The Dawn of Sport Pilot 2.0: MOSAIC Rule Ushers in a New Era
The aviation industry marked a significant milestone on October 22, 2025, as the Sport Pilot 2.0 regulations officially came into effect. These transformative regulations, part of the MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rule, have dramatically expanded aircraft access for recreational pilots.
The new rule replaces the previous 1,320-pound weight restriction for light-sport aircraft with performance-based criteria, including a maximum stall speed of 59 knots. This pivotal change makes approximately 70% of the current general aviation fleet accessible to sport pilots. This includes popular aircraft like the Cessna 172 and Cessna 182, though pilots are still limited to one passenger.
“Sport Pilot 2.0 gives more people than ever the opening to pursue their dreams of putting themselves in the pilot seat,” said EAA CEO Jack Pelton.
The rule also brings additional benefits. It permits sport pilots to fly aircraft with retractable landing gear and controllable-pitch propellers, provided they have the appropriate training. This is a significant advantage for flight schools, as their existing training aircraft can now be used for sport pilot instruction. This could potentially attract more students to local airports.
The aircraft certification portion of the rule is set to take effect on July 24, 2026. This promises new aircraft designs with reduced certification costs, opening up even more opportunities in the industry.