Sport pilot privileges expand in October

Aircraft with maximum speeds of 250 knots calibrated airspeed, retractable gear, and constant-speed propellers will now qualify as light sport aircraft under the highly anticipated Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC), which dramatically expands the LSA category and sport pilot privileges. Aircraft with flaps-down stall speeds up to 61 KCAS will be able to be certified as LSAs, and pilots will be able to operate aircraft with clean stall speeds of up to 59 KCAS under sport pilot privileges. AOPA advocated for many of the expansions in the final rule.

“MOSAIC reflects the extraordinary vision and technological innovation of small aircraft manufacturers across the country,” said AOPA President Darren Pleasance. “By expanding the kinds of aircraft sport pilots can fly—including many popular four-seat legacy aircraft—and by simplifying certification pathways, we are opening the door for more people to experience the freedom and joy of aviation.”

MOSAIC overhauls the rules governing aircraft with special airworthiness certificates, most notably LSAs. The rule affects three major areas: pilots, aircraft, and maintenance. It will allow pilots to fly faster four-seat airplanes under sport pilot privileges, removing the 1,320-pound maximum takeoff weight limit, and raising the maximum level flight speed from 120 KCAS to 250 KCAS. Sport pilots will be able to fly aircraft with retractable landing gear or manual controllable pitch propellers with additional training and endorsements; night operations will require additional training and endorsements, as well as BasicMed or a third class medical. The rule also opens the light sport category to helicopters and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Changes for sport pilots and light sport repairmen take effect on October 22, 2025, with changes for LSA certification following on July 24, 2026. AOPA and hundreds of other industry stakeholders have been hashing out standards for aircraft certification in an ASTM committee.

“This rule reflects years of hard work and persistence from AOPA and our industry partners to move general aviation forward into the next generation of flying,” said Jim Coon AOPA senior vice president of Government Affairs and Advocacy. “This is an amazing opportunity for existing and future aviators. It’s a great time to be in aviation.”