The FAA’s biggest regulatory shift in 20 years is here. Here’s what actually changes and what doesn’t.
The FAA’s Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification rule, known as MOSAIC, took effect in phases beginning October 2025. Aviation media has called it the most significant regulatory overhaul since the Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft rule was introduced in 2004.
Part 2 is Still Coming, and It’s a Big Deal
The second, and arguably more significant, phase of MOSAIC, covering LSA airworthiness certification for new factory-built aircraft, takes effect July 24, 2026. Expect this to be a major topic at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this summer.
As new factory-built Light Sport Aircraft enter the market under MOSAIC’s streamlined certification path, the broader aviation conversation will shift toward what’s available, what it costs, and what the tradeoffs are. Understanding where your RV sits in that landscape, in terms of performance, value, and ownership experience, will matter more than ever.
What Is MOSAIC?
MOSAIC modernizes how the FAA defines, certifies, and regulates Light Sport Aircraft. The core changes include removing the old maximum takeoff weight restriction, raising the maximum stall speed threshold to 59 knots calibrated airspeed, allowing LSA to have up to four seats, and expanding Sport Pilot privileges to cover a much broader range of aircraft, including most existing RVs.
Van’s Aircraft CEO Mikael Via said the results “exceed most people’s expectations,” and Van’s was one of the key voices shaping the rule, with company leadership participating directly in the ASTM committee process from the beginning.
For a full breakdown of what Phase 1 delivered for Sport Pilots and RV owners, read the complete overview on vansaircraft.com.
What MOSAIC Changes for RV Owners
MOSAIC delivers several meaningful improvements for the RV community.
Maintenance privileges expanded: For the first time, there is a path for non-builder owners of E-AB aircraft to complete a 16-hour Repairman (Light Sport, Inspection) course and legally perform their own annual condition inspection. Previously, this right was limited to the original builder or a licensed A&P mechanic. This change could lower costs, increases accessibility, and create new infrastructure around RV ownership.
Flight instruction simplified: MOSAIC eliminates the Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) requirement that previously made compensated flight instruction in E-AB aircraft inconsistent and difficult to obtain. Any CFI who holds a rating in the same category and class as the aircraft can now provide compensated instruction without special FAA authorization. For most RVs, that means a CFI with an airplane single-engine land rating. No additional endorsement, designation, or LODA is required beyond that existing rating.
More RVs qualify for Sport Pilot operations: If your aircraft has a clean stall speed (VS1) at or below 59 knots, you may now be eligible to operate it under Sport Pilot privileges, including using a driver’s license medical for daytime VFR flight. All existing RV models save for the RV-14 and RV-10 meet this threshold.
Night flight now permitted: Sport Pilots can now fly at night with specific training and at least a third-class medical or BasicMed qualification, expanding the utility of the RV fleet significantly.
New endorsements available: Sport Pilots can now obtain endorsements for retractable landing gear and controllable-pitch propellers, opening up more capable aircraft for the Sport Pilot certificate track.
The RV-12iS: Factory-Built and Ready Now
The RV-12iS is the benchmark for factory-built RV ownership under the new rules. Van’s has been producing it as a Special Light Sport Aircraft since 2013, and it remains the only complete, ready-to-fly Van’s Aircraft available as of today.
Under MOSAIC, the RV-12iS becomes more relevant than ever. Its clean stall speed sits comfortably within Sport Pilot limits, making it accessible to a broader range of pilots than at any point in its history. For the pilot who wants a modern glass cockpit, exceptional handling, and the Van’s quality reputation without building from a kit, the RV-12iS is the direct path to the flight line.
The MOSAIC model about to enter production includes updated creature comforts, a heated pitot tube in the wing, and will have the ability to fly in actual instrument conditions. Currently, the RV-12iS is used for IFR training, it can fly in the IFR system and file flight plans, just not fly in actual instrument conditions. Flight schools have been adopting it at an accelerating pace, which speaks to both its reliability and its long-term value as an asset.
The RV-15 and the Post-MOSAIC Era
Van’s newest plane, the RV-15, was engineered from the ground up to be MOSAIC-compliant. It’s Van’s first high-wing design, built for backcountry and utility missions, with a clean stall speed that qualifies it for Sport Pilot operations.
The RV-15 represents what the post-MOSAIC era looks like: a high-performance, highly capable aircraft designed to take full advantage of the new regulatory landscape, without giving up any of the things that make flying an RV worth doing.
Ready to Get Flying?
Whether you’re researching your first RV or ready to place an order, Van’s Aircraft team is here to help you find the right aircraft for your mission, timeline, and goals.
