MOSAIC

What the FAA MOSAIC rule (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) means for sport pilots, light-sport aircraft, and homebuilders.

As of October 2026. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Always check the FAA sources below and talk with your instructor or an EAA Technical Counselor before you fly or build.

The short version

MOSAIC is the biggest update to the sport pilot and light-sport aircraft rules since they were created in 2004. It lets sport pilots fly many more airplanes, opens the door to bigger and more capable light-sport aircraft, and gives light-sport repairmen more privileges.

EAA calls it “Sport Pilot 2.0.” EAA says that on October 22, 2025, about three-quarters of the general aviation fleet became open to sport pilots (EAA, Sport Pilot 2.0, viewed October 2026).

Key dates

• July 24, 2025. The FAA published the final rule in the Federal Register (Federal Register, July 24, 2025).
• October 22, 2025. Phase one took effect: sport pilot training, certification, and privileges; light-sport repairman rules; maintenance rules; tow hitches; and Class G airspace and right-of-way rules (FAA MOSAIC Fact Sheet, December 2025).
• July 24, 2026. Phase two took effect: the new certification rules for light-sport category aircraft, removal of the old “light-sport aircraft” definition, and related operating limitations (FAA MOSAIC Fact Sheet, December 2025).

For sport pilots

Before MOSAIC, a sport pilot could only fly aircraft that fit the old “light-sport aircraft” definition, with strict weight and speed limits. Now the limits are based on performance instead (FAA MOSAIC page, updated April 2, 2026).

A sport pilot may now fly an airplane that, since its original certification, meets these limits (Federal Register, July 24, 2025, new 14 CFR 61.316):

• Stall speed. A clean stall speed (flaps up, called VS1) of 59 knots CAS or less, at maximum takeoff weight. For aircraft other than airplanes, the limit stays at 45 knots CAS.
• Seats. The airplane may have up to four seats, but a sport pilot may still carry only one passenger (two people total).
• No weight or top speed limit. The old weight and airspeed limits are gone.
• Engines. Any type of powerplant except turbojet.
• Cabin. Not pressurized.

With extra training and a logbook endorsement, sport pilots may also fly aircraft with retractable landing gear and airplanes with a manually controlled (constant speed) propeller (FAA MOSAIC page, updated April 2, 2026).

Night flying is now possible for sport pilots too, with training and an endorsement. For night flights you need an FAA medical certificate or BasicMed (FAA MOSAIC page, updated April 2, 2026). For daytime flying, the medical rules for sport pilots did not change (Federal Register, July 24, 2025). See our BasicMed page for more.

Sport pilots can also add a new helicopter privilege, limited to light-sport helicopters with the new “simplified flight controls” designation (FAA MOSAIC page, updated April 2, 2026).

For light-sport aircraft owners and buyers

Starting July 24, 2026, new light-sport category aircraft can be larger and more capable (FAA MOSAIC Fact Sheet, December 2025):

• The fixed weight limits are gone.
• Airplanes may have a stall speed (landing configuration, called VS0) up to 61 knots. Gliders may go up to 45 knots.
• Light-sport airplanes may carry up to four people. Other light-sport aircraft may carry two. (A sport pilot is still limited to two people on board.)
• Electric motors, more than one engine, new propeller types, and retractable gear are allowed.
• New kinds of light-sport aircraft are allowed, including helicopters, gyroplanes, and powered-lift.

New light-sport aircraft and kits delivered on or after July 24, 2026 must meet new consensus standards accepted by the FAA (FAA FAQ, Manufacture and Certification of LSA, viewed October 2026).

Maintenance. Owners can now make minor repairs and minor alterations to light-sport aircraft without the manufacturer’s approval. Airworthiness Directives are still mandatory. Following a manufacturer’s safety directives is recommended but voluntary (FAA MOSAIC Fact Sheet, December 2025). The FAA strongly encourages owners to follow those safety directives anyway (FAA FAQ, Maintenance of LSA, viewed October 2026).

For homebuilders

• Flying your homebuilt as a sport pilot. The sport pilot limits above apply to any aircraft, including experimental amateur-built aircraft. If your homebuilt meets them, a sport pilot can fly it (Federal Register, July 24, 2025, new 14 CFR 61.316).
• Condition inspections. A light-sport repairman with an inspection or maintenance rating can now do the annual condition inspection on an experimental amateur-built aircraft. If your aircraft’s operating limitations were issued before October 22, 2025, you will need to ask the FAA for revised operating limitations that allow this (FAA MOSAIC Fact Sheet, December 2025; FAA FAQ, Maintenance of LSA).
• Your builder’s repairman certificate. The experimental amateur-built repairman certificate (14 CFR 65.104) did not change (FAA MOSAIC Fact Sheet, December 2025).

Learn more

• FAA MOSAIC home page (updated April 2, 2026)
• FAA MOSAIC Fact Sheet (December 2025)
• The final rule in the Federal Register (July 24, 2025)
• EAA: Sport Pilot 2.0 (MOSAIC) (viewed October 2026)
• EAA news release: MOSAIC rule takes effect (October 22, 2025)

Have a question about how MOSAIC affects you or your project? Bring it to a chapter meeting or to the VMC/IMC Club, which meets the second Wednesday of each month. Our members are happy to talk it through.

Questions about this page? Email EAA-HQ@eaa430.org.