By Emme Hornung

For the final EAA Aviation Museum Speaker Series of 2026, join us on Thursday, November 19, at 7 p.m. as Cape Air Assistant Chief Pilot Dave Zarrella shares his experiences operating a fleet of light aircraft for such a unique regional airline, flying up and down the East Coast and to some of the most picturesque destinations in North America. He’ll also discuss his journey of working his way up to a career in the cockpit.

Fascinated by airplanes since he was a child, Dave’s aviation interests truly took off after a discovery flight at 12 years old. He earned his private pilot certificate and additional ratings just out of high school in 2005, but like many, financial barriers kept Dave from seriously pursuing a career as a pilot.

Dave got his first opportunity at Cape Air when they were hiring for summer help, where he started as a “rampie,” working the ramp, checking passengers, loading baggage, and fueling aircraft.

Founded in 1989 in Massachusetts, Cape Air first started as a direct flight from Provincetown to Boston in a Cessna 402. The regional airline has grown considerably in the decades since, with hubs in Boston, Montana, and the Caribbean. Still maintaining its fleet of 402s, they’ve also added Britten-Norman Islanders and, most recently, Tecnam P2012s.

While working the ramp, Dave also joined the Air National Guard in 2010 as an aircraft maintenance crew chief, doing repairs and inspections on C-130Js. A few years later, he moved to the maintenance operations center and has served in that role since. Dave has been deployed multiple times in both roles.

He applied for the pilot boards in 2014, but the Air National Guard denied him as he’d apparently aged out. However, in 2015 he got to participate in Cape Air’s Internal Gateway program, allowing him to build more hours and finish his training, first as a first officer, and eventually earning his ATP in 2017 to become a captain.

“The timing of that Internal Gateway was really perfect,” he said. “To finally fulfill that dream and fly with the same company is really something.”

In 2023, the assistant chief pilot opportunity became available, and Dave has been in that position ever since.

“We get to do the big airline stuff in a small package,” he said. “We tell our prospective pilots, just a heads up, there is not even a curtain between the so-called flight deck and the passengers. You’re the pilot, the flight attendant, you’re everything.”

He says it’s one of the best parts of the job — getting to know regulars on a first-name basis, introducing first-timers to the Cape Air experience, and just getting to interact with passengers. Another perk of flying the Cape Air fleet are the incredible views, with his favorites being New England’s fall foliage and pretty much anywhere in the Caribbean.

“We really do have the best view in the industry. You’re able to get almost a 360 view. You’re able to see out the front, the huge window on the side,” he said. “The highest we can fly is 10,000 feet, but our average is between 5-8,000 feet. Perfect vantage point to see a lot but also get the detail down low. It’s really cool.”

In addition to the popular tourist routes, Cape Air also provides essential air service, such as in rural parts of Montana with their hub in Billings. These routes can take an 8-hour drive for a medical appointment to just an hour-long flight.

With their main hub at Boston Logan International Airport, Cape Air regularly operates their fleet of light aircraft right alongside massive jets. “It’s very interesting putting yourself in the mix and maybe wind up next to a heavy,” he said. “It’s just threading the needle right next to the jets that are on final with us. We’re keeping up right until the end.”

Learn more about Dave’s journey, experiences, and Cape Air by joining us at the EAA Aviation Museum. Thursday’s presentation is free for EAA members and youths, and just $5 for nonmembers.

If you’re unable to attend, all Speaker Series presentations are recorded and will be available to members to watch here at a later date.

Speaker Series is supported by Alro Steel, Capital Credit Union, Community First Credit Union, Cozumel Mexican Grill, Kwik Trip, Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists, Pilotsmith, Sargento, and The Taqueria.