The Porter Airlines Cadet Program

provides you with a direct route to becoming a First Officer at Canada’s fastest growing airline.
Apply now

Grow with Porter.

Canada’s fastest-growing airline is now providing selected cadets with its fastest route to the flight deck yet! Porter has teamed up with Canadian industry leaders for ab initio pilot training, Cygnet Aviation Academy, and CAE to offer an airline-focused, cadet-centered training program tailored to Porter’s Dash 8-400 fleet. The Porter Airlines Cadet Program is underpinned by a Transport Canada-approved Integrated Airline Transport Pilot License (IATPL) training program, embedded with airline-oriented flight training, and taught by instructors with industry experience. Active Porter Airlines pilots are on hand to mentor cadets in training, providing them with a seamless transition to a pilot career in the Porter Airlines family.

Why become a pilot with CAE
1500+ cadets graduate annually from CAE

With numerous aviation academies located all over the world, no other organization places more pilots with more airlines than CAE.

300+ airline partners globally

CAE’s reputation of excellent training is underpinned by the numerous airlines that have chosen us as partners for their professional cadet pilot programmes – American Airlines, Air Transat, easyJet, Qatar Airways, Volotea and many more!

70 training locations and 6 pilot academies worldwide

At CAE’s global flight academies, you will train in a professional commercial pilot training environment, shaping your skills and mindset to easily adapt for your future aviation career.

75+ years of experience

Backed by a 75-year record of industry firsts, we are the training partner of choice for airlines across the globe and the global leader in full-flight simulator manufacturing.

Airline focused. Student friendly.

The Porter Airlines Cadet Program is based on a Transport Canada-approved Integrated Airline Transport Pilot License (IATPL) training program. Cadets will earn their Private Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with Instrument Rating and Multi Engine Rating, before proceeding to a tailor-made Dash 8-400 type training program to prepare them for their first airline pilot position on Porter’s Dash 8-400 fleet.

All ground school, flight hours, simulator training, first-time check rides, written exams and training materials required for successful completion of the program are included.

All on-aircraft training takes place at Cygnet Aviation Academy LP in Kingston, ON, while the Dash 8-400 type training is conducted at CAE’s Training Center in Mississauga, ON.

For fees, funding and other programme details, please click here.

Interested?

Welcome to Cygnet Aviation Academy LP.

Based in the student-town of Kingston, Ontario, Cygnet Aviation Academy LP is a professional flight training operation specializing in airline cadet programs.

Owned by Chorus Aviation Inc., Cygnet Aviation Academy LP's mission is to provide safe, state-of-the-art flight training preparing First Officer ready candidates for Canadian airlines. Cygnet Aviation Academy LP utilizes a fleet of Diamond Aircraft supported by advanced flight simulation training.

Cygnet Aviation Academy is Canada’s leading flight school for airline ab initio training. Cadets from Jazz Aviation, Air Transat and Porter Airlines learn to fly at Cygnet Aviation Academy before proceeding to the flight deck of their respective airlines.

Start here

Train in historic Kingston.

Kingston is a vibrant student town located at the beginning of the St. Lawrence River, halfway between Toronto and Montréal. Home to Queens University, Kingston boasts two film festivals and a vibrant downtown food and shopping scene. Kingston is a walkable city, where hidden alleyways contain antique markets and restaurant patios. Porter Airlines cadets benefit from Kingston’s affordable housing, large student community and array of activities on offer.

Flight training is conducted out of YGK; Kingston Airport. Two runways, an Instrument Landing System (ILS) and nearby practice areas make Kingston Airport an ideal base. The proximity to busy and complex airspace around Toronto, Montréal and Ottawa present cadet pilots with plenty of real-world training experiences.

Begin your application

Life at Porter Airlines

Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves a North American network from Eastern Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®.

  • 32 Embraer E195-E2 jets on order (+ 25 options!)
  • Hiring 1,200 new pilots in the next 4 years
  • Fastest upgrade possible to a narrow-body jet Captain role in Canada
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The Application Process

Make sure you are eligible: Canadian citizens or permanent residents with little or no previous flight experience are encouraged to apply. Candidates must posses a post-secondary degree.

Kick off your application by answering a few questions about your candidacy. As you proceed through the process, an assessment (at additional charge) and interviews will be required. If selected, a conditional letter of employment will be provided prior to commencing your training. After enrolling, you will begin your training at Cygnet Aviation Academy LP in Kingston for 18 months, before proceeding to the CAE Toronto Training Center in Mississauga, to complete your Dash 8-400 type training in 3 months.

CIBC and Scotiabank provide financing to cover all program costs. Details are available here.

Ready to apply?
Ready to apply?
Let's get to know you.

Let's start off with a few questions to learn more about you and your eligibility for the programme. Once this step is completed and you qualify for the programme, you will be redirected to our application portal.

Questions? Contact a training advisor.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] and a training advisor will be in touch.

Welcome to the Porter Cadet Program.

The Porter Cadet Program provides candidates with no previous flight experience with the required training to become an airline pilot with Porter Airlines. Open to people with a post-secondary degree or diploma, legally entitled to work in Canada and able to obtain a Canadian Category 1 Medical Certificate, the 22-month program includes a Transport Canada approved iATPL program and Dash8-400 type training in preparation for a first officer position Porter Airlines.

Supported by CAE

Launch a career supported by CAE, a world-class company, with over 75 years of high-tech leadership in training and simulation. Powered by 10,000 employees and 160 training locations in over 35 countries, CAE offers full pilot life cycle training, professional instructors and exceptional aftercare programmes.