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The FAA has finalized its long-awaited Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule. This broadly changes to the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category and sport pilot privileges. Announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, this is the most sweeping update to small aircraft regulations since 2004. For flight schools like FLT Academy, MOSAIC is nothing short of a game-changer. By expanding what counts as an LSA and what sport pilots can do, it opens up new training opportunities and savings for both schools and students. In this post, we’ll break down what MOSAIC changes, how it differs from previous rules, and what it means for prospective pilots – especially those training with FLT Academy’s extensive LSA fleet.
Many people new to aviation aren’t familiar with the different categories of aircraft and pilot certificates. Here’s a quick primer to understand where Light Sport Aircraft fit in:
Most common training planes (like the Cessna 172) are type-certificated in the normal category under strict FAA standards. They often seat 4+ people, can be heavy, and require a Private Pilot License (PPL) or higher to operate. These planes undergo rigorous (and costly) certification and are typically flown by pilots holding an FAA medical certificate.
Introduced in 2004, LSAs are smaller, simpler two-seat aircraft originally limited to 1,320 lbs maximum weight, 120 knots cruise, and other constraints. They can be factory-built under industry consensus standards (ASTM) instead of full FAA certification, which makes them cheaper to produce. To fly an LSA, one can earn a Sport Pilot License – which requires half the minimum flight hours of a PPL and no FAA medical exam. However, sport pilots had strict limitations: daylight flying only, no more than one passenger, no flying in complex airspace, and no professional (for-hire) operations.
Below LSA are ultralight vehicles (single-seat recreational flyers under FAR Part 103) which don’t even require a pilot license – but these are extremely limited in size and capability. Conversely, above LSA are larger general aviation planes and transport-category aircraft that require more advanced licenses (commercial, ATP) and certifications.
Because the rules governing what aircraft you can train in (and the cost of operating them) depend on these categories. Traditionally, flight schools use “normal category” airplanes like Cessna 172s for primary training. LSAs, on the other hand, offered a cheaper alternative for sport pilot training – but their limitations meant they played a smaller role in flight academies. That’s where MOSAIC comes in: it dramatically redraws the boundaries for LSAs and sport pilots, blurring the line between “light-sport” and “traditional” planes.
MOSAIC stands for Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification. It’s a comprehensive FAA rule overhaul aimed at expanding the light-sport aircraft definition and privileges. In essence, MOSAIC removes many of the old LSA restrictions and replaces them with performance-based criteria. Here are the key changes under MOSAIC:
Instead of a hard weight cap, an LSA will now be defined mainly by its stall speed. The new rule is expected to set a maximum clean stall speed around 54–61 knots (exact value in final rule ~61 KCAS). This means an aircraft that can fly slowly (i.e. has low stall speed) can qualify as an LSA regardless of its weight. Practically speaking, many heavier planes that were previously excluded will now fall into LSA territory if they have gentle low-speed handling. For example, popular four-seat trainers like the Cessna 172 or 182 could qualify as “LSA” based on stall speed. In fact, estimates suggest up to 70% of all single-engine piston models might meet the new LSA criteria!
The old LSA rules forbade things like retractable gear, constant-speed propellers, or more than two seats. MOSAIC throws those out. Now LSA can have up to 4 seats, retractable landing gear, adjustable-pitch props, and even alternative propulsion (e.g. electric or hybrid power). There’s no specific hard speed limit anymore – some LSAs could theoretically approach 200–250 knot performance if they still meet the stall speed and other criteria. In short, the light-sport category will no longer mean “tiny, slow airplane” – you could have a 4-seat cruiser or sleek high-performance design and still call it an LSA if it’s appropriately designed.
Previously, only fixed-wing airplanes (plus some gliders, balloons, etc.) could be LSAs – not helicopters or powered-lift aircraft. MOSAIC changes that. Light sport helicopters and even powered-lift (think small VTOL craft) will be possible. This could pave the way for sport-pilot helicopters or new eVTOL trainers in the future.
Perhaps most exciting for pilots-in-training, MOSAIC greatly expands what a sport pilot can do. They’ll be permitted to fly more complex aircraft with advanced avionics (like glass cockpits, autopilots) that used to require at least a private pilot certificate. The two-person occupancy limit remains for sport pilots (you + one passenger max), but notably those passengers can now sit in any aircraft up to 4 seats – you just can’t fill the extra seats beyond two people. In other words, a sport pilot could legally fly a four-seat airplane under LSA rules, so long as only one passenger is on board at a time.
Flight training has always been allowed in LSAs, but other for-hire operations were not. MOSAIC loosens this as well. For the first time, light-sport aircraft can be used for limited commercial activities like aerial photography, pipeline inspection, powerline patrol, crop surveying, etc. Carrying passengers for hire (e.g. airline or charter) remains off-limits to sport pilots, but these new provisions mean an LSA can legally be used in certain paid roles. This change could help flight schools augment their business (for instance, using an LSA for a photo survey job when it’s not booked for lessons).
According to FAA officials, the goal of MOSAIC is to “increase the availability of safe, modern, and affordable aircraft for recreational aviation, flight training, and certain aerial work”. By embracing new technology and removing outdated constraints, the FAA expects industry to develop a wider variety of affordable light aircraft – and thus attract more people into aviation. As Jack Pelton (EAA CEO) put it, the aim is to “lower the barriers to getting into aviation”, potentially making learning to fly up to 50% cheaper and faster for recreational pilots. In the next sections, we’ll see exactly why costs could come down so dramatically – and how flight schools can leverage these changes.
One of the biggest impacts of MOSAIC will be on the cost of flight training, which is great news for prospective students. Learning to fly has historically been expensive – but MOSAIC directly addresses some key cost drivers:
In summary, MOSAIC attacks the two biggest pain points in flight training – aircraft cost and training time – to make flying more affordable. As the FAA noted, the rule aims to foster “safe, modern, and affordable” training aircraft. And industry leaders project that learning to fly could become roughly 50% cheaper for recreational pilots under these changes. For a student pilot, that is fantastic news!
Cost isn’t the only improvement. By broadening what aircraft qualify as Light-Sport, MOSAIC also improves the quality and relevance of training technology that students will experience from day one:
Many new LSAs come equipped with digital flight displays (EFIS screens), GPS moving maps, autopilots, and even angle-of-attack indicators. These modern cockpits look much more like what you’d find in an airliner or advanced corporate jet than the steam gauges of yesteryear. Training in an LSA often means learning with a glass cockpit and integrated avionics from the start, which better prepares students for the technically advanced aircraft they may fly later. FLT Academy’s own SportCruiser light-sport planes, for example, feature Dynon SkyView touch-screen displays, Garmin GPS units, and full autopilot capability – a far cry from the basic instruments of an old Cessna 152. Students love these features, and they gain valuable experience managing modern systems.
Under MOSAIC, light sport aircraft can be faster and carry more fuel, making them more practical for training missions. Earlier LSAs were sometimes limited in range or speed, which could complicate long cross-country flights. Now, with cruise speeds of 120-140+ knots and larger fuel capacity, LSA trainers can easily handle cross-country requirements and get you to your destination faster. For instance, the SportCruiser cruises around 107 mph (93 knots) with a range of ~500 nm, and some newer designs cruise 110–120 knots – plenty for student cross-countries. You’ll spend less time boring holes in the sky and more time practicing approaches at your destination.
LSAs are designed to be relatively easy to fly. They have benign handling characteristics – e.g. low stall speeds, good visibility, light control forces – which can help build a student pilot’s confidence. The SportCruiser’s roomy cockpit, ergonomic controls, and bubble canopy for panoramic visibility are frequently praised by student pilots for making flight easier and more enjoyable. A well-designed LSA is stable and docile enough for a newbie, yet (with MOSAIC’s changes) sophisticated enough to not “outgrow” as quickly. This means you can comfortably learn the basics and also practice advanced procedures (like using autopilot or navigating via glass panel) in the same airplane.
Modern light-sport aircraft often include safety enhancements such as whole-airframe ballistic parachutes, angle-of-attack stall warning systems, and GPS-based terrain/traffic alerts. In fact, FLT Academy’s SportCruisers are equipped with a BRS ballistic parachute – a huge safety net in the unlikely event of an emergency. These features provide peace of mind for students and instructors. The MOSAIC rule encourages such safety tech by giving designers more freedom to add systems previously “too advanced” for LSA. The FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford noted that the rule enables industry to meet demand for more versatile aircraft “while maintaining high standards of safety.” Safety isn’t being sacrificed for cost – in many ways it’s being enhanced through modern design.
All these factors contribute to a more engaging and effective training experience. New pilots will train on sleek, cutting-edge machines instead of clunky 50-year-old trainers. Flight schools that embrace MOSAIC-compliant aircraft can offer training that appeals to younger, tech-savvy students (and even international students used to modern tech), giving them an edge in the market. At the same time, lower costs and improved training efficiency will help address the looming pilot shortage by making aviation careers more accessible. It’s a win-win for the industry and for anyone who’s dreamed of learning to fly.
“At FLT Academy, we don’t wait for change; we prepare for it. FLT Academy recognized the direction MOSAIC was headed years ago and have been strategically growing our fleet to lead the way. We have nearly a decade of experience operating light sport aircraft and nearly 50% of our fleet is made up of LSAs. We intend to double that over the next few years. We’re ready to help students take full advantage of this transformative rule, saving time, saving money, and getting future pilots into the skies faster.”
– Jason Clark, Founder and CEO of FLT Academy, Utah’s largest and highest-rated professional flight school
Few flight schools in the U.S. are as well-positioned to leverage MOSAIC as FLT Academy. We recognized early on the benefits of light-sport aircraft for training, which is why we already operate one of the largest LSA fleets in the country. In fact, FLT Academy proudly refers to the SportCruiser as our “Game Changer” training aircraft.
We have dozens of SportCruisers across our campuses, each equipped with glass-panel avionics, GPS, autopilot, and ballistic parachutes – features that many flight schools’ older planes lack. By integrating these modern LSAs into our fleet, we have been able to offer students a superior training experience at a lower cost per hour for years. Simply put: it costs less to train with the SportCruiser compared to other aircraft in our fleet, thanks to its fuel efficiency and low maintenance needs.
Now, with MOSAIC’s new rules, FLT Academy is ready to take full advantage of the expanded LSA privileges:
FLT Academy has been continuously expanding and modernizing our fleet – over the past year we’ve added roughly one new plane every other month, growing to over 60 aircraft in total (including multi-engine planes and AATD simulators). A large portion of these additions are new light-sport aircraft. We are closely tracking upcoming MOSAIC-compliant models (such as the Wasatch Aero SD3, a Utah-built two-seat trainer designed for MOSAIC) that promise even greater efficiency.
The Wasatch SD3 is a prime example of the next-gen LSA: all-composite airframe, Rotax 912 engine burning 4–5 gal/hour, 110+ knot cruise, 600+ nm range, with Garmin G3X glass avionics and a parachute system, and a turbine engine available on select models in development. Airplanes like this will make fantastic trainers, and FLT Academy intends to add them to our lineup. In fact, the SD3’s planned “Mosaic” variant will take advantage of higher weight limits and even offer a turbine option, showing how innovative the post-MOSAIC LSA market will be. We’re excited to renew our fleet with factory-new MOSAIC aircraft that offer the latest technology and warranties, rather than relying on aging 1970s airframes.
As an early adopter of LSA training, FLT Academy is ahead of the curve. Many other flight schools are now scrambling to catch up to the MOSAIC changes – facing pressure to modernize or risk losing students to those with newer, cheaper planes. Because we’ve already integrated LSAs and built a curriculum around them, FLT can smoothly implement the new allowances. This means we can pass the benefits directly to our students: lower hourly rates, more training availability, and exposure to state-of-the-art equipment.
We firmly believe that embracing MOSAIC is not optional but essential for any flight school that wants to stay competitive. At FLT Academy, we’re not only embracing it – we’ve been living it and are ready to push even further under the new rules.
For prospective students, all this boils down to a simple fact: there’s never been a better time (or a more affordable way) to learn to fly. MOSAIC has opened the door to more training in efficient aircraft, and FLT Academy is prepared to open that door for you on Day 1. Whether you aim to fly for fun as a Sport Pilot or you’re launching an airline career, our mix of modern light-sport trainers and advanced aircraft will get you there faster, for less money, and with industry-leading instruction every step of the way.
The FAA’s MOSAIC rule marks the dawn of a new era in pilot training. By expanding the definition of Light Sport Aircraft and what pilots can do with them, it massively increases the tools available to flight schools and students alike. Here are the key takeaways of what MOSAIC means for flight training:
Overall, MOSAIC is a huge win for students and flight schools. It “resets the economics” of learning to fly, making aviation more inclusive without compromising safety. FLT Academy is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. We’ve invested in the fleet, the technology, and the expertise to help you reap the benefits of these new rules immediately.
If you’ve been considering learning to fly, or advancing your pilot training, MOSAIC’s timing couldn’t be better. What was once out of reach – whether due to cost, aircraft availability, or licensing hurdles – has now been brought within grasp. And FLT Academy stands ready to guide you into this new age of affordable, modern flight training. Come fly with us and experience how MOSAIC is making the skies more accessible for everyone!