sport pilot aircraft

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fast99

Pre-takeoff checklist
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fast99
Is there a data base listing the planes that qualify under sport pilot rules? Looking at a Cherokee. I think it will qualify but want to know for sure. thanks
 
The key numbers under mosaic is >59 knots clean stall speed & >4 seats, not more than 2 bodies on board.

Under the FAA's MOSAIC rule, sport pilots can fly larger and faster airplanes—including up to 4-seat models like the Cessna 172—provided the aircraft has a clean stall speed (\(V_{S1}\)) of 59 knots CAS or less. Prescriptive weight caps are removed, and daytime flying allows a U.S. driver's license for medical qualification. [1, 2]


Airplane Performance & Design Requirements
    • Stall Speed: Maximum clean stall speed (\(V_{S1}\)) must be 59 knots CAS or less for airplanes operated under sport pilot rules (while the underlying light-sport category permits up to 61 knots \(V_{S0}\) with flaps extended). [1, 2]
    • Seating Capacity: Airplanes may feature up to 4 seats, though sport pilots remain strictly limited to carrying 1 passenger. [1]
    • Speed & Weight: Traditional maximum takeoff weight limits (e.g., 1,320 lbs) are eliminated. Maximum level speed (\(V_{h}\)) is up to 250 knots CAS. [1, 2]
    • Equipment & Engines: Retractable landing gear, controllable-pitch propellers, electric/hybrid systems, and multi-engine designs are permitted (with appropriate logbook training and endorsements). [1, 2, 3]

    • Medical Qualification: A valid U.S. driver’s license is accepted for daytime VFR operations (provided you have never had an FAA medical denied, suspended, or revoked). [1]
    • Night Flying: Permitted under MOSAIC, but requires a 3rd-class FAA medical or BasicMed plus 3 hours of dual night instruction and a CFI endorsement. [1]
    • Certificates: Private, commercial, and ATP pilots may also exercise sport pilot privileges using a driver's license without getting a separate sport pilot certificate. [1, 2]
    • Endorsements: Transitioning to features like retractable gear, constant-speed propellers, or adding a new airplane category/class requires specific ground/flight training and a CFI sign-off. [1, 2]
 
If you are interested in an airplane, the answer is (a) looking at it - does it have 4 seats or less and (b) looking at one page in the manual - is Vs1 59 KIAS KCAS or less. If the manual is generic, it needs to apply to that specific model.

Yes it can sometimes be more than that. Looking at a DA40, for example, you need to check the max gross weight of the specific airplane, but that’s not all that common and is once you’ve settled on a model.

I’m not aware of anyone who has created and us continuing to maintain a universal database of every airplane in the world which qualifies.
 
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Check 2 pages in the
midlifeflyer said:
If you are interested in an airplane, the answer is (a) looking at it - does it have 4 seats or less and (b) looking at one page in the manual - is Vs1 59 KIAS or less. If the manual is generic, it needs to apply to that specific model.

Yes it can sometimes be more than that. Looking at a DA40, for example, you need to check the max gross weight of the specific airplane, but that’s not all that common and is once you’ve settled on a model.

I’m not aware of anyone who has created and is continuing to maintain a universal database of every airplane in the world which qualifies.
Click to expand...

Important correction. The Mosaic rule defines VS1 of 59 knots as calibrated not indicated airspeed.
 
does have 4 seats but haven't looked at the manual yet. Will do that. Thanks
 
midlifeflyer said:
You have me curious. With a "standard" Vs1 of 58 KCAS (67 MPH), I can definitely see it. Any idea which ones (or even just one) are different and how are they different?
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I may be mistaken, but I think the retractable version (Arrow) falls just outside.
 
Half Fast said:
I may be mistaken, but I think the retractable version (Arrow) falls just outside.
Click to expand...
I wasn't thinking in terms of the PA28R series. Yeah, what I see with the older 180 HP ones are just around 60. They report in MPH so I guess there's a rounding issue when converting. The 200's are definitely outside.
 
Cherokee 180 and is close at 1or 2 knots from exceeding the limit on generic searches. Will have to find the specific data for this plane.
Should be in the POH?
 
I'd think the POH is the only source that counts, but I'm not a rules expert. From the stats I have of what I've flown, the PA-28-140, 151 and 181's are fine. PA-28R-20 is 60k so too fast, similarly the PA-28-235 Dakota which is like 65k. But this note from me is just an old guy on the Internet reading a 2 year old chart someone else made. And the Archer (180) I'm referring to is a taper wing that carries 50 gal of fuel. I don't know of there's a Hershey 180 and if it's any different. Similarly don't remember which model of Arrow the 28R I'm referencing is, other than it's the 77 gal version.

That last part might be the tell, actually. Wondering if all the 50 gal PA-28's are ok, and the 77's aren't. Not because of any sort of magic, but that they're aircraft with different and bigger wings than the typical pa-28-150 or whatever. Guessing...
 
fast99 said:
Cherokee 180 and is close at 1or 2 knots from exceeding the limit on generic searches. Will have to find the specific data for this plane.
Should be in the POH?
Click to expand...
Whether there’s a “POH” or not depends on age. But there will be a manual or other documentary material which applies to the airplane.
 
midlifeflyer said:
Whether there’s a “POH” or not depends on age. But there will be a manual or other documentary material which applies to the airplane.
Click to expand...
If you are wondering what I mean, recall that the "POH" is a flight manual format adopted by GAMA in 1977. And the regulatory requirement for an AFM went into effect in 1979. Before that, we were working with a hodgepodge of "current approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof" (FAR 91.9).

Here, for example is part of the first page for the 1971 Cherokee 180 flight manual
1792758931744.png
 
i've gone basic med, my friend needs a 3rd class. No previous medical. Appears good on the medical side so there is no need for sport pilot. I know the FAA can think otherwise. Took 8 months to get mine with SI. Waiting on purchase until that's handled.

Thanks everybody
 
fast99 said:
i've gone basic med, my friend needs a 3rd class. No previous medical. Appears good on the medical side so there is no need for sport pilot. I know the FAA can think otherwise. Took 8 months to get mine with SI. Waiting on purchase until that's handled.

Thanks everybody
Click to expand...
Congrats on the SI and good luck with the Cherokee!
 
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