RAM AIR called today..

[belchfire]

Good luck on the interview! Richmond is in a really nice part of the
world...little too much summer, but you can live with it.
Ram Air was a competitor to my former employer (ex Catbird)...I hung around the RDU base and picked up work from them and took it to CLT. The morale seemed good, and their mx appeared
better than my ships were getting, but that was back in 2000...

I don't know what your current financial situation is, but you won't be getting rich hauling trash in a seneca! On the other hand, I kind of miss that kind of flying. The experience is unbeatable (outside of maybe flying off carriers)...and I'm not
getting that much more now.

If you end up going flying into Roanoke, watch your a$$! I don't remember if it is an SDF or LDA with glidepath to 6 (I think), but
in any case, there's stratogranitus solidus glaore! Whatever the
approach is, stay on the course!

 

[colored_airman]

I flew for Ram Air many moons ago. I was based in ROA, first 3 months I flew the Lance then the Baron 58 afterwards. All night, IMC (idiot messin'in clouds), ice, single pilot, you name it. Only stayed there for 7 months, and got hired by Pinnalce. Because of the high turn over there, guys were leaving in 5-7 months, I dont think I can refer to anyone there. But I will never forget my brothers from Norway, At the time half of the pilot group was from there. The guys there do take care of you. I was surprised that they paid me during training which is only $50/day for a week
at the time but it was more than what Pinnalce paid during training which is ZERO.

One thing about ljving in Roanoke, it was boring to me. There was very little to do there unless you like hiking, a very quiet town.

Flying there its too bad, Belchfire mentioned the LDA 6 approach, maintain the GS isn't as critical as maintaining the LOC because you are desending into a valley with 3600ft mountain peaks on both sides of you. The approach is more challenging with the passing of a cold front, you better have your balls strapped on tight for that. One last thing about the LDA 6, study the miss approach procedure, dont make the same mistake one poor aviator in a V-tailed Bonaza made by turning the wrong way.
Icing is a bitch in the winter, Valley fog is a bitch in the summer, but you will enjoy it, for me it was valuable experience being a
FREIGHT DOG.

 

[upndsky]

Going into ROA in IMC does raise the pucker factor a couple of notches, especially if you don't do it on a regular basis and you have limited mountain flying experience. "Hey, what's that mountain goat doing in a cloud bank?"

ROA is no longer a base, but we still have 3 or 4 flight that go in their daily. As for maintenance, if it's broke, we fix it. That doesn't mean that the plane are shiny and look like new. All are almost 30 years old and flown HARD. $hit will and does break. But I've never felt pressure to take an airplane with a known safety defect.

BTW, pay during training is gone. It's a good thing it lasts only one week.

 

[belchfire]

Shiny airplanes? I'd rather have one with
fingerprints on the cowlings and panels...
That way I know someone has been working
on it!

Paid training? Sweet! I don't know if they were
doing that in my days, I did call them, but went
with catbird cause they only had the one base
in Lincon County NC, and it was closer to home.

Dude, if you can afford to do it, or can make the
sacrifices, go for it! Sounded like you were from
out west...the cost of living is lower out here.

Again, good luck. Unfortuantely, you won't be
able to move on as quickly as many of the
posters did due to slow hiring...but you will
have fun and get some really good experience.

 

[colored_airman]

Wow it seems alot has changed since I was last there 3 years ago, changes for the better I hope. I wish I had the oppurtunity to fly a twin from the start, flying the Lance out on my first night in Roanoke was a real ball buster. My prior experience was a CFI in the eastern portion of MD, flat farm land. Since hiring has slowed hopefully the pay is little better than when I was there, only made $70/run.
Good Luck to you guys and fly safe.

 

[Kaman]

Hi Guys,
Man, you think that LDA 6 is a tricky approach. Try the VOR-DME A. It's a real eye-opening experience to be with an instrument student and watch how closely Tinker Mountain slides by on the right!
Overall, once you get used to flying in and out of Roanoke and some of the other smaller uncontrolled fields like VJI, MKJ, etc... you adapt to it. However, absolute situational/postional awareness is a must flying with terrain in all quadrants.
For all you RAMEX folks, will any hiring be going on in the next 6-9 months?

Thanks,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[buckdanny]

Congrats! I don't fly for Ramair, but my buddy from college did a few years back. He only had good things to say about the company. I filled the online app. myself last winter but never heard a word and they tok it offline thereafter. Good to hear that they occasionaly take some of us! Good luck to you and let us know how things go for you over there.

Buck

 

[PumpkinPony]

I'll second Kaman on that VOR DME A approach.. I did that once in marginal VFR, and decided that was one approach I really didn't want to have to do in actual.

I'm one of the pilots that just left the RIC base. I had a lot of fun flying for Ram, and never had any major complaints about the maintenance. Other than having to fly without a heater for the last month.... but hey, put on more clothes! The RIC pilots get the best pay, like $90/day, and you get a raise after 6 months and after 1 year, plus medical and cell phone reimbursement. No training contracts to sign. I was making enough there that when I interviewed with CommutAir earlier this year and saw their pay scale, I stayed with Ram! I'da been taking a 40% pay cut to go to CommutAir. Horizon will be paying me just barely slightly more than Ram for first year pay...

 

[SoCalFlyer]

I aplied to Ram Air a while back but have hear no response. How long after you applied did they call? Did somebody recomend you or walk in your resume? Good luck on the interview!

 

[pilot1704]

RAM AIR GREAT COMPANY!

Good luck and congrats!

Worked for them almost 2 years great people and great company!

Maintanence is good and you dont have to be scared to tell them if things aint work in your airplane!

Salary could be better but you can survive since living expenses is lower in those areas!

Airport in Richmond area is called Hanover has localizer 16 approach and fall time fog might be problem. There is Huge truck stop 1 mile from final on 16 wich is good landmark!

If you work from OFP you probably fly to baltimore, norfolk and charlotsville and maybe Roanoke!

You fly a lot I think I got around 1300 hours first year.

Salary you max out I think it was 108$ when I was there!

Say hi to Frank, Lotta-Leena they are few of the great people there!


Safe flying

Marko