Flying is one of those passions you want to hold on to for as long as possible. But the reality for many of us—especially those with a few more hours in the logbook and years on the calendar—is that medical certification can become the biggest threat to staying in the left seat.

That’s why the MOSAIC rule is more than just an interesting regulatory update for me. It’s an insurance policy for my flying future.

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The Medical Roadblock for Older Pilots

If you’ve ever had a medical hiccup—high blood pressure, a surgery, even something temporary—you know how quickly it can complicate your FAA medical renewal. A single health event can trigger a months-long back-and-forth with the FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division. And in today’s environment, with a shortage of FAA personnel, those delays can stretch from frustrating to grounding.

When I returned to flying last year after more than 15 years away, I didn’t want the hassle of finding a Designated Medical Examiner (DME) every year or worrying that a minor issue might start a bureaucratic spiral. Instead, I went with BasicMed—a pathway that gives me nearly the same privileges as a third-class medical, with fewer hoops to jump through.

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BasicMed: How It Works and Why I Use It

BasicMed became an option in 2017 for pilots who previously held a valid FAA medical after July 15, 2006. It allows you to fly many of the same missions as a third-class medical—without the annual trip to an AME.

Privileges under BasicMed (as of the late 2024 update):

• Fly aircraft with up to 6 seats and up to 12,500 lbs MTOW (up from the previous 6,000 lbs limit).
• Carry up to 6 occupants (including the pilot).
• Fly up to 250 knots and below FL180.
• Operate day or night, VFR or IFR (if appropriately rated and equipped).
• Fly anywhere in the U.S., and in certain countries that accept BasicMed (Bahamas, Mexico, Canada).

To obtain and maintain BasicMed:

1. Have held a valid FAA medical after July 15, 2006.
2. Get a physical exam from a state-licensed physician every 48 months.
3. Complete the online BasicMed medical course every 24 months.
4. Keep both your course certificate and your completed physician’s checklist in your logbook.

For my mission—cross-country flying in my Sling—BasicMed fits with one limitation.

Under current agreements, BasicMed is accepted for flights within the United States as well as trips to the Bahamas and Mexico, provided you meet those countries’ entry and operational requirements. Canada does not yet recognize BasicMed, which means flying there still requires a valid FAA third-class medical or higher. This is a sticking point for many U.S. pilots who enjoy cross-border flying, especially into popular Canadian destinations. The FAA and Transport Canada have been in active discussions to change this, and industry groups like AOPA and EAA continue to advocate strongly for Canadian acceptance. If approved, this would give BasicMed pilots seamless North American access and remove one of the last major geographic limitations of the program. Until then, a third-class medical remains your ticket for flying north of the border.

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But What If I Lose BasicMed?

BasicMed isn’t immune to health issues. If you develop a disqualifying condition—heart attack, epilepsy, certain mental health diagnoses—you can lose your eligibility. Even minor conditions can trigger extra documentation and doctor visits.

That’s where MOSAIC opens a new door.

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Welcome to the Sport Pilot Safety Net

The Sport Pilot certificate requires no FAA medical at all—just a valid U.S. driver’s license and self-certification that you are fit to fly. Before MOSAIC, the privileges were very limited: small two-seat LSAs under 1,320 lbs MTOW, slower cruise speeds, and day VFR only.

After MOSAIC, the performance envelope expands dramatically:

• Aircraft Weight: no limit (mission-based performance standard).
• Seats: Four seats allowed (still only one passenger with a Sport Pilot certificate).
• Speed: Higher cruise speeds possible (up to ~250 knots TAS within limits).
• Operations: Night flight allowed with appropriate training and equipment.
• Equipment: Constant-speed props, retractable gear (for certain types).

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What I Would Lose by Dropping to Sport Pilot

If I had to switch from BasicMed to Sport Pilot privileges, here’s what would change compared to how I fly today:

• ❌ No IFR flying – even in an IFR-capable Sling, I’d be limited to VFR only.
• ❌ Passenger limit – maximum one passenger, even if my aircraft has four seats.
• ❌ Some airspace and mission restrictions – depending on aircraft certification and pilot endorsements.
• ✅ VFR cross-country flying is still allowed – there’s no distance limit under Sport Pilot rules, so long as weather and aircraft range permit.
• ✅ Night VFR – possible under MOSAIC if the aircraft is equipped and I have the appropriate training and logbook endorsement.

In other words, I could still enjoy long VFR trips in my Sling—just without the flexibility of IFR and with fewer seats to fill.

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Medical Options Compared

Attribute	BasicMed (2025+)	Sport Pilot (Before MOSAIC)	Sport Pilot (After MOSAIC)
Medical Required	Original FAA medical held after July 15, 2006 + physician exam every 48 mos	Just valid U.S. drivers license	Just valid U.S. drivers license
Aircraft MTOW Limit	≤ 12,500 lbs	≤ 1,320 lbs	Performance-based (no preset MTOW)
Seats	Up to 6 seats	2 seats	Up to 4 seats (1 passenger max)
Cruise Speed	Up to 250 kt, < FL180	~120 kt max	Up to 250 kt max cruise
Stall Speed Limit (clean)	Same as aircraft certified	Sport pilot ≤ 59 kt Vₛ₁; aircraft ≤ 61 kt Vₛ₀	Same pilot stall speed limit ≤ 59 kt Vₛ₁; aircraft may now go up to 61 kt Vₛ₀
Flight Conditions Permitted	IFR/VFR day & night	Day VFR only	Night VFR allowed with training & endorsement; still no IFR for Sport Pilot
Equipment Limits	No restrictions	No retractable gear or constant-speed prop	Allowed with appropriate endorsements
Passenger Limit	Up to 5 passengers (total 6 seats)	One passenger max	One passenger max

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✅ Why It Matters

For pilots like myself—who rely on BasicMed today—MOSAIC creates a solid fallback option. If a future health event jeopardizes my medical eligibility, I can still fly comfortably under Sport Pilot rules (if my aircraft falls within performance thresholds), without waiting months on an FAA medical decision. I will only lose IFR capability and passenger flexibility—I can still fly VFR cross-country in capable Sport aircraft.

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My Personal “Fly Forever” Plan

For me, MOSAIC has turned the Sport Pilot certificate into a built-in backup plan. If my health changes and I can’t keep BasicMed, I can slide into Sport Pilot privileges without stopping flying. No FAA delays. No grounding while paperwork sits in Oklahoma City.

It’s peace of mind that I didn’t have before MOSAIC. My Sling is already a capable cross-country machine, and under MOSAIC’s new performance envelope, it fits well within what Sport Pilot allows. This change could add years—maybe decades—to my flying life.