A: The final rule, including the preamble and supporting documentation, can be found by clicking the button below. After October 22, 2025, the new rule language will be incorporated into relevant parts of the “FARs” (Chapter 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations) on all up-to-date online and print sources.

A: Sport pilot privileges will take effect October 22, 2025, 90 days after they are published in the Federal Register. Light-sport aircraft standards will take effect July 24, 2026, 365 days after they are published.

A: The new max “clean” (VS1) stall speed is 59 knots. Anything with four or less seats and a stall speed of 59 knots or less is now sport pilot eligible. Sport pilots are allowed to have one passenger. Specific verbiage on stall speed can be found by clicking the button below. (links to 61.316(a)(1) of the rule).

A: The bottom of the green arc on your airspeed indicator (or equivalent for nonstandard markings) should be your VS1 speed. Otherwise, the preamble of the rule recommends following the stall testing procedure specified in Advisory Circular 90-89C, Amateur-Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Test Handbook. EAA’s Flight Test Manual also includes a stall testing procedure.

A: No. Your most recent medical application must have been successful. Specific verbiage can be found by clicking the link below (links to 14 CFR 61.23(c)(2)).

A: No. The term “Light-Sport Aircraft” now only refers to aircraft certification rules for aircraft designed and built to meet the requirements of the category. A Cessna 172 remains a standard category aircraft.

A: The MOSAIC final rule does not change how legacy certified aircraft are certified or maintained. While early discussions of MOSAIC did include a category for legacy aircraft to be recertified for easier maintenance and modification, this proposal ultimately was not included in the proposed 2023 rule or the 2025 final rule.

A: No. Private pilot certificates and privileges experience no change with this rule.

A: You must have a current FAA medical certificate (3rd Class or higher) or BasicMed and have proper training and endorsements to fly at night. Specific verbiage can be found by clicking the button below.

A: On October 22, 2025, you can fly any aircraft that fits into the new sport pilot specifications. Depending on the aircraft you may need additional training and endorsements. HOWEVER, all pilots are strongly encouraged to obtain proper training and proficiency before acting as pilot in command of any aircraft.

A: Your instructor privileges expand with your PIC privileges as a sport pilot. Sport pilot CFIs who hold the proper medical certification, training, and endorsement may instruct at night under the new rules. Specific verbiage can be found by clicking the button below.

A: No. You also may not exercise the privileges of an instrument rating when flying under sport pilot privileges.

A: No. “Aerial Work” is a feature of the aircraft certification rule for new S-LSAs, allowing these aircraft to be used for certain commercial operations with the support of the manufacturer. The pilot will need to be appropriately rated. Specific verbiage can be found by clicking the button below.

A: We cannot speak for insurance companies. They will set their rates and policies relative to the assessed risk. However, we have been through the rollout of the 2004 Sport Pilot rule and BasicMed, and insurance companies have generally been willing to insure pilots operating under these rules.

A: No. If a private pilot wishes to exercise sport pilot privileges with a driver’s license medical, the regulations treat them no differently than a sport pilot, without any additional privileges. However, private pilots are credited for previous training and don’t require the same endorsements sport pilots do for towered airport operations or any other complex endorsements previously achieved.

A: No, you do not need to take another course. The repairman certificate you earned is applicable to airplanes certificated as experimental light-sport and experimental amateur-built (from plans or a kit). Specific verbiage can be found by clicking the button below.