MOSAIC, Sport Pilot 2.0 and Light Sport Certification Updates

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Desert7GCBC

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The news from Oshkosh today is that the MOSAIC change to the FAA rules is imminent. This is a big deal but it seems pretty confusing. Please understand that I'm starting this thread in hopes that maybe we can put our heads together and understand this with more clarity.

My impression from reading reports from EAA and AOPA today is it seems basically any single engine aircraft (factory or experimental) that stalls below 61ks, has a top speed below 250kts, and has four seats or less can soon operate under something similar to what used to be called the Light Sport Category. This would involve a simplified Pilot's License with endorsements for night, retractable gear, and some other complex stuff.

In addition, it looks like it will be possible to obtain a Repairman's Certificate to perform inspections on an owned MOSAIC aircraft by completing a 16-hour course. (Similar to eCFR 14 CFR 65.107)

Looking forward to the comments...
 
Good write up


For a Private pilot or better
As a current private pilot, SP/LSA 2.0 makes it more attractive to access the privileges of a now more robust sport pilot certificate.

Fly many existing airplanes instantly (when implemented) with a driver’s license as your medical - Under the MOSAIC proposal, the LSA definition would be expanded to four seats and a “clean” stall speed (VS1) of 54 knots calibrated and a maximum level flight speed (VH) of 250 knots calibrated. A specific weight would not be part of a regulatory definition. This results in more aircraft being classified as LSA and available to fly as a sport pilot.

  • Avoid the uncertainty, hassle, and potential expense of dealing with the current medical processes (including a 1-time special issuance for BasicMed) with the simplicity of using a driver’s license as your medical certificate.
  • SP now means more choice of aircraft including the most popular existing models – allow you to continue to fly.to fly the aircraft of your choice as a sport pilot
  • The process to switch to SP privileges is simple. You don’t have to do anything. You can exercise sport pilot privileges under your existing pilot’s certificate immediately, without any paperwork or checkrides. Simply familiarize yourself with sport pilot privileges and fly accordingly.
  • Expands the potential for new aircraft entering the market, and expands the options of various categories providing more choices and greater flexibility to aircraft owners (i.e. E-LSA) including ready to fly and almost ready to fly aircraft.
Sport pilot

SP/LSA 2.0 brings exciting new and expanded opportunities for those who are current sport pilots.

Expand choice of existing and new aircraft to fly - No more 1,320-pound weight limit for LSA, providing access to a wider range of aircraft for sport pilot flying, including the Cessna 150, 152, 172 and some 182s, as well as many models of legacy Piper aircraft.

  • Expands the potential for new aircraft entering the market, and expands the options of various categories providing more choices and greater flexibility to aircraft owners (i.e. E-LSA) including ready to fly and almost ready to fly aircraft
  • Provides an easier transition and more standardization between training aircraft, rental aircraft, and potential ownership
  • Availability of more SP eligible rental aircraft at local flight schools/FBOs
Extend pilot privileges to activities such as night flying – Sport pilots would be permitted to fly at night with the proper endorsements. The current FAA proposal limits this to sport pilots holding a third-class medical certificate or BasicMed, but EAA submitted in its comments a way to provide alternate means to verify night vision minimums for sport pilots to earn their night-flying endorsements.

Operate higher performing and more capable aircraft - With proper endorsements, sport pilots would be able to fly aircraft with retractable landing gear and constant-speed propellers, thus providing more utility and expanded options for personal transportation.


Way too wordy official FAA doc
 
JackC said:
Expand choice of existing and new aircraft to fly - No more 1,320-pound weight limit for LSA, providing access to a wider range of aircraft for sport pilot flying, including the Cessna 150, 152, 172 and some 182s, as well as many models of legacy Piper aircraft.
Click to expand...
This should read "including The Champ, Citabria, Decathlon and a bunch of other aircraft."

These rules may not be as big of a deal to existing pilots but, it's focus is for creating New Pilots. The Aviation industry is shrinking fast as the "Baby Boomer" generation leaves the industry. MOSAIC should give the Aviation Industry that boost it's desperately needed for a very long time.

Owners will see price and availability of parts and supplies come down with more new aircraft coming to market. ASTM will make certificating a Light Sport Aircraft and parts much lower. Of course not all Owners want to be there own mechanic but, it will open the mechanic options up for owners.
 
Klaus M said:
This should read "including The Champ, Citabria, Decathlon and a bunch of other aircraft."

These rules may not be as big of a deal to existing pilots but, it's focus is for creating New Pilots. The Aviation industry is shrinking fast as the "Baby Boomer" generation leaves the industry. MOSAIC should give the Aviation Industry that boost it's desperately needed for a very long time.

Owners will see price and availability of parts and supplies come down with more new aircraft coming to market. ASTM will make certificating a Light Sport Aircraft and parts much lower. Of course not all Owners want to be there own mechanic but, it will open the mechanic options up for owners.
Click to expand...


I could see this raising the price on 172s and PA28s
 
Sully said:
And lowering the price on the older Light Sport qualified Champs and Chiefs.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about that, I’m not 100% sure as lots of the people going sport route were wanting “new(er)” airplanes as their frame of reference in quality was based on consumer products like cars and iPhones. Add to that tailwheel and how fat people are getting with the weight limits on our planes, I’m thinking it might not make much of any difference for us.

I could see it making odd places designed to be LSA like that sportstar thing go down while making certified commonly found staples like the 172/PA28/PA24 go up
 
Gonna guess the price of 172s is already beyond the pale. And rumors have it that our overheated training conglomerates are starting to slow down.
 
Bob Turner said:
Gonna guess the price of 172s is already beyond the pale. And rumors have it that our overheated training conglomerates are starting to slow down.
Click to expand...

One place I occasionally rent, when I’m away from home is in S FL, I rent a 172RG since that’s the only plane I can often book, let alone take for a full day or a overnight
 
Just an observation and personal experience....

The price of used aircraft is set by the engine. Many of the engines have lost support and that's setting the airframe price. Example: A Cessna 172 with an O-300 will sell for half of one with an O-320. Continental is not making crankshafts, camshafts and cases for O-300s, A, C and E -Series.

Even the Champs with A & C-Series engines are much less then one with a Continental Supported O-200. Who knows maybe MOSAIC will inspire someone to support the A,C & E-Series engines. :)

The engine overhaul price right now is another reason that Aviation is hurting. Just called around and got bids for an O-320 overhaul and they all came back over $40K. This is a MAJOR Safety issue if you ask me.
 
Klaus M said:
Just an observation and personal experience....

The price of used aircraft is set by the engine. Many of the engines have lost support and that's setting the airframe price. Example: A Cessna 172 with an O-300 will sell for half of one with an O-320. Continental is not making crankshafts, camshafts and cases for O-300s, A, C and E -Series.

Even the Champs with A & C-Series engines are much less then one with a Continental Supported O-200. Who knows maybe MOSAIC will inspire someone to support the A,C & E-Series engines. :)

The engine overhaul price right now is another reason that Aviation is hurting. Just called around and got bids for an O-320 overhaul and they all came back over $40K. This is a MAJOR Safety issue if you ask me.
Click to expand...


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Personally I have no intention of changing out the engine, maybe A75 it at overhaul one day, but that’s about it

The 300 was always a dog, a very smooth dog, but a dog none the less
 
Recent ruling by the FAA, referred to as MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification), Sport Pilot and Light Sport certification parameters have been updated and expanded in a way that decouples them from each other. This webinar goes into detail about the changes.

Click the link to view the webinar, the content starts at the 12 minute mark
 
Merged the thread I started with the MOSAIC thread that had already been started. Also expanded the thread title for future SEO. :)
 
I dislike Webinars, but am encouraged by the rules that go into effect on July 24, 2026. As I understand it, I may be able to test the Pietenpol at my home airport. My mainenance inspector dropped by last week, and we had an encouraging discussion.

No real details are published yet, but the overall gloss is that "certain aircraft" will be able to operate over congested areas under both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the experimental programs. That means me, I hope.
 
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