Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC)
On July 24, 2025, the FAA published a final rule in the Federal Register known as MOSAIC to amend rules for the design, manufacture, airworthiness certification, operation, maintenance, and alteration of light-sport category aircraft.
Intended outcomes for the light-sport sector:
- Improve safety by enabling more flexibility for safety-enhancing designs; establishing new design, production, and airworthiness standards; and positioning LSA as a more attractive alternative to aircraft that are lower on the AVS safety continuum.
- Improve ruggedness, cabin space, seating capacity, fuel capacity, and performance.
- Allow new types of LSA such as gyroplanes, rotorcraft, and powered-lift.
- Allow new types of propulsion, including turbine engines and electric motors.
- Expand what aircraft sport pilots can operate. See new 14 CFR § 61.316. No longer limited to 14 CFR Part 1.1 "light-sport aircraft" definition.
- Enable operations of aircraft with retractable landing gear, airplanes with manual controllable pitch propellers, high performance airplanes, and complex airplanes with training and instructor endorsements.
- Allow new night privileges with training and endorsements. Requires FAA medical or BasicMed medical qualification for night operations.
- Add new helicopter class privilege. Limited to LSA helicopters with the simplified flight controls (SFC) designation.
Expand the privileges of LSR to:
- Perform maintenance on all aircraft within the expanded light-sport category, including new aircraft types and designs that will qualify as LSA under MOSAIC.
- Conduct the condition inspection on experimental amateur-built aircraft.
- Reduce owner burden by allowing minor repairs and minor alterations to be performed in accordance with Part 43 maintenance standards without requiring manufacturer approval.
- Allow voluntary compliance by aircraft owners and operators with manufacturer-issued safety directives and service information.
- Enable certain aerial work operations with LSA.
MOSAIC Effective Dates:
- October 22, 2025: Effective date of rules related to sport pilot certification, LSR certification, and maintenance of LSA.
- July 24, 2026: Effective date of rules related to certification of LSA.
Resources:
- MOSAIC Final Rule (Federal Register)
- MOSAIC Proposal, Public Comments, and Final Rule (Regulations.gov)
- MOSAIC Fact Sheet
- FAQ for Manufacture and Certification of Light-Sport Category Aircraft (LSA)
- FAQ for Repairmen (Light-Sport)
- FAQ for Maintenance of LSA
- Coming soon:
- FAQ for Pilots
- FAQ for Part 91 Operations
- Repairmen Certification
- AC 65-32, Certification of Repairmen (Light-Sport)
- Coming Soon:
- AC 90-121 - Continued Airworthiness of Light-Sport Category and Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft
For questions or additional information about MOSAIC, please contact the FAA.
- LSA design, manufacture, or certification: 9-AVS-AIR-MOSAICfeedback@faa.gov
- Sport pilot rules and part 91 general operations: 9-AFS-800-Correspondence@faa.gov
- LSR and maintenance of LSA: 9-AWA-AFS-300-Maintenance@faa.gov