Aviation Training Bounces Back: U.S. Practical Test Numbers Skyrocket
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported a significant surge in practical test completions for the fiscal year 2025. Designated Pilot Examiners conducted over 153,000 practical tests, a substantial leap from just over 129,000 in 2024. This represents an impressive 18.6% year-over-year increase, signaling a robust rebound in pilot training and certification activities.
The spike in practical tests is indicative of a growing interest in aviation careers and recreational flying. As the industry continues to recover and expand, the increase spans multiple certificate types. These include private pilot, commercial pilot, and various ratings, suggesting a broad-based growth across general aviation training sectors.
This rise in testing activity aligns with the aviation industry’s ongoing efforts to address pilot shortage concerns. It also highlights the industry’s drive to attract new aviators to both commercial and general aviation.
Source: General Aviation News