MOSAIC 2025: What It Means... For Now

By Gene Yarbrough

The long-awaited MOSAIC regulation finally published in the Federal Register, lets look at what it means and how it affects you.

The Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) final rule, announced by the FAA on July 22, 2025, introduces several significant changes impacting the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category and Sport Pilot privileges.

Here are the highlights:

Expands LSA Definitions and Criteria

• Removes the previous 1,320 lb maximum takeoff weight restriction
• Allows for performance-based criteria to define LSA eligibility, including higher speeds (up to 250 knots) and larger aircraft with features like retractable landing gear and constant-speed propellers
• Permits LSA airplanes to have up to four seats, however, Sport Pilots are still limited to one passenger
• Broadens the LSA categories to include fixed-wing airplanes, rotorcraft (helicopters and gyroplanes), and powered-lift (eVTOL) aircraft
• Allows for the use of new propulsion systems, such as electric and alternative power sources

Expands Sport Pilot Privileges

• Allows pilots operating under Sport Pilot privileges to fly a broader range of aircraft, including many of the new light-sport category aircraft and additional normal category aircraft.
• Retains the current limit of two occupants (including the pilot) for Sport Pilots.
• Allows Sport Pilots to operate aircraft at night, operate aircraft with retractable landing gear, and airplanes with constant speed propellers (with appropriate training and endorsements).
• Introduces limited commercial operations for Sport Pilots, including these activities:
  • Aerial photography and surveying
  • Banner towing and aerial advertising
  • Pipeline, powerline, and agricultural patrol
  • Search and rescue
  • Glider towing

Certification Process

• Moves towards a Statement of Compliance (SOC) process instead of the traditional Type Certificate (TC) and Production Certificate (PC) for LSA aircraft. This aims to streamline the certification process and reduce regulatory burden on manufacturers

Maintenance and Repair

• Revises privileges for Light-Sport Repairman certificate holders to align with the expansion of LSA aircraft categories
• Allows Light-Sport Repairmen to conduct condition inspections on amateur-built aircraft of the same category and class for which they are certificated
• Revises requirements for manufacturer-issued safety directives and for performing repairs and alterations on light-sport category aircraft

Implementation Timeline

• Pilot Privileges & Maintenance Certification: These changes will take effect 90 days after the final rule is published in the Federal Register
• LSA Aircraft Certification Changes: These more substantial changes will be implemented 365 days (one year) after the final rule's publication

The official date for the new rules for sport pilots and repairmen is October 22, 2025, based on the publication of the final rule in the Federal Register on July 24, 2025. Therefore, the LSA certification changes will become effective on July 24, 2026.

The long-awaited updates are designed to promote innovation, enhance safety, increase the accessibility of recreational aviation, and potentially address pilot shortages, according to the FAA.

They also open the type and class of aircraft to those looking for more capable aircraft but prohibited from holding medical certificates allowing them access to such aircraft. There are thousands of pilots chomping at the bit, waiting in the wings get in, or back in, the aviation industry. Hopefully that in flux will prove beneficial and profitable to a withering industry in desperate need of financial opportunities.

MUCH More Info to follow... 

FMI: www.faa.gov/