FAA Numbers 2012

US Civil Airmen Statistics

Table 17

Pilot--Total 89,640
StudentE 54,370
Recreational 52
Sport 528
Airplane
Private 16,571
Commercial 8,651
Airline Transport 6,396
Rotorcraft (only) 2,892
Glider (only) 180
Flight Instructor
Certificates 1/ 4,116
Instrument Ratings 2/ 9,643

8,651 NEW COMMERCIAL PILOTS. People still want to be pilots even at regional pay rates. Now I understand why regional airlines want pay cuts. If you think the regional airlines are going to have trouble please help me understand why.