Nathalia Filgueiras, a 20-year-old co-pilot, was part of a growing trend of teenage pilots earning their licenses and taking to the skies, with 914 people ages 16 to 19 holding commercial flight certificates in 2025, up from 693 the year before. The bottom line is that the number of teenage pilots is on the rise, with many earning their licenses before finishing high school, sparking a closer look at safety regulations and training requirements.
By the numbers, the Federal Aviation Administration estimated that 914 people ages 16 to 19 held commercial flight certificates in 2025, a significant increase from the previous year. Investors will note that this trend is driven in part by an industry push to attract more young adults into the field, with many high schools adopting aviation curricula and scholarship programs to support young pilots. The figure that matters is the number of students enrolled in these programs, with over 34,000 students across more than 1,700 high schools taking part in the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s nearly decade-old aviation curriculum.
Background And History
The rise of teenage pilots is not a new phenomenon, but rather a growing trend over the past decade. Many young people are getting an early start in their aviation careers, with some earning their private pilot’s licenses at age 17. Ethan Guo, for example, obtained his private pilot license at 17 and is Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)-rated, enabling him to navigate using instruments without visual ground references. By age 19, he had logged over 700 flight hours, having flown to all 48 contiguous U.S. states and crossed the Atlantic Ocean three times.
How It Works
To become a licensed pilot, teenagers must meet the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) licensing requirements, which include passing a written exam and logging a certain number of flight hours. The Palm Beach County School District, for example, paid for Filgueiras’ license as part of a high school aviation academy, where students practice flying on simulators and drones. Many high schools have adopted similar programs, with students starting their training as early as 16 and earning their licenses by age 17 or 18.
The Numbers
The numbers tell the story of a growing trend. This represents a significant increase in the number of young people pursuing careers in aviation. According to Katie Pribyl, acting co-president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the industry is expected to need to replace thousands of pilots each year, driving the demand for young and experienced pilots.
What It Means Now
The recent fatal Learjet crash in Florida has raised questions about safety regulations and training requirements for teenage pilots. Investigators are looking into the specifics of the crash, which killed Filgueiras and eight others on board. The incident has sparked a closer examination of the rules and protocols in place for young pilots, with many experts noting that the person on the radio during an emergency would not typically be in control of the plane. As Karen Kalishek, chair of the National Association of Flight Instructors, noted, Filgueiras’ control of the radio during the rapid descent was “unbelievable.”
What Comes Next
As the investigation into the Learjet crash continues, regulators and industry experts will be taking a closer look at the safety regulations and training requirements for teenage pilots. With the number of young pilots on the rise, it is likely that there will be increased scrutiny of the protocols in place to ensure their safety and the safety of their passengers. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, one thing is certain: the figure that matters is the number of safe and experienced pilots taking to the skies, and that number is likely to be closely watched in the coming months and years, with the next step being a potential review of the current regulations and training standards by the FAA.
According to Katie Pribyl, the industry is expected to need to replace thousands of pilots each year, and with the current trend of teenage pilots on the rise, it will be important to ensure that the safety regulations and training requirements are in place to support this growth, and that is a fact that investors and industry experts will be watching closely, with the FAA’s next scheduled review of the regulations set for 2027.
Sources
- They Can Barely Drive, but They’re Flying Planes: The Surprising Rise of Teen Pilots
- Ethan Guo
- Victims of Florida plane crash include a 20-year-old copilot and tech entrepreneur and his family
- Victims of Florida plane crash include a 20-year-old who got her pilot’s license as a teen – The Boston Globe
Photo: Horizon flights / Unsplash (Unsplash License)
