A Bristell B23 all-metal light aircraft in flight, the airframe behind the MOSAIC-ready B23M
The FAA MOSAIC rule

MOSAIC is here.
Bristell is ready.

MOSAIC is the FAA's biggest expansion of the Light Sport rules in 20 years — the category you already fly, now far more capable. The Bristell B23M was built for it.

The new rule, explained

Aviation just got more accessible — and more capable

MOSAIC — the FAA's Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification — is a final rule, published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2025. It retires the two-decade-old 1,320 lbs (600 kg) Light Sport Aircraft weight limit and replaces it with a performance-based standard centered on stall speed.

The result: light sport aircraft can now be heavier, faster, and far better equipped — with more useful load, retractable gear, constant-speed propellers, and advanced avionics. For US pilots, a whole new class of aircraft just came within reach.

The capability leap

Six limits the old Light Sport rules imposed — and what MOSAIC allows instead. Read each card top to bottom: before, then after.

Weight limit

Legacy LSA 1,320 lbs (600 kg) cap
With MOSAIC No fixed weight limit

What qualifies an aircraft

Legacy LSA Fixed weight
With MOSAIC How slow it stalls — 61 knots (70 mph), clean

Top speed

Legacy LSA Up to 120 KCAS (138 mph)
With MOSAIC Up to 250 KCAS (288 mph)

Landing gear

Legacy LSA Fixed only
With MOSAIC Retractable allowed

Propeller

Legacy LSA Fixed pitch
With MOSAIC Constant-speed allowed

Avionics

Legacy LSA Limited
With MOSAIC Advanced, IFR-capable

What MOSAIC means for you

More aircraft, more privileges, the same easy start — here's how the rule changes things for the pilot in the seat.

A much bigger sky

The EAA estimates expanded Sport Pilot eligibility now covers roughly 70% of the existing US general-aviation fleet — a dramatic widening from the old Light Sport category.

New privileges, earned

Night flight, retractable gear, and constant-speed propellers are now open to Sport Pilots with the right training and an instructor endorsement (night also needs a medical or BasicMed).

Still simple to start

A Sport Pilot certificate needs no FAA medical — a valid US driver’s license is enough to fly day VFR with one passenger. MOSAIC keeps the on-ramp easy.

In effect today

The expanded pilot rules became effective October 22, 2025. The new-aircraft certification framework follows on July 24, 2026. The capability is here now.

A Bristell B23 light aircraft in flight over a coastline
Built for the new envelope

The Bristell B23M

The B23M is the MOSAIC configuration of the B23 — the type-certified airframe (EASA CS-23; FAA Part 23 as the B23-912) flown in more than 30 countries, now set up for the US market. Maximum takeoff weight reaches 1,653 lbs (750 kg), leaving up to 661 lbs (300 kg) of useful load.

Garmin G3X Touch avionics. A standard BRS whole-aircraft parachute. A generous 51 in (130 cm) cabin — among the roomiest in the class. And across the Bristell portfolio, retractable landing gear and constant-speed propellers — exactly the capability MOSAIC now rewards. We didn't scramble to meet the rule. We were already there.

The MOSAIC-ready lineup

The B23M leads the range — backed by a full family of Bristell aircraft engineered for the MOSAIC envelope.

Configurations and engine options vary by aircraft. Talk to our US team to confirm which variant fits your certificate and mission.

Two pilots putting on headsets in the open cockpit of a Bristell light aircraft on the ramp
For flight schools

Built to earn its place on your flight line

A modern trainer that grows with the student — and pencils out against an aging fleet.

One airframe, the whole journey

Start a student under Sport Pilot rules and keep training them as they earn higher certificates — same panel, same handling, fewer checkouts, and a syllabus that doesn’t change airframes mid-stream.

Two adults and fuel

Up to 661 lbs (300 kg) of useful load means a full-size instructor, a full-size student, and real fuel — without trading one for the other on every lesson.

Glass students want to train on

The Garmin G3X Touch panel is the cockpit students choose — and a recruiting edge over a steam-gauge fleet.

Modern-fleet economics

Rotax efficiency and a new airframe instead of one pushing forty — a lower cost per hour and a fleet you can stand behind.

Available in the US today

October 22, 2025

Pilot rules — live now

Expanded Sport Pilot privileges took effect. The bigger sky is already open.

July 24, 2026

New-aircraft certification

The MOSAIC framework for certificating new light sport aircraft takes effect.

Today

Order & fly today

Fly the FAA Part 23 certified B23-912 today and reserve your MOSAIC-ready B23M for the July 2026 phase. Book a demo flight.

FAQ

MOSAIC questions, answered

The essentials on the rule, your privileges, and flying a Bristell in the US.

What is the FAA MOSAIC rule?

MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) is the FAA’s final rule, published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2025. It retires the 2004 Light Sport Aircraft weight limit and replaces it with a performance-based standard built around stall speed — opening the door to a far more capable class of light aircraft.

When does MOSAIC take effect?

In two phases. Expanded Sport Pilot privileges have been in effect since October 22, 2025. The framework for certificating new light sport aircraft takes effect July 24, 2026.

How is a MOSAIC aircraft more capable than a legacy LSA?

Think of MOSAIC as the Light Sport category you already know — with the limits lifted. The old 1,320 lbs (600 kg) weight cap is gone, replaced by how slowly an aircraft flies: a clean stall speed of 61 knots (70 mph) or below. That one change unlocks higher gross weights and useful load, top speeds up to 250 KCAS (288 mph), retractable landing gear, constant-speed propellers, and advanced avionics — capability the old LSA rules never allowed.

Can I fly a Bristell as a Sport Pilot under MOSAIC?

Yes — that is exactly what MOSAIC opened up. To fly an aircraft under Sport Pilot privileges it must have a clean stall speed of 59 KCAS (68 mph) or below, carry no more than one passenger, and be flown day VFR. Bristell configures B23M variants to meet the Sport Pilot envelope — tell us your mission and our US team will confirm which one fits your certificate. A higher certificate unlocks more of each airframe’s capability.

Do I need a new certificate or another checkride?

No new certificate. MOSAIC did not change your Sport Pilot certificate — it expanded what that certificate lets you fly. You keep flying day VFR with one passenger. A qualifying aircraft’s added capabilities, such as a constant-speed propeller or retractable gear, simply need a short instructor endorsement, and stepping into a roomier, faster airframe is worth a few hours of transition training.

Can I order a Bristell for the MOSAIC era today?

Yes — you can order now. The Bristell B23-912 is FAA Part 23 certified and available today, and the B23M is engineered MOSAIC-ready for the expanded envelope. The FAA’s framework to certificate new light sport aircraft opens July 24, 2026; order now to be first in line, and our US team will match your order to the right certification path. Book a demo flight and we’ll walk you through options, availability, and delivery timing.

Does MOSAIC let me fly at night or under IFR?

Night: yes — with additional training, an instructor endorsement, and a medical or BasicMed, Sport Pilots can fly at night under MOSAIC. IFR is different: a MOSAIC aircraft can be equipped with IFR-capable avionics, but Sport Pilots still fly VFR only. A higher certificate is needed to fly IFR.

How many people can a MOSAIC aircraft carry?

A MOSAIC light sport airplane can be built with up to four seats. A Sport Pilot, however, may still carry only one passenger (two occupants total). Pilots holding higher certificates can use the additional seats.

Is the Bristell B23M a good flight-school trainer?

It is built for it. One airframe can carry a student from their first lesson under Sport Pilot rules through to higher certificates — same panel, same handling, fewer checkouts. Up to 661 lbs (300 kg) of useful load means a full-size instructor, a full-size student, and real fuel without trading one for the other, and the Garmin G3X Touch glass panel is what students want to train on. With Rotax efficiency and a new airframe, the cost per hour works hard against an aging fleet. Ask our US team for a flight-school and fleet quote.

What is the difference between the Bristell B23 and the B23M?

The B23 is our type-certified airframe — EASA CS-23 in Europe and FAA Part 23 in the US (certified as the B23-912, with further variants in progress) — flown in more than 30 countries. The B23M is the MOSAIC configuration of that same airframe, adapted for the US market — the proven structure and build quality, set up for the expanded MOSAIC envelope, with a maximum takeoff weight 1,653 lbs (750 kg) and up to 661 lbs (300 kg) of useful load.

Feel what the new rule flies like.

Thirty minutes in a Bristell says more than any spec sheet. Book a demo flight with our US team — we'll match the aircraft to your certificate.