Sport Pilot certification under MOSAIC

The first changes of the MOSAIC rule, the FAA’s Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification, went into effect last month. More changes will follow in July 2026.

How does MOSAIC affect the Sport Pilot certificate at Wings of Eagles? Previously, our Sport Pilot certification was limited to our Cessna 162 Skycatcher at Wings of Eagles Smyrna (MQY). But MOSAIC changes the game. Read on to learn more.

Article summary:

• • • Sport Pilots are no longer limited by an aircraft’s maximum weight, but by Calibrated stall speed (KCAS).
    • The limitations for Sport Pilots and light sport aircraft are now separate from each other, offering Sport Pilots greater access to a larger variety of aircraft, and encouraging manufacturers to develop more capable light sport aircraft.
    • Sport Pilots may now enjoy greater access to Wings of Eagles’s expansive fleet of Cessna 172s and more.
    • Students interested in earning their Sport Pilot certification will find more Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) to be eligible for their checkrides.

     

MOSAIC is a big deal for general aviation pilots, with expanded Sport Pilot privileges and an important modernization of the certification of light sport aircraft.

First of all, what is a Sport Pilot certificate, and why would I get one?

The Sport Pilot certificate was developed in 2004 to make general aviation more accessible to more pilots. It allows the holder to fly light sport aircraft without meeting all the requirements of a Private Pilot certificate.

The requirements for a Sport Pilot certificate at Wings of Eagles are:

• You must be at least 17 years old
• U.S. citizen or TSA approval to take flight lessons
• Read, speak, and understand the English language
• Valid Driver’s License
• Wings of Eagles Aviation requires at least Basic Med for all Sport Pilot training

The major MOSAIC changes to Sport Pilot privileges and limitations, which went into effect in October 2025:

• Sport Pilots may now fly airplanes with four seats.
• Sport Pilots are still limited to two occupants (pilot + passenger). No change there.
• Previously, the aircraft that Sport Pilots could fly were limited by takeoff weight. Under the new rule, there is no takeoff weight limit.
• With the new rule, the aircraft that Sport Pilots may fly are limited by stall speed. For airplanes, the stall speed limitation is 59 KCAS (no flaps).
• No max airspeed.
• Sport Pilots may fly airplanes with controllable pitch propeller and/or retractable landing gear, but they require additional training and instructor endorsement.
• Night flying is now allowed with additional training and instructor endorsement. Basic Med or Third-Class Medical is required.

The major MOSAIC changes to the definition and categorization of Light Sport Aircraft (LSA):

• A light sport aircraft (LSA) was previously defined as an aircraft that had to meet strict limitations, including max takeoff weight, max airspeed, max stall speed, and more.
• The types of aircraft that are considered to be light-sport category aircraft are now determined by stall speed, not weight limit. For airplanes, that stall speed limitation is 61 KCAS (flaps extended).
• No max weight.
• Max airspeed 250 KCAS.
• Any propeller is acceptable.
• Fixed or retractable gear.
• Max seats: four for airplanes, two for other types of aircraft.
• The rule also opens up the light sport category to helicopters and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

For aircraft that already exist, these changes to Sport Pilot privileges went into effect in October 2025. Changes affecting airworthiness certification of new aircraft will take effect on July 24, 2026. That’s also when the “light sport aircraft” definition will be removed from 14 CFR 1.1. Special airworthiness certificates issued to qualifying aircraft will be granted to “light-sport category aircraft” instead.

For more information about the MOSAIC changes to Sport Pilot privileges and limitations, and a look at the light sport aircraft category, check out this helpful FAQ assembled by the AOPA.