Revolutionizing Light Sport Aviation: The FAA’s MOSAIC Rule
The Federal Aviation Administration has officially released its long-awaited Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) final rule. This marks a significant regulatory change for general aviation, one that experts are calling the most impactful in decades.
Announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, the MOSAIC rule fundamentally transforms Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) regulations. The shift is from weight-based restrictions to performance-based standards.
Under the new rule, sport pilots can fly aircraft with stall speeds up to 59 knots. Meanwhile, private pilots can operate aircraft stalling up to 61 knots. This change potentially opens up to 70% of the current general aviation fleet, including popular aircraft like the Cessna 172.
Key Changes
- Removal of the previous 1,320-pound weight limit
- Allowance for LSAs to have up to four seats
- Permission for retractable landing gear and constant-speed propellers
The rule also enables aerial work operations such as infrastructure inspections and agricultural surveillance.
“This is one of most significant rule packages for general aviation in the past 75 years,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman. “This creates what can be called Sport Pilot 2.0.”
The pilot privilege changes take effect 90 days after publication (October 2025), while LSA certification changes become effective in July 2026. This timeline allows manufacturers time to develop new standards.
Source: https://generalaviationnews.com/2025/07/23/long-awaited-mosaic-final-rule-released/