![MOSAIC defines light sport aircraft by stall speed, not gross weight, making it possible for legacy single-engine trainers like the Cessna 150 to be flown by sport pilots. [Credit: Meg Godlewski]](https://tbh.express/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/What-FAA-Data-Shows-About-Student-Pilots-and-a-Younger.jpeg "What FAA Data Shows About Student Pilots and a Younger Pilot Population")
The U.S. student pilot population continued to grow in 2025, according to newly released FAA airmen data, while the overall pilot population trended younger and the number of women pilots continued to increase.
The FAA counted 370,286 active student pilots at the end of 2025, up from 345,495 in 2024 and 222,629 in 2020. Total active pilots also rose to 887,519, compared with 848,770 a year earlier.
At the same time, the average age of active pilots fell to 42.1 in 2025 from 42.5 in 2024 and 43.9 in 2020. The average age of student pilots, however, edged up to 35.8, indicating growth in the training pipeline is coming from both younger entrants and older newcomers.
Women Pilot Growth Reaches Six Figures
Women also made up a larger share of the pilot population. The FAA reported 100,704 active women pilots in 2025, up from 91,694 in 2024 and 58,541 in 2020. Among student pilots, women totaled 60,764, or 16.4 percent of the category.
Elsewhere, the FAA reported 118,314 active commercial pilots in 2025, up from 109,727 a year earlier, while the number of instrument-rated pilots increased to 355,473 from 342,400.
Certificate issuance data showed a mixed picture. Original private and commercial certificates both increased in 2025, but student pilot certificates issued declined to 58,761 from 61,353, even as the active student pilot population continued to expand.
Explore FLYING’s interactive dashboard below for a closer look at the FAA’s 2025 airmen data.
FLYING Data
The FAA’s annual airmen census shows nine straight years of growth, a generational age shift, and the first time women pilots have topped 100,000. Click any chart element to drill down.
Total active pilots
887,519
+4.6% year over year
Women pilots
100,704
+9.8% year over year
Avg. pilot age
42.1 yrs
Down from 44.9 in 2016
Remote pilot certs
492,311
+15.1% year over year
Historical trend explorer← select categories
2016–2025 · Toggle certificate categories on and off to compare
Age distribution← click a bar for details
Click any age group to see certificate breakdown
Women in aviation
Women crossed 100,000 active pilot certificates for the first time
Average age trends
The pilot population has dropped nearly 3 years in average age
Checkride pass rates← click a row
Calendar year 2025 · Examiner-administered practical tests · Click for details
| Certificate | Tests | Pass rate | Distribution |
|---|
Pilots by state← click a state
U.S.-based pilots · Click any state to see certificate breakdown
Categories in decline
Indexed to 2016 = 100%
Flt. engineerRotorcraftRecreationalFlt. navigator
The drone crossover
Remote pilots approaching parity with non-student traditional pilots
Remote pilotsNon-student pilots
Source: FAA 2025 U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics, Aeronautical Center, Oklahoma City, Okla. Remote pilot certificates are not included in FAA pilot totals. Student certificate counts are cumulative (certificates no longer expire as of April 2016). Checkride pass rates reflect examiner-administered original practical tests only.
