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Porter Airlines

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Dash 8-400 Direct Entry Captain (Toronto & Ottawa)

Dash 8-400 Direct Entry Captain

Join Porter Airlines as a Direct Entry Captain flying the modern De Havilland Dash 8-400 from Toronto or Ottawa. Lead with safety, deliver Porter’s Flying Refined service, and accelerate your career with rapid seniority growth and a fast pathway to a Canadian narrow-body jet Captain role.

  • Employer: Porter Airlines
  • Bases: Toronto Billy Bishop (YTZ) & Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier (YOW), Ontario, Canada
  • Aircraft: De Havilland Dash 8-400 (Q400)
  • License: Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) – Transport Canada
  • Minimum Total Time: 2,500 hours

✈️ The Opportunity

Porter is expanding and expects to welcome more than 1,200 new pilots over the next four years. As a Dash 8-400 Captain, you’ll benefit from industry-leading pay on type, rapid seniority progression, and a clear route to a narrow-body jet Captain seat in Canada—all while upholding the highest standards of safety and service.

🧭 Where You’ll Fly

  • Primary Bases: Toronto City Airport (YTZ) and Ottawa International (YOW)
  • Operation: Scheduled 705 airline operations across Porter’s network
  • Fleet: De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprop

🧰 What You’ll Do

  • Lead the flight operation as Captain, ensuring safe, efficient, and SOP-compliant performance on every sector.
  • Model Porter’s Flying Refined service by delivering a polished, passenger-focused experience.
  • Champion the Safety Management System (SMS): identify and report hazards, comply with the Company Safety Policy, and promote a proactive safety culture.
  • Foster open, honest, and respectful communication with flight and ground teams.
  • Exercise sound judgment, act proactively, and support constructive change through new ideas and methods.
  • Inspire teamwork, build consensus, and take a people-leadership role to achieve operational and service goals.

🧩 What You Bring

  • License: Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) issued by Transport Canada.
  • Total Time: Minimum 2,500 hours.
  • PIC Experience (one of):
    • 500 hours Pilot-in-Command on the Q400; or
    • 1,500 hours Pilot-in-Command on a heavy turboprop with MGTOW > 44,000 lb.
  • Preferred: Time on type and experience in CARs 705 operations.
  • Education (asset): Aviation college or university degree.
  • Work Eligibility: Legal ability to work in Canada proven by either a current, valid Canadian passport, or a current, valid international passport with a valid U.S. Crewmember Visa (C‑1/D).
  • Candidates who do not meet every minimum may be considered based on overall experience and other factors.

🌟 Why Fly with Porter

  • Industry-leading pay for Dash 8-400 Captains.
  • Accelerated seniority growth as the pilot group expands rapidly.
  • Fast pathway to a narrow-body jet Captain role in Canada.
  • Culture of professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

📨 Ready to Apply?

Opportunities are available at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) and Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW). If you’re a safety-focused leader who thrives in a collaborative, service-driven environment, we want to hear from you.

Only candidates who meet licensing and work eligibility criteria can be considered.

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