PURPLE RUNWAY PROGRAM

THE Fast Track to the FedEx Trunk Fleet

THE Fast Track to the FedEx Trunk Fleet

| FLY WITH IFL GROUP...

AND GET ON THE RUNWAY

Welcome to the shortest path possible to a sought after career flying with Federal Express as a member of the Trunk Fleet.

Purple Runway is an accelerated program designed by FedEx that guides feeder pilots through the necessary steps to becoming a FedEx pilot.


For eligible candidates, you can start the program after just six months working with a qualified feeder airline, like IFL Group.

| THE PERFECT START...

WHEREVER YOU ARE ON YOUR JOURNEY

| ENTER AT ANY POINT

YOU'VE PUT IN THE TIME. SKIP WHAT YOU DON'T NEED!

1. 727 FLIGHT ENGINEER

Complete a year as a 727 Flight Engineer or have equivalent qualifications to become eligible for the next step.

2. JOIN THE PROGRAM

After six months with IFL Group, start the Purple Runway Program to advance your career.

3. FALCON 20 SIC

Transition to Falcon 20 SIC, fly 135, and the Falcon 20 until reaching ATP or restricted ATP (1-1.5 years).

4. PART 121

Transition back to Part 121 flying with a choice of various locations and aircraft.

5. CAPTAIN UPGRADE

Upgrade to Captain after 1000 hours as SIC under Part 121 rules and complete Purple Runway requirements

6. 500 HOURS

Finish another 500 hours as Captain (takes about a year) and schedule an interview with FedEx to achieve your dream career.

| ENTER AT ANY POINT

You've already put in the time... skip what you don't need!

01 727 FLIGHT ENGINEER

Begin as a 727 Flight Engineer for one year with IFL Group. This step is necessary to become eligible for the Purple Runway Program, unless you already have the necessary qualifications to skip it.

04 PART 121

After completing SIC Training, you'll transition back to Part 121 flying. You'll have a variety of different options and locations, such as flying the ATR 72-600 in Miami, the CRJ200 in Minnesota or Michigan, the CV5800 in Florida or Puerto Rico, or the 727 in Michigan.

02 JOIN THE PROGRAM

After working with IFL Group for six months, you're ready to begin the Purple Runway Program. This structured program offers college tuition assistance, advanced training, PIC time, and mentoring to guide you on your journey to becoming a FedEx pilot.

05 CAPTAIN UPGRADE

Once you've successfully completed the required 1000 hours as Secon in Command under Part 121 rules, you'll continue on your path, making the upgrade to Captain! Then, you can start finishing up the Purple Runway requirements.

03 FALCON 20 SIC

You'll undergo SIC Training and transition to Falcon 20 SIC. You'll fly 135 and the Falcon 20 until you reach ATP or restricted ATP.

This typically takes around 1-1.5 years.

06 500 HOURS

The final step in the Purple Runway Program is to complete another 500 hours as Captain, which typically takes around 1 year. Then,  schedule your interview with FedEx and be on your way to join the fleet and dream career as a FedEx pilot.

1 727 FLIGHT ENGINEER

Begin as a 727 Flight Engineer for one year with IFL Group. This step is necessary to become eligible for the Purple Runway Program, unless you already have the necessary qualifications to skip it.

4 PART 121

After completing SIC Training, you'll transition back to Part 121 flying. You'll have a variety of different options and locations, such as flying the ATR 72-600 in Miami, the CRJ200 in Minnesota or Michigan, the CV5800 in Florida or Puerto Rico, or the 727 in Michigan.

2 JOIN THE PROGRAM

After working with IFL Group for six months, you're ready to begin the Purple Runway Program. This structured program offers college tuition assistance, advanced training, PIC time, and mentoring to guide you on your journey to becoming a FedEx pilot.

5 CAPTAIN UPGRADE

Once you've successfully completed the required 1000 hours as Second in Command under Part 121 rules, you'll continue on your path, making the upgrade to Captain! Then, you can start finishing up the Purple Runway requirements.

3 FALCON 20 SIC

You'll undergo SIC Training and transition to flying IFL Group's Falcon 20. You'll fly Part 135  inside the Falcon 20 until you reach ATP or restricted ATP.

This typically takes around 1-1.5 years.

6 500 HOURS

The final step in the Purple Runway Program is to complete another 500 hours as Captain, which typically takes around 1 year. Then,  schedule your interview with FedEx and be on your way to join the fleet and dream career as a FedEx pilot.

| A New Career...

Flying On Your Terms

Purple Runway is open to you no matter where you are in your aviation career: fresh out of college or feeder airline experience.

We will guide your career to Jet Transition Training, and  you'll gain experience flying cargo planes, including the ATR-72 600, CRJ200, Falcon 20-5, and even the Boeing 727 Super. 

IFL Group has bases located throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and a relaxed schedule. It's simply the best way to put in your time and secure your position at FedEx.

| FLYING WITHIN THE
FEEDER NETWORK

As a feeder airline, IFL Group plays a crucial role in supporting the demand of FedEx air cargo needs. We have the ability to support many markets that may be too small for direct service. Our official carrier status and diversified fleet enables us to fly in and out of smaller airports and deliver time critical cargo throughout North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, supporting FedEx logistics operations.


Since 1990, IFL Group has been working closely with FedEx, developing a strong and reliable partnership. This partnership has now evolved into the Purple Runway Program, aimed at recruiting new pilots to join the FedEx Trunk Fleet.

| YOUR FAST TRACK TO

"THE BEST JOB IN AVIATION"

Flying as a pilot for the FedEx trunk fleet provides an unparalleled level of job security and competitive compensation. As a well-established global company with a long history of success, FedEx has a reputation for taking care of its employees, including its pilots.


In addition to job security, FedEx offers its pilots competitive compensation and benefits packages. Pilots receive excellent pay, health insurance, retirement benefits, and more. The company values the hard work and dedication of its pilots and rewards them accordingly. With these benefits, you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and provide for your family, all while doing what you love - flying.

| HANDS ON TRAINING

TO CLAIM YOUR NEW CAREER

You'll have the opportunity to fly a diverse fleet of aircraft and learn firsthand from experienced IFL Group pilots. The Purple Runway  program builds your career by offering:

Fly with us at IFL Group for six months and  you'll be on the fast track to one of the most sought-after careers in the aviation industry.

PIC TIME

IFL Group's training program emphasizes Pilot In Command (PIC) Time, which is critical to developing leadership and decision-making skills necessary for safe and efficient operations.


GUARANTEED  FLOW

The Purple Runway program is an accelerated path to a career with FedEx, designed to help aspiring pilots build the flight hours and experience needed to qualify for FedEx pilot positions.

HANDS ON TRAINING

From cutting-edge technology to complex operations, our advanced training program prepares employees for the unique challenges and opportunities that come with flying cargo for FedEx.


CAREER Mentoring

With experienced mentors and a supportive community, our career mentoring program is designed to provide employees with the tools needed to thrive.


| PROGRAM  ELIGIBILITY
UPDATED 09/10/2023

Purple Runway Program Eligibility
  • Must successfully pass the first upfront mainline interview with Fedex
  • Ability to hold a first class medical
  • Stable employment history
  • Pilot has not previously tested or interviewed with FedEx for a trunk position
  • Eligible to work in the U.S. and qualify for rapid visa issuance
  • Signed program authorization and commitment paperwork


Program Completion Eligibility

  • Acceptable attendance, reliability, and performance records
  • Complete initial evaluation and all recurrent evaluations
  • Complete minimum service and hour obligation to feeder operators: at least 36 months of active service and a minimum of 500 hours as PIC for multi-engine turbo prop aircraft
  • Possess an unrestricted Airline Pilot (ATP) Certificate.
  • Attend the FedEx Experience Summit
  • Complete an applicant profile on careers.FedEx.com/pilot.
  • Maintain ability to hold a first class medical
  • Acceptable training performance (no training or line check failures)
  • Successfully complete Jet Transition Course (JTC), administered no earlier than two years after enrollment date
  • Successfully pass the Panel and Situational-based Interviews


| FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

  • How can I join the Purple Runway?

    Get hired for a position at IFL Group, and you will be eligible after six months of employment.

  • Do you have to be employed at IFL Group to participate?

    Yes! You must be employed at IFL Group for 6 months before you can start the program.

  • Does the Purple Runway program guarantee me a First Officer position with FedEx express?

    No, successful completion of the Program positions the participant for preferential consideration during the process of selection and evaluation for a position as a FedEx mainline First Officer.

  • If a pilot has already interviewed at FedEx and was turned down, can they participate?

    No. The program is limited to Feeder pilots who have not previously tested or interviewed with FedEx for a pilot job.

  • How long will it take for a program participant to be eligible for hire at FedEx?

    At least 36 months of active service and a minimum of 500 hours as PIC for multi-engine aircraft.

  • Is there a limit on the number of Program Participants FedEx will hire?

    FedEx may impose reasonable limits on the number of participants enrolled in the program and the number hired as trunk pilots in any given calendar year.

  • Will program failures impact employment at the Feeder?

    No. Your performance on FedEx related milestones does not impact your employment at the Feeder.

  • How long does it “actually take” to being hired at FedEx?

    Our program has produced successful candidates in as little as three years (and four days exactly) to as long as five years. Your path and timeline depends on your flight time accumulation, and other opportunities at the Feeders.

  • Do I need an aviation degree to join Purple Runway?

    At this time, only an associate's degree is required to join the Purple Runway. 

    This degree, does NOT need to be in an aviation discipline.


  • What’s the relationship between Feeder airlines and FedEx mainline?

    FedEx maintains a contractual relationship with its group of feeder Operators with FedEx owning the aircraft and the Operators conducting all aspects (flight ops, a/c mx, flight following/dispatch, etc.) In short, our Feeders are independent regional airlines operating on behalf of FedEx Express.

| FIND OUT MORE

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