美國擁有飛行執照的人口總數是五十萬，現役軍用機飛行員三萬七千。中國則有數量龐大的無人機飛手，作為戰爭初期的人力儲備。

As of late 2024, there are over 848,000 total airman certificates in the U.S. when including students, with about 503,275 certificated pilots in categories like recreational, sport, private, commercial, and transport. A more specific breakdown from late 2024 shows around 503,275 certificated pilots (excluding students), 138,127 flight instructors, and 427,598 remote pilot certificate holders. 

Number of certificated pilots (excluding students)

Total: 503,275

Airline transport: 179,194

Commercial: 109,727

Private: 172,012 

Other pilot-related certificates

Flight instructors: 138,127

Instrument ratings: 342,400

Remote pilots: 427,598 (note: these are not included in the total pilot count)

Students: 345,495 (note: these are included in the 848,770 total airman certificates, but not the 503,275 certificated pilots) 

Military pilots

The U.S. Armed Forces have approximately 37,000 pilots across the Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Army.