Visual guide 5 of 6
Light-sport after MOSAIC: before → after
The FAA's Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) final rule was published July 24, 2025 (90 FR 35034). It took effect in two phases: October 22, 2025 for most provisions (pilots, repairmen, maintenance) and July 24, 2026 for the listed aircraft-certification provisions. MOSAIC final rule, DATES Study materials written before 2025 are wrong on the items below.
The light-sport aircraft envelope
Bars are drawn to scale for the numeric rows. New-category eligibility also requires a non-pressurized cabin, no prior standard/primary/restricted/limited/provisional certificate, compliance with FAA-accepted consensus standards, and FAA inspection. Non-airplanes: max 2 seats; glider VS0 ≤ 45 KCAS; weight-shift VS1 ≤ 45 KCAS. 14 CFR 22.100(a)
Before → after, item by item
| Item | Before MOSAIC | After MOSAIC | Cite / effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Light-sport aircraft" definition | In 14 CFR 1.1 (weight, speed, seat, engine, prop, gear limits) | Removed from 1.1. New aircraft: light-sport category eligibility in Part 22; legacy limits preserved for older aircraft in 21.181(a)(3)(iv) | MOSAIC amdt. 3 · 22.100 · 21.181 — July 24, 2026 |
| Seats | 2 (incl. pilot) | Airplane 4; all others 2 (incl. pilot) | 22.100(a)(1)–(2) |
| Occupants in operation | — | S-LSA airplane: no more than 4 occupants incl. pilot; others no more than 2 | 91.327(f) — July 24, 2026 |
| Stall speed | VS1 ≤ 45 KCAS at max takeoff weight, most critical CG | Airplane VS0 ≤ 61 KCAS; glider VS0 ≤ 45; weight-shift VS1 ≤ 45 | 21.181(a)(3)(iv)(D) · 22.100(a)(3) |
| Max speed | VH ≤ 120 KCAS (glider VNE ≤ 120 KCAS) | VH ≤ 250 KCAS | 22.100(a)(4) |
| Weight | 1,320 lb (1,430 lb on water) | No weight limit for aircraft certificated on/after July 24, 2026 | MOSAIC preamble IV.E · 21.181(a)(3)(iv)(A) |
| Engine / prop / gear | Single reciprocating engine; fixed or ground-adjustable prop; fixed gear (except water/glider) | These are no longer eligibility limits for new light-sport category aircraft | 21.181(a)(3)(iv)(F)–(L) · 22.100 |
| Compensation (S-LSA) | No aerial work for hire | For hire allowed only for: towing specified in POH/limitations and SOC; flight training, checking and testing; aerial work specified in POH/limitations and SOC | 91.327(a) — July 24, 2026 |
| Manufacturer safety directives | Owner had to comply (91.327(b)(4)) and record SD status (91.417(a)(2)(v)) | Mandate removed. ADs, airworthiness and safe-condition requirements still apply; FAA recommends reviewing every SD | MOSAIC preamble IV.J.1 — Oct 22, 2025 |
| Major repairs/alterations (S-LSA) | — | Must meet the SOC consensus standards; majors on consensus products authorized by manufacturer or person acceptable to FAA; 337 recording only for type-certificated products | 91.327(b)(4)–(6) · 43.1(d) |
| Experimental LSA paths | 21.191(i)(2) kit-built; (i)(3) former S-LSA | No new (i)(2)/(i)(3) certificates after Oct 22, 2025; new paths (k) light-sport category kit-built and (l) former light-sport category | 21.191(i)–(l) |
| Sport pilot aircraft | Limited to aircraft meeting the 1.1 LSA definition | Performance-based: airplane VS1 ≤ 59 KCAS, ≤ 4 seats, non-pressurized, etc.; still one passenger | 61.316 (MOSAIC amdt.) · MOSAIC preamble |
| Registration marks | — | 3-inch marks allowed on exhibition, amateur-built, or former/kit-built light-sport experimental aircraft cruising ≤ 180 KCAS | 45.29(b)(1)(iii) |
Repairman (light-sport) changes
| Item | Before | After | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate title | Repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft) | Repairman certificate (light-sport). Old certificates valid on Oct 22, 2025 are equivalent; no reissue needed | 65.107(f)(2); AC 65-32B ¶2.2 |
| Rule structure | All in 65.107 (table) | 65.107 = eligibility & training; 65.109 = privileges & limitations | 65.107; 65.109 |
| Privileges by | Aircraft class | Aircraft category, optionally limited to a class (e.g. rotorcraft–gyroplane); old class privileges convert to category privileges | 65.107(f)(1), (3)–(4) |
| Maintenance-rating course | Fixed hours: 120 airplane · 104 weight-shift · 104 powered parachute · 80 lighter-than-air · 80 glider | Content-based: at minimum the knowledge, risk-management and skill elements of the Mechanic ACS appropriate to the category/class. No federal hour minimum | 65.107(d); MOSAIC fn. 214 |
| Inspection-rating course | 16 hours | 16 hours, on inspecting the category/class of experimental aircraft | 65.107(c) |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident | Requirement removed | MOSAIC preamble IV.I.2.b |
| Basic eligibility | 18, English, course + test | At least 18; read/speak/write/understand English; FAA-accepted course; provider's written test; documentary evidence to the FAA | 65.107(b) |
| Glider courses | Courses accepted before Oct 22, 2025 | May not be offered after July 24, 2026; new glider courses must cover powered and unpowered gliders | 65.107(g); AC 65-32B ¶2.5.1.5 |
| Major repair training | Additional training before major repair | Still required: training acceptable to the FAA and appropriate to the repair | 65.109(b)(3); AC 65-32B ¶2.8.5 |
Legacy S-LSA: what still binds them
A light-sport category certificate stays effective only while the aircraft meets the 21.190(b) eligibility criteria, conforms to its original or properly altered configuration, and has no unsafe condition. Aircraft originally certificated before July 24, 2026 must also stay within the old limits: 1,320 lb (1,430 lb on water), VH 120 KCAS, VS1 45 KCAS, two seats, single reciprocating engine, fixed or ground-adjustable prop (powered glider: fixed or feathering), non-pressurized cabin, and fixed gear (with water and glider exceptions). 14 CFR 21.181(a)(3) An owner of a pre-July 24, 2026 S-LSA may submit an amended manufacturer's statement of compliance — from the original manufacturer — to list aerial-work operations. 14 CFR 21.190(e)
What did not change
- Sport pilot preventive-maintenance privilege: still only on an owned/operated light-sport category aircraft. 14 CFR 43.3(g)
- S-LSA condition inspection every 12 calendar months by LSR-M, appropriately rated mechanic, or repair station. 14 CFR 91.327(b)(2)
- LSR-I: annual condition inspection only on an owned experimental aircraft (21.191(g), (i), (k), (l)) in the trained category. 14 CFR 65.109(a)
- LSR-M may not approve for return to service after a major repair/alteration on a product produced under an FAA approval. 14 CFR 65.109(b)(1)
- Prior-performance rule: an LSR-M may approve only work previously performed satisfactorily (or demonstrated). 14 CFR 65.109(c)
- Light-sport certificates are effective until surrendered, suspended, or revoked. 14 CFR 65.15(a); AC 65-32B ¶2.3
Consensus standards: the FAA accepted ASTM F3815-26a (light-sport airplane integration) and companion standards — including F2483-26 maintenance program, F3746-26 maintenance manuals, F2746-26a POH and F3198-25 continued operational safety — as means of compliance effective July 16, 2026 (91 FR 43524). An aircraft's own statement of compliance governs which standards apply to it.