Association Represents Some 50 Air Cargo Carriers

Potential cargo pilot candidates can apply for currently open scholarships from the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA) program.

“We hope to attract pilot candidate to fly for our members,” said President Stan Bernstein. “Flying for a RACCA carrier is a valuable way to build flying time and the experience gives our pilots an advantage when applying for airline jobs. Cargo operations allow pilots to rapidly build their hours with experience flying on a schedule, in inclement weather, dealing with inflight icing, fuel, cargo, technical and procedural issues in complex aircraft. In our operations they also gain experience with standard operating procedures, night flying, operating in the air traffic control system, cockpit resource management issues and required recordkeeping, all of which are part of airline operations.”

RACCA, representing approximately 50 air cargo carriers, many of which feed the FedEx, DHL and UPS networks, provides scholarships to assist in the payment of tuition, flight training, or to obtain new or additional licenses. The organization makes two awards each year in November and introduces its scholarship winners during its annual meeting. The next meeting is in April 2017 in Scottsdale. Candidates will be considered without regard to race, gender, religion, disability or national origin.

To qualify for the $1,000.00 scholarships, applicants must be:

• A college student currently enrolled in an accredited aviation program.
• A resident of the United States.
• Currently carry a Grade Point Average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

One scholarship has the additional requirement of obtaining a letter of introduction from an existing RACCA member or RACCA associate member since the goal is for candidates to learn about the air cargo industry. If there is a RACCA member or associate member in a candidate’s immediate area, candidates should arrange to visit their operation and become familiar with all the opportunities in the growing air cargo industry. If there is no member close, candidates should call a member and tell them who you are and ask questions about the air cargo industry.

“Providing scholarships to deserving young people interested in a career in aviation is one of the most important efforts RACCA undertakes each year,” said Bernstein. “The RACCA Aviation Scholarship was established for the purpose of promoting and assisting in pursuing aviation as a career choice and to make students aware of the opportunities in the air cargo industry.”

The deadline for applications is October 15, 2016 and the selection will be made by November 30 each year and distributed on December 15 to an accredited school each year.

FMI: www.raccaonline.org/images/scholarship/2016%20RACCA%20Scholarship%20award%20info.pdf