FAA Finalizes Major Overhaul of Light Sport Aircraft Rules

New MOSAIC regulation expands airplane options and pilot privileges under light sport category.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 02:10 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announces the new MOSAIC change on Tuesday at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. [Credit: Ryan Ewing]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA's new MOSAIC rule significantly expands the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category, replacing weight limits with performance-based criteria to allow for larger, faster, and more complex designs, including aircraft with up to four seats, retractable landing gear, and alternative propulsion systems.
Sport pilot privileges are greatly expanded, allowing them to fly at night, operate more complex aircraft (including helicopters and powered-lift), and use advanced systems, while maintaining a two-person occupancy limit.
The rule also introduces new opportunities for limited commercial activities under the LSA framework, such as infrastructure inspection, aerial photography, and agricultural observation, aiming to increase the availability and versatility of safe, modern aircraft.

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The FAA has finalized its long-awaited Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule, implementing broad changes to the light sport aircraft (LSA) category and sport pilot privileges.

Signed on July 18 and unveiled at EAA AirVenture on Tuesday in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the rule marks the most sweeping update to this segment of general aviation since 2004, the agency said.