2.1 Aircraft Performance Limits & Design Requirements (§ 61.316)

Aircraft Performance Limits & Design Requirements (§ 61.316)

Quick Summary: The MOSAIC rule moved sport-pilot aircraft limits out of the old § 1.1 aircraft meeting § 61.316 definition and into § 61.316. Effective for pilot certification/privileges on October 22, 2025, you may act as PIC only of an aircraft that has met these performance and design requirements since its original certification. Memorize the current numbers—especially airplane VS1 ≤ 59 KCAS and up to four seats—and do not answer with obsolete 1,320 lb / VH 120 (or mistaken 138) KCAS limits as if they were still the operational rule.

Why § 1.1 aircraft Numbers Are Exam Traps

Pre-MOSAIC materials drilled:

• MTOW 1,320 lb land / 1,430 lb sea
• VH ≤ 120 KCAS (not 138)
• VS1 ≤ 45 KCAS
• Two occupants, single reciprocating engine, fixed gear, fixed/ground-adjustable prop

Those figures described the old § 1.1 aircraft definition. Under current Subpart J, § 61.315(a) points you to § 61.316. Use historical aircraft numbers only if a question explicitly asks about the former definition.

Current § 61.316 Limits (Sport Pilot PIC Eligibility)

An aircraft must, since original certification, meet all applicable items below:

Stall Speed (VS1)

• General rule: maximum stalling speed / minimum steady flight speed without lift-enhancing devices (VS1) not more than 45 knots CAS.
• Airplane exception: VS1 not more than 59 knots CAS at maximum certificated takeoff weight and most critical center of gravity.

Seating Capacity

• General: maximum seating capacity of two persons.
• Airplane exception: maximum seating capacity of four persons.
• Passenger privilege reminder: § 61.315 still allows only one passenger, even in a four-seat airplane.

Cabin

Non-pressurized cabin if equipped with a cabin.

Powerplant / Controllability Design

For powered aircraft other than balloons or airships:

• Loss of partial power must not adversely affect directional control; and
• The design must allow a controlled descent after partial or total powerplant failure.

Helicopters operated by sport pilots must be certificated with the simplified flight controls designation.

Landing Gear

• Gliders: fixed or retractable.
• Other powered aircraft: fixed landing gear, unless you meet § 61.331 for retractable gear.

Propellers (powered aircraft other than gliders)

Fixed, ground-adjustable, or automated controllable-pitch propellers are contemplated in § 61.316(a)(9). A manual controllable-pitch propeller on an airplane requires the § 61.331(b) endorsement pathway via § 61.316(b).

What Was Removed

• No maximum takeoff weight in § 61.316.
• No absolute VH ceiling in § 61.316 (endorsements at 87 KCAS remain under § 61.327).
• Multi-engine and non-reciprocating powerplants are no longer barred the way the old single-reciprocating aircraft rule barred them—subject to the controllability and other § 61.316 design rules (turbo-jet powered aircraft remain outside the sport-pilot concept as implemented in MOSAIC guidance).

Comparison Table (Historical aircraft vs Current § 61.316)

Gyroplane / Category Nuances

Gyroplanes retain a fixed-pitch, semi-rigid, teetering, two-blade rotor system requirement in § 61.316(a)(4). Always apply the category-specific paragraphs, not airplane exceptions, when the question names a non-airplane category.

How Examiners and Knowledge Tests Probe § 61.316

Expect scenario stems such as:

• “May a sport pilot fly Airplane X with VS1 of 55 KCAS and four seats?” → Check airplane VS1 ≤ 59 and seats ≤ 4, then apply the one-passenger rule.
• “Is a 1,400 lb airplane automatically illegal?” → Weight alone is no longer disqualifying under § 61.316.
• “The airplane has a manual controllable-pitch propeller—legal?” → Only with § 61.331 training/endorsement (and otherwise meeting § 61.316).

Interaction with Higher Certificates

A Private Pilot exercising sport-pilot privileges must still obey sport-pilot limits while doing so. Holding a higher certificate does not erase § 61.315 altitude, visibility, passenger, or endorsement constraints for that operation. Conversely, a sport pilot who later upgrades to Private Pilot gains night/passenger/airspace privileges under Private rules—not by stretching sport-pilot limits.

Design Philosophy Behind MOSAIC

The FAA shifted from a rigid weight-and-speed box to performance-based stall-speed and design constraints so newer trainers and personal airplanes could enter the sport-pilot ecosystem without pretending every eligible airplane is a 1,320 lb LSA. Your job on the knowledge test is to apply the current regulation text, not the 2004 study-guide flashcards.