Following discharge from the RAAF in 1981, Ruff flew with Cargomasters on the L382G (L100-30) until Alaska International Air wound the company up in 1983. He then flew with Air Niugini as a flight engineer on B707’s and in 1986 Ruff did the ground school for the A300 and was awaiting simulator training when Ansett offered him a B727 flight engineer position, which he accepted.

Ruff was a Check Flight Engineer on the B767’s for some 18 months before the company folded and when flight engineer positions were no longer available, Ruff took a redundancy rather than a ground position. He then formed his own company and some time later was approached by Ansett Maintenance Development to assist in engineering compliance for the B767’s.

Although Ruff never flew on the C130As, it is interesting to note that he was the flight engineer on the first 'A' Model to leave Laverton 1983. Fellow flight engineer Jack Reilly gave Ruff a flight manual and showed showed him how to get the engines running. After all Ruff did hold a FAA Flight Engineer's Licence for turboprops at the time.

Ruff is now working part-time for a business importing and exporting brake parts for trucks, mining and industrial machinery.

Served Vietnam: 08/10/69 - 09/10/69.