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Pilots in Virginia
20,694 active pilots lived in Virginia at the end of 2025, making it the 14th largest pilot population in the country and 2.3% of the US total. Of those, 8,452 were student pilots and 3,609 held a flight instructor certificate.
Active pilots
20,694
#14 nationally
Students
8,452
41% of pilots here
Instructors
3,609
one per 2.3 students
By certificate
Where in Virginia
Pilots by city of residence, from the August 2026 releasable file. That file omits airmen who decline address release, so treat these as relative weight between cities rather than counts — see methodology.
- Virginia Beach776
- Alexandria509
- Arlington328
- Chesapeake290
- Norfolk268
- Leesburg226
- Richmond212
- Williamsburg206
- Fredericksburg199
- Ashburn175
- Fairfax171
- Lynchburg159
The people who keep them flying
Virginia is home to 6,163 certificated mechanics — one for every 3.4 pilots in the state.
- Flight Attendant7,135
- Mechanic6,163
- Ground Instructor1,915
- Flight Engineer555
- Repair men426
- Parachute Rigger411