![A wide range of light aircraft and the pilots that fly them will be positively affected by the implementation of MOSAIC. [Credit: Leonardo Correa Luna]](https://flyingmag1.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/20140103-20140103-LCL_6838-copy-e1714073838126.jpeg?width=1200&height=675)
The first phase of Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) is now live.
In July the new rule was announced by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with the promise that within 90 days of the date (Wednesday) the vast majority of the single-engine general aviation fleet would be legally accessible to those holding sport pilot certificates. Additional changes to the rules regarding aircraft certification will follow in July 2026.
MOSAIC is much more than a rewrite of the 2004 light sport aircraft (LSA) rule that defined them by their certificated weight (1,320 pounds for land aircraft, 1,420 pounds for seaplanes). MOSAIC is the result of about 20 years of discussion between the FAA and a multitude of aviation advocacy groups such as the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).
- READ MORE: Pilots Have Questions When It Comes to MOSAIC
- READ MORE: FAA Finalizes Major Overhaul of Light Sport Aircraft Rules
Under the new regulation, the weight limitation for LSAs was removed and replaced with performance limitations. The primary limitation will now be a “clean” stall speed (VS1) of 61 knots calibrated airspeed. The aircraft can have up to four seats, although when flown by a sport pilot they are limited to the pilot and one passenger. In addition, sport pilots are now permitted to fly aircraft with controllable-pitch propellers and retractable landing gear, provided they receive additional training and an endorsement.
The new rule means a great many vintage single-engine aircraft that in the past were beyond the LSA weight limit now fall into the category. This includes several models of Ercoupe, Piper Cherokee, Diamond, Cessna 140 and 150, and Cessna 172. It potentially opens up another revenue stream for flight schools that do not have traditional LSAs in the fleet but receive inquiries from certificated sport pilots looking for aircraft to rent for training or time building.
Sport pilots wanting daytime flight privileges are not required to have an FAA medical as they can fly with a current U.S. driver’s license, provided they can still meet the requirements of cFAR 61.53, which states that a person shall not act as pilot in command (PIC) or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember while they know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make them unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.
For night operations, sport pilots must be able to qualify for either BasicMed or a standard FAA medical certificate and receive specific training and the proper endorsement.
Another change is that sport pilot applicants may now count up to 2.5 hours of training done in a category- and class-qualified flight simulation training/aviation training device toward certification.
New Designs
MOSAIC also allows for more LSA aircraft designs to be certificated, as the 2004 LSA rule demonstrated that designs could be certified by consensus through the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards with a minimum of FAA oversight.
Industry officials note the lack of the need for FAA involvement should lower the cost of aircraft certification.
More Changes in July 2026
The next update for sport pilots is cFAR §22.180, which defines simplified flight control certification.
The regulation states that pilots are required to have model-specific training and an endorsement for all simplified flight control aircraft they fly. This includes flight instructors who wish to teach in this type of aircraft unless they fall under an “initial cadre” designation as indicated in 61.195(n).
