buttons and stuff. So far I've just been pressing stuff randomly and we seem to be getting there ok.

What kind of equipment does RAM start you out in?

Last I heard it was a lance then a seneca. This info is a year plus old, but at that time, upgrades were around a month.