Data / Federal rules / 2025-13972
Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification
The Federal Aviation Administration published this final rule in the Federal Register on July 24, 2025. It took effect on October 22, 2025.
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What the agency says
FAA is amending rules for the manufacture, certification, operation, maintenance, and alteration of light-sport aircraft. The amendments enable enhancements in safety and performance and increase privileges under a number of sport pilot and light-sport aircraft rules. These enhancements include increasing suitability for flight training, limited aerial work, and personal travel. This final rule expands what aircraft sport pilots may operate. This final rule also amends the special purpose operations for restricted category aircraft; amends the duration, eligible purposes, and operating limitations for experimental aircraft; and adds operating limitations applicable to experimental aircraft engaged in space support vehicle flights to codify statutory language.
Key facts
- Document number
- 2025-13972
- Type
- Final rule
- Action
- Final rule
- Agency
- Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Published
- July 24, 2025
- Takes effect
- October 22, 2025
- Dates
- This final rule is effective October 22, 2025, except for amendatory instructions 3, 8, 9, 13, 15, 17, 21, 23 through 26, 71, 72, 75, 76, and 80, which are effective July 24, 2026.
- Docket
- Docket No. FAA-2023-1377; Amdt. Nos. 1-80, 21-109, 22-1, 36-55, 43-63, 45-32, 61-159, 65-66, 91-381, 119-22, and 147-10
- Regulation ID (RIN)
- 2120-AL50
- Code of Federal Regulations
- 14 CFR 1; 14 CFR 21; 14 CFR 22; 14 CFR 36; 14 CFR 43; 14 CFR 45; 14 CFR 61; 14 CFR 65; 14 CFR 91; 14 CFR 119; 14 CFR 147
- Topics
- Administrative practice and procedure; Agriculture; Air carriers; Air taxis; Air traffic control; Air traffic controllers; Air transportation; Aircraft; Airmen; Airports; Aviation safety; Educational facilities; Exports; Imports; Incorporation by reference; Noise control; Recreation and recreation areas; Reporting and recordkeeping requirements; Schools; Signs and symbols; Teachers; Transportation; Voluntary standards
- Pages
- 189
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|---|---|---|
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| Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, LLC Helicopters 2026-21664 | Final rule | Oct 23 |
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| Establishment of Class E Airspace; Havana, IL 2026-21565 | Final rule | Oct 22 |
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| Establishment of Class E Airspace; DeKalb, IL 2026-21563 | Final rule | Oct 22 |
| Airspace Designations; Incorporation by Reference Amendment of FAA Order JO 7400.11M 2026-21422 | Final rule | Oct 20 |
| Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters 2026-21387 | Proposed rule | Oct 19 |
Everything from the Federal Aviation Administration · Rules on administrative practice and procedure · Rules on agriculture · Rules on air carriers · Published in July 2025
Read from the Federal Register API, last updated 2026-10-23. The document on federalregister.gov is the official record; dates and dockets can change through later corrections. Free to reuse with credit to SpecStream under CC BY 4.0.