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How FAA MOSAIC Changes Light-Sport Aviation
Van’s Aircraft CTO Rian Johnson laid out how the FAA MOSAIC rule could reshape light-sport flying for pilots and builders.
In a video released on September 11, 2025, Van’s Aircraft CTO Rian Johnson explained the FAA’s Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) final rule announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025. Johnson — who also serves as Chair of ASTM F37, the committee that develops standards for sport and light-sport aircraft — summarized the rule’s central aims: expand Sport Pilot privileges and broaden the Light-Sport Aircraft definition.
Why the FAA MOSAIC update matters
Johnson said the FAA will rely on new consensus standards developed by ASTM F37 for design, performance and safety to show compliance under the MOSAIC framework. That approach shifts more responsibility to industry-written standards, which could speed certification paths for some light-sport designs and change how small manufacturers document safety and performance.
The immediate practical effects flagged by Johnson are twofold: more capability for Sport Pilots (flying under the Sport Pilot certificate) and clearer paths for certain aircraft to qualify as Light-Sport Aircraft. For pilots, the change promises new flying opportunities under the Sport Pilot privileges. For builders and kit manufacturers, the updated definition and consensus standards may alter design, documentation and testing requirements.
- Key MOSAIC points: FAA MOSAIC expands Sport Pilot privileges, broadens Light-Sport Aircraft rules, and leans on ASTM F37 consensus standards for compliance.
What this looks like on the ramp will depend on implementation timelines and FAA guidance documents. Van’s Aircraft and other manufacturers will need to assess existing models and future designs against the updated consensus standards to determine certification routes and any changes to operating limits or pilot training recommendations.
For U.S. general aviation stakeholders — from flight schools to backyard builders — MOSAIC represents a significant regulatory shift. Expect detailed FAA policy papers and ASTM revisions to follow; meanwhile, pilots and operators should track official FAA releases and manufacturer advisories to understand when and how rules will change in practice.
