More Planes, More Flexibility, and Fewer Barriers to the Sky

The FAA’s new MOSAIC rule doesn’t just reshape how light sport aircraft are built: it changes what Sport Pilots can do. 

Starting in late 2025, pilots flying under Sport Pilot privileges will gain access to a much wider range of aircraft, which translates to enhanced accessibility, affordability, and flexibility across the board.

The most significant update was ditching the long-standing 1,320-pound limit, replacing it with stall speed. This change alone opens the door for popular aircraft like the Cessna 172 and Piper Archer to qualify under the new rules, bringing a huge boost to availability and training options.

Other upgrades include the ability to fly at night, use constant-speed propellers, and even operate aircraft with retractable landing gear with additional training and instructor endorsements. Simulator time will now count toward flight experience too, cutting costs and improving accessibility for new pilots.

The pilot certificate itself hasn’t changed: the same 20-hour minimum, solo cross-country requirement, and driver’s license medical still apply. But the opportunities afterward are far greater. A sport pilot can do more with the same investment, and a private pilot can choose to fly under sport pilot privileges without a current medical.

CFIs and CFI-S instructors will also see expanded authority. They’ll be able to train Sport Pilots in a wider variety of aircraft and issue new endorsements, including those for night operations and advanced systems.

MOSAIC doesn’t just modernize light sport; it redefines what “accessible flying” really means.

FMI: www.affordableflying.net