MOSAIC Final Rule Explained for Sport Pilots
What the FAA MOSAIC rule actually changes for sport pilots — aircraft eligibility, privileges, and what stays the same.
MOSAIC — Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates — is the FAA's overhaul of the Light Sport rule. It expands what sport pilots can fly and what counts as a Light Sport Aircraft. Here is the plain-English version of what changes.
What stays the same
- Sport pilot certificate requirements (§61.301-313)
- Driver's license medical eligibility
- Day VFR limitation for sport pilots
- One passenger limit
- 10,000' MSL altitude ceiling
What changes for sport pilots
The sport pilot privilege expands to include aircraft that meet new, broader criteria:
- Up to 4 seats (sport pilots may still only carry 1 passenger, but the aircraft itself can have 4 seats)
- Higher max gross weight — the prior 1,320 lb LSA limit goes away; the new limit is performance-based
- Higher Vs1 stall speed — up to ~61 knots clean
- Retractable gear and constant-speed props allowed
- More horsepower allowed within performance limits
What changes for LSA category aircraft
Under the new airworthiness rule, manufacturers can certify a much broader range of aircraft as Light Sport. This includes the Cessna 150/152, certain Piper Cherokees, and many existing four-seat aircraft that fall within the new performance envelope.
What it means in practice
After MOSAIC takes effect, a sport pilot will be able to fly:
- A Cessna 150 or 152 (long out of LSA territory under the old rule)
- A modern four-seat LSA like a Pipistrel Velis or Vashon Ranger
- Most of the current LSA fleet, including the Jabiru J230 and J250
- Aircraft with up to 4 seats and modest retract/CSP
What still requires private pilot:
- Night flight
- IFR
- Higher altitudes
- Carrying more than 1 passenger
- Larger or higher-performance aircraft outside MOSAIC limits
Timeline
The FAA published the final MOSAIC rule and it takes effect through 2026 with phased airworthiness compliance dates for manufacturers. Sport pilot privilege expansions are effective as the rule lists them — check the FAA's official summary for exact dates.
What this means for A4
Every aircraft in A4's current fleet — Jabiru J230-D, J230-SP, J250-SP — already meets the old LSA rule and remains qualified under MOSAIC. Sport pilots who train with us today fly the same aircraft they'll be able to fly under MOSAIC, plus more options as the fleet grows.