MAKE CHAPTER 288 YOUR AVIATION HOME! E-AB, TYPE CERTIFIED, VINTAGE, WARBIRD, ETC.
SECURITY TFR OVER CAPE CANAVERAL, FL ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2026 AND THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026
WELCOME TO the EAA288 website -- NO Sign-in is required
IT'S WITH A VERY HEAVY HEART, I'M SADDENED TO ANNOUNCE THAT SONEX HAS IMMEDIATELY GONE OUT OF BUSINE
In an emotional video message, Mark Schaible, owner of Sonex LLC, announced that the company is shutting its doors immediately. He cited bank pressure and the inability to secure loans to continue operating the business. In his address, he apologized to Sonex builders, customers, and vendors while acknowledging that the news will be difficult to hear and accept.
(I know Mark personally and pray for his well being - he's an outstanding, sincere and wonderful person!)
EAA288 4th annual TAXI-IN PICTURES - MARCH 2026
artemis II launch windows: April 1-6
God Bless the usA
THIS WEBSITE WAS LAST UPDATED ON APRIL 1ST @ 0830
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WEBSITE QUESTIONS/SUGGESTIONS
Contact Rick Weiss, VP & Webmaster @ eaa288webmaster@gmail.com
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PLEASE NOTE:
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THERE IS NO NEED TO SIGN INTO THIS WEBSITE, YOU'RE ALREADY IN IT! DON'T BOTHER USING THE HEAD FIGURE IN THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER AT THE TOP THE PAGES - IT'S A USELESS ARTIFACT OF THE SYSTEM - READ ON AND ENJOY!
ALSO
DUE TO WEBSITE SPACE LIMITATIONS, THESE FRONT PAGE SECTIONS ARE FREQUENTLY USED TO PUBLISH ITEMS OF INTEREST.
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NEW AND EXCITING
JOIN EAA 288 IN MOVING FORWARD IN THE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION WORLD
PLEASE SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW EMAIL SERVICE AND RECEIVE IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION OF HAPPENINGS WITHIN EAA288.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW AND FILL OUT THIS SIMPLE FORM
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Other sources that share EAA288 information:
Our Facebook group can be found at EAA Chapter 288 Daytona Beach &
Instagram group page: @eaa.288
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OF PILOT & BUILDER IMPORTANCE to ALL RV AIRCRAFT
Van's recommends a specific type of emergency egress hammer to break the canopy in the event of an emergency!
Emergency Egress Hammer
Because preparation is an important part of safety, Van’s Aircraft is recommending all RVs carry an Emergency Egress Hammer. (One is available on the Van’s webstore.) It’s important to note that egress hammers designed for automobiles may not be compatible with the aircraft use, since spring-loaded plungers designed to break glass are not effective on the plexiglass used in aircraft windows and canopies. The proper tool will have a hammer heavy enough to break through plexiglass to aid emergency egress. Please read the entire Service Bulletin 00079 for more detail.
Here's the link to SB-00079:
https://www.vansaircraft.com/service-information-and-revisions/sb-00079/
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OF PILOT & BUILDER IMPORTANCE TO THE RV-14's
As of March 20 a new SERVICE BULLETIN, SB-00128, has been established by Van's that addresses a serious canopy issue for all RV-14's!
Canopy Latch Pin Improvements
The side canopy retention pins have been observed to lift partially out of their sockets during aggressive aerobatic maneuvers and overspeed conditions. To increase retention margins during these conditions, we are lengthening the side and rear canopy pins. This service bulletin affects RV-14 and RV-14A models whose finish kits were shipped before 3/20/26. Changes include side canopy pins lengthened to increase retention margins during aggressive aerobatic maneuvers and overspeed conditions, and the rear canopy‑latch pin engagement depth increased. A complete retrofit kit can be found on the Van's store. Here's a quick link to the SB!
https://www.vansaircraft.com/service-information-and-revisions/sb-00128/
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THE EAA288 YOUNG EAGLES PROGRAM
PARENTS: THESE ARE FREE EVENTS
If you are an EAA288 Pilot or you are parent who wishes to introduce their children to the wonderful and exciting world of aviation by giving them the opportunity to experience flying, please follow these simple steps:
SCROLL TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE:
CLICK ON: CHAPTER ACTIVITIES
THEN CLICK ON: YOUNG EAGLES PROGRAM
NOTE: By following these simple steps you will also be able to view an actual EAA288 Young Eagle event on You Tube.
Click Here to view a video produced by Volusia County Schools for their private organization Young Eagles Rally.
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CHAPTER 288 NOW HAS OVER 310 MEMBERS
IT IS THE LARGEST EAA CHAPTER AND WE'RE STILL GROWING!
YOU ARE INVITED TO BECOME A MEMBER OF EAA 288
We look forward to meeting and welcoming you to our Chapter!!
Chapter 288 works to continue the spirit of general aviation in the Daytona Beach area. We host several events throughout the year for our members which feature prominent aviators and aviation technology.
Chapter 288 members also volunteer at aviation related functions throughout the community to teach people about general aviation. Volunteering at local airshows and hosting Young Eagles events are some of the ways that EAA 288 members participate in the community. Please scroll down to the blue box at the end of this section and click on it to join our Chapter.
Chapter 288's members are also very involved with the EAA on a national level. The chapter also has a good turnout at the EAA's annual 'AirVenture' in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
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FYI: EAA288 ALSO HAS OUTSTANDING SIMULATORS AVAILABLE
Great news—the Simulator’s have received their ‘recertification papers’ from VirtualFly (manufacturer) via the FAA.
Both officially FAA Certificated through 2031!!
Waahoo! 🙌😃
The official paperwork is posted in sim room!!
Usage is for Chapter 288 members in good standing only. The address of the sim room location is Doris Kennedy's hangar at 224 Cessna Blvd (accessible by outside coded door, receive code from instructor)
Please remember when scheduling the sim session for the first time as a single student, i.e. without an approved instructor, member must be checked out on sim usage individually by either sim director Jack Morey (preferred) @ (386)235-5797 email john727@earthlink.net or another instructor listed on the sim page.
Please make sure this person is contacted directly to schedule. This is to insure correct usage procedures are followed.
Finally, this is a friendly REMINDER for ALL users that schedule with an instructor or self, to please bring sufficient cash or a check for the sim usage rate of $40/hour.
Please click on the Flight Simulator, Chapter Activities Tab at the top of this page. Thank you.
Sim Rates and Chapter Dues
SIM RATES:
Those who donated to the acquisition of the sims will pay $10 per hour. All others will need to pay $40 per hour.
CHAPTER DUES
The Chapter dues are $50 per year.
Reminder: You must be a member in good standing of EAA National to be a Chapter 288 member.
$$$$ REMEMBER $$$$
ALL donations & contributions above dues & sim usage fees are tax deductible as a charity (501.3c corporation)
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TO JOIN OUR EAA CHAPTER
OR
PAY DUES or MAKE a DONATION
Just click the Blue Button
AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS SECTION
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SUN 'n FUN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
My name is Cara Vasquez, and I help coordinate volunteers for SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo. As many of you know, SUN ’n FUN thrives because of the incredible aviation community across the nation— including many EAA members who already volunteer with us each year. If any of your chapter members are among those who regularly lend us their talent and time, please accept our sincere gratitude. We truly couldn’t do what we do without them. I’m reaching out to personally invite your entire chapter to participate with us this year as volunteers. Whether your members have been with us for decades, or if this would be your first time joining us as a group, we would love to welcome you. There are opportunities across the event suited for all ages, skills, and comfort levels — from hands-on operational roles to guest engagement, youth programs, exhibit support, and more. My goal is to make volunteering easy, enjoyable, and meaningful for every participant. I will personally serve as your chapter’s point of contact, so if anyone in your group has questions about volunteer roles, schedules, perks, group arrangements, or anything else at all, please feel free to reach out to me directly. Thank you again for everything you and your members do to support aviation in your local communities, and I look forward to working with you. With Respect,
Cara Vasquez
Office Manager, Aerospace Center for Excellence & SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo
863-904-6820 | 813-763-0730 |
THE COUNTDOWN TO SUN n FUN 2026 CONTINUES
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AOPA CHAIRMAN REPORTS CHANGE OF COMMAND
By James N. Hauslein, chairman, AOPA Board of Trustees
As we look forward to the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo in April and our annual meeting in May, I want to share some updates regarding AOPA’s operations and Board of Trustees leadership. These updates reflect AOPA’s relentless commitment to advocating for general aviation and to evolving our leadership for the future. Your board’s principal motivation is positioning AOPA to represent our membership effectively and ensure that the organization thrives for the next 85 years.
Operational updates
This year is off to a fast start on many fronts. In February, the AOPA team hosted a full array of activities at our AOPA Fly-In during the Buckeye Air Fair, just outside of Phoenix, for the more than 38,000 pilots and aviation enthusiasts who attended. These included a Pilot Town Hall, Foundation meetings, and our exclusive members-only AOPA Flightline Chalet.
Our Government Affairs team continues working with members of Congress on legislative responses to the tragic 2025 DCA midair collision that could affect GA operations. Proposed bills would mandate ADS-B In in airspace where ADS-B Out is already required. AOPA is advocating for the use of portable ADS-B In devices to reduce potential costs for GA pilots if a mandate becomes law. We are also supporting legislation to prohibit the use of ADS-B data for airport fee collection, and we are working with the FAA to improve the designated pilot examiner (DPE) program, medical certification reform, ATC modernization, and airport protection.
As we share this update with our members, the AOPA team is preparing for Sun ’n Fun in Lakeland, Florida, from April 14 to 19. For those who attend, we look forward to engaging with you at our scheduled events and hospitality tent.
Governance update
As you know, AOPA has a long history of protecting GA and providing our members with essential benefits, such as Pilot Protection Services and the You Can Fly program. To safeguard this legacy, the board must continually innovate and integrate fresh perspectives. Achieving this goal requires periodic reviews of the entire organization, including our governance policies and procedures.
Your board began this review in 2024 and has recently received member feedback on AOPA governance. In response, we consulted experts in membership organizations, governance, and bylaw development. With their input and yours, the board is now in the advanced stages of recommending for member consideration several bylaw updates, including changes to the trustee nominating process, proxy requirements, board size, and the establishment of trustee qualifications and term limits. We will share more details ahead of the May 12 annual meeting and look forward to your feedback. This review is an important step in keeping AOPA strong, innovative, and positioned to serve our members and the broader GA community.
This evolution includes a commitment to renewing our leadership ranks. To that end, AOPA has added four independent trustees to our 11-person board during approximately the past two years. We continue to recruit and make way for fresh perspectives and the next generation of leadership. To support that effort, former Board Chair Bill Trimble and I have decided not to stand for reelection to the board at the May annual meeting. As pilots, aircraft owners, and long-term board members with decades of service between us, we are stepping down with mixed emotions, given our dedication and passion for AOPA’s mission. Still, we are confident that making way for the next generation of leaders is the right decision for AOPA.
I am pleased to announce that your board has elected Luke Wippler to assume the role of board chair. An AOPA member since 2005 and trustee since 2015, Luke is a private pilot with multiengine and seaplane ratings. He brings to this role an abiding passion for aviation and nearly 25 years of executive experience in the financial services industry. Luke combines strong business acumen with a deep passion for aviation and represents the next generation of AOPA leadership. The board strongly believes he is the right leader to guide AOPA’s next chapter.
I have total confidence in AOPA’s future. Under the astute leadership of Luke and the excellent AOPA team, our organization is well-positioned to thrive, innovate, and meet the numerous difficult challenges facing GA. It has been an honor to serve AOPA and all of you. Thank you for your support and membership in this great organization!
The Board of Trustees would be pleased to receive your feedback. Please address your comments to BoardofTrustees@AOPA.org.
Digital Airman Certificate Bill Clears U.S. House
Updated March 25, 2026
Measure would permit pilots to present electronic credentials during FAA inspections.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 2247, the Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act, a bill from Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., that would allow pilots and other certificate holders to present either a physical certificate or a digital version when asked to show their credentials during a Federal Aviation Administration inspection.
The bill applies to FAA-issued airman certificates, including medical certificates, and says a digital airman certificate could be presented from an electronic device or, where internet access is available, through a cloud-based system. It also directs the FAA to establish methods for authentication and verification and to issue a final rule implementing the change by Nov. 30, 2028.
Burchett said the measure to allow digital airman certificates is intended to update certification requirements to reflect current technology.
“Technology has advanced, and aviation regulations should reflect that,” Burchett said. “If passengers can have their boarding passes on their phones, pilots should be able to digitally carry copies of certification documents. My bill will give pilots the flexibility to safely and securely present their credentials in a way that matches today’s digital world.”
The House approved H.R. 2247 alongside several other aviation measures, including H.R. 3410 to allow civil domestic supersonic flight over land, H.R. 6267, which would direct the Government Accountability Office to examine obstacles to wider use of digital documentation for aircraft parts, and H.R. 6427, which would give general aviation airports added flexibility for some construction projects.
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said the package of bills addresses issues that industry groups have been raising for years.
“Taken together, the bills promote innovation in aircraft development, efficiency through increased use of digitization and investment in aviation infrastructure,” Bolen said.
MOSIAC IS NOW THE LAW OF THE LAND
Sport Pilot 2.0 and EAA Chapters
By Christopher Gauger, EAA 746128, EAA Chapter Field Representative
October 2025 – One of the most important initiatives promoted by EAA has come to fruition. Effective October 22, 2025, pilots who hold a sport pilot certificate or fly under sport pilot privileges
in the United States will have access to a much wider range of aircraft they can fly. This reform to the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations, known as the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC), was in the works for more than a decade.
The final rule was announced during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, (see the next article below) and after years of advocacy by EAA and others, what we are calling Sport Pilot 2.0 is now in effect.
Top 5 Things to Know About Sport Pilot 2.0
1. 70 percent of the single-engine piston aircraft fleet in the UnitedStates are now eligible to be flown by sport pilots.
2. A maximum clean stall speed of 59 knots (67 mph) will be permitted for sport pilot-eligible aircraft.
3. Aircraft with up to 4 seats can be flown by sport pilots (increased from 2 seats).
4. Sport pilots can fly with up to 2 occupants in the aircraft (pilot plus one passenger).
5. There is no longer a maximum weight limitation for sport pilot-eligible aircraft.
MOSAIC also revises the light-sport aircraft category, allowing newer and more capable models of light-sport aircraft to be developed and sold on the market starting on July 24, 2026. It also expands
the scope of aircraft available for the Light Sport Repairman Maintenance (LSRM) rating, allowing more non-builder owners of amateur-built aircraft to perform their own annual condition inspections and other maintenance on their aircraft.
What Sport Pilot 2.0 Means for EAA Chapters
You may be wondering what effects Sport Pilot 2.0 will have on your EAA chapter and its members.
The biggest impact is that it will directly support EAA’s mission to grow participation in aviation. With a sport pilot certificate, we hope to see new aviators learn to fly in half the time and at half the cost, compared to those pursuing a private pilot certificate. Members of your chapter who just want to fly for fun now have more opportunities to do so, saving time and money to obtain their pilot certificate and relying on their driver’s license in place of an FAA-issued medical certificate or
BasicMed. More people will be able to enjoy The Spirit of Aviation.
Other positive impacts include:
More Aircraft to Fly: Sport pilots will have a much broader selection of aircraft to use for training and to own or rent. For example, common single-engine piston airplanes such asCessna 172s and most Piper PA-28s are now sport pilot eligible, whereas they were off-limits prior to MOSAIC due to the previous aircraft limitations. This means more people will be able to participate in general aviation activities.
More Sport Pilot CFIs: There are now more incentives for pilots to become a sport pilot certified flight instructor (in accordance with 14 CFR 61 Subpart K). The sport pilot CFI certificate is easier to obtain than the traditional CFI certificate. It allows instructors to train
sport pilot students in sport pilot-eligible aircraft and be compensated for it. With more sport pilot CFIs entering the field, this would make more CFIs available to train sport pilot students, which will also free up traditional CFIs to focus on training private pilots and those
pursuing advanced certificates and ratings such as instrument and commercial.
Homebuilt Aircraft: Sport pilots and those exercising sport pilot privileges will have more makes and models of homebuilt aircraft they can fly. This will directly support the homebuilding side of EAA, with many more kit planes and plans built airplanes being sport
pilot eligible.
Young Eagles & Eagle Flights: More pilots will be able to volunteer to provide EAA Young Eagles flights for kids and EAA Eagle Flights for adults. For example, a sport pilot will be able to fly Young Eagles in a Cessna 172, so long as they only fly one passenger at a time in
accordance with the sport pilot rules, in addition to adhering to the Young Eagles pilot requirements. This means your EAA chapter will have more pilots to recruit for Young Eagles rallies, Flying Start events, and one-o Young Eagles flights and Eagle Flights.
Ray Aviation Scholarship: The sport pilot certificate will be more attractive for potential scholars, especially those not pursuing a flying career. Although most Ray scholars seek a flying career, those who intend to work in a ground-based aviation role (e.g. aerospace
engineer, A&P mechanic, airport manager) would benefit from a sport pilot certificate. They can also upgrade to a private pilot certificate later in their aviation journeys if they decide to pursue something more advanced in the air.
These are just a handful of the effects that Sport Pilot 2.0 will have on the EAA chapters’ members and activities.
To learn more about MOSAIC and Sport Pilot 2.0, visit EAA.org/MOSAIC. If you have any questions specifically about MOSAIC and Sport Pilot 2.0, send them to mosaic@eaa.org or govt@eaa.org.
Q: Where can I read the rule?
A: The final rule, including the preamble and supporting documentation, can be found by clicking on the link at the bottom of this article. After October 22, 2025, the new rule language will be incorporated into relevant parts of the “FARs” (Chapter 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations) on all up-to-date online and print sources.
Q: When do the different parts of the rule take effect?
A: Sport pilot privileges will take effect October 22, 2025, 90 days after they are published in the Federal Register.
Light-sport aircraft standards will take effect July 24, 2026, 365 days after they are published.
Q: What is the new max “clean” stall speed?
A: The new max “clean” (VS1) stall speed is 59 knots. Anything with four or less seats and a stall speed of 59 knots or less is now sport pilot eligible. Sport pilots are allowed to have one passenger.
Q: What if my aircraft does not have a documented stall speed?
A: The bottom of the green arc on your airspeed indicator (or equivalent for nonstandard markings) should be your VS1 speed. Otherwise, the preamble of the rule recommends following the stall testing procedure specified in Advisory Circular 90-89C, Amateur-Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Test Handbook. EAA’s Flight Test Manual also includes a stall testing procedure.
Q: Can I fly as a sport pilot if I’ve been deferred or denied a medical?
A: No. Your most recent medical application must have been successful. (Read 14 CFR 61.23(c)(2)).
Q: Is my Cessna 172 a light-sport aircraft?
A: No. The term “Light-Sport Aircraft” now only refers to aircraft certification rules for aircraft designed and built to meet the requirements of the category. A Cessna 172 remains a standard
category aircraft.
Q: How does Sport Pilot 2.0 affect maintenance of legacy aircraft?
A: The MOSAIC final rule does not change how legacy certified aircraft are certified or maintained. While early discussions of MOSAIC did include a category for legacy aircraft to be recertified for
easier maintenance and modification, this proposal ultimately was not included in the proposed 2023 rule or the 2025 final rule.
Q: Do private pilot privileges change with the rule?
A: No. Private pilot certificates and privileges experience no change with this rule.
Q: Do private pilots have any special privileges versus sport pilots when operating under a driver's license medical?
A: No. If a private pilot wishes to exercise sport pilot privileges with a driver’s license medical, the regulations treat them no differently than a sport pilot, without any additional privileges. However,
private pilots are credited for previous training and don’t require the same endorsements sport pilots do for towered airport operations or any other complex endorsements previously achieved.
Q: How can I fly at night as a sport pilot?
A: You must have a current FAA medical certificate (3rd Class or higher) or BasicMed and have proper training and endorsements to fly at night.
Q: How can I exercise my new sport pilot privileges?
A: On October 22, 2025, you can fly any aircraft that fits into the new sport pilot specifications. Depending on the aircraft you may need additional training and endorsements. HOWEVER, all
pilots are strongly encouraged to obtain proper training and proficiency before acting as pilot in command of any aircraft.
Q: How do my privileges change as a current sport CFI?
A: Your instructor privileges expand with your PIC privileges as a sport pilot. Sport pilot CFIs who hold the proper medical certification, training, and endorsement may instruct at night under the
new rules.
Q: If I have taken an E-LSA repairman course, do I need to take another to be able to do annual inspections on E-AB?
A: No, you do not need to take another course. The repairman certificate you earned is applicable to airplanes certificated as experimental light-sport and experimental amateur-built (from plans or a kit).
Q: Can I get an instrument rating as a sport pilot?
A: No. You also may not exercise the privileges of an instrument rating when flying under sport pilot privileges.
Q: Can I conduct “aerial work” as a sport pilot for compensation or hire?
A: No. “Aerial Work” is a feature of the aircraft certification rule for new S-LSAs, allowing these aircraft to be used for certain commercial operations with the support of the manufacturer. The pilot will need to be appropriately rated.
Q: How will insurance companies react to Sport Pilot 2.0?
A: We cannot speak for insurance companies. They will set their rates and policies relative to the assessed risk. However, we have been through the rollout of the 2004 Sport Pilot rule and BasicMed, and insurance companies have generally been willing to insure pilots operating under these rules.
Our community is nearing a significant date — October 22, 2025 — that kicks o a “New Era in Recreational Aviation.” On this date, the changes to the sport pilot regulations as part of the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) final rule, or Sport
Pilot 2.0, take effect. These changes have the potential to benefit many areas of our community positively. Here are just a few:
Existing Sport Pilots
On this date, the 7,000-plus holders of sport pilot certificates will now have the ability to fly a host of different aircraft makes and models. This means that sport pilots will no longer be limited to just light-sport aircraft as defined in the 2004 rule, but now can access most of
the existing general aviation training fleet available at almost all local airports. With this change, sport pilots are no longer restricted to aircraft with a maximum weight of 1,320 pounds and two seats. They will be able to fly any aircraft with a clean stall speed (Vs1) of
59 knots or less, with a maximum of four seats, and up to one passenger. This includes the Cessna 150, 152, 172, and many 182s, many Piper Cherokees and Archers, and many legacy vintage aircraft such as Luscombes and older Bonanzas. To take advantage of these changes, sport pilots should be scheduling training flights and aircraft checkouts with their local flight schools and instructors now so that they are proficient to fly once the rule takes effect.
Existing Pilots holding Private Pilot or Higher Certificates
October 22, 2025, has special meaning for many other recreational aviators as well. On this date, pilots who hold private pilot certificates or higher and who choose to exercise sport pilot privileges can do so in any aircraft with a clean stall speed (VS1) of 59 knots or less, a
maximum of 4 seats, carrying up to one passenger, and, during daylight hours, utilizing a driver’s license in lieu of a third class medical or BasicMed. The ability to fly these larger aircraft with a driver’s license in lieu of a medical certificate means that many pilots can
transition from smaller aircraft, such as Ercoupes, Champs, Cubs, and past light-sport aircraft (1,320 pounds), to larger aircraft that now qualify. It may also mean that pilots who have not been flying recently may be returning to flying after a hiatus. These pilots should
also contact their local flight schools and FBOs to schedule time with an instructor and prepare for the opportunity to fly. Additionally, these people should review the status of their driver’s license. Hopefully, they haven’t missed an expiration date.
Flight Schools and Flight Instructors
The changes with Sport Pilot 2.0, especially those becoming effective on October 22, 2025, mean that flight schools and flight instructors are likely to have many more opportunities to engage in and promote sport pilot instruction. With this comes the need to understand thesport pilot certificate, as well as the importance of understanding pilots who are
“exercising sport pilot privileges.” These changes mean that most flight schools and flight instructors now have access to aircraft that make training sport pilots a viable option. This offers the ability to market aviation beyond a commercial career, highlighting the
recreational aspects, while utilizing most of the same aircraft you have access to today.
What’s Next?
The opportunities brought about by the FAA’s Sport Pilot 2.0 present many great opportunities for general aviation. It’s up to our community, our pilots, flight schools, instructors, aircraft manufacturers, and associations to creatively embrace these opportunities. EAA will continue to develop content and resources related to Sport Pilot 2.0
and post them at EAA.org/MOSAIC.
More questions?
Again, head to the eaa.org/mosiac website for answers!
If you have even more questions, or are bored this fall, here's the link to the official Federal Register publication for MOSIAC: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/MOSAIC_Final_Rule_Issuance.pdf
THE COUNTDOWN TO AIRVENTURE 2026 CONTINUES-JULY 20, 2026
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BILLS TO STOP ADS-B MISUSE INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS -- but the fl legislature has passed it's version
UPDATE APRIL 1, 2026
The Florida legislature has passed a bill to stop the use of ADS-B to collect fees. It is currently on the Governors desk to be signed.
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Legislation introduced in Congress, the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act, seeks to address growing concerns about the misuse of ADS-B, which has been increasingly used to collect fees from pilots.
The bills, S.2175 and H.4146, were introduced June 26 by Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Rep. Bob Onder (R-Mo.), respectively.
The bills seek to do the following:
- Prohibit the use of ADS-B data to assist in the collection of fees from pilots or aircraft owners.
- Clarify that ADS-B data may only be used for its intended purposes of air traffic safety and efficiency.
- Give the secretary of transportation the discretion to authorize other uses of ADS-B data.
- Expand, to all federal, state, and local entities, a provision in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 preventing investigations from being initiated based solely on ADS-B data.
- Ensure public-use airports make transparent the impact of any new fees on general aviation and businesses and require revenue collected to be used for airside safety improvements.
“On behalf of AOPA, I want to thank Senator Budd and Representative Onder for leading on this important aviation safety issue. Both are active private pilots and understand that using ADS-B data for economic reasons clearly undermines the FAA’s 2020 ADS-B safety mandate intended to provide situational awareness of an aircraft’s position for air traffic control purposes,” said AOPA President Darren Pleasance.
“ADS-B is a critical safety technology mandated by the FAA and more accurate than radar. Abusing this technology to levy unfair, sometimes duplicative fees and threatening pilots with legal action will keep some general aviation pilots grounded, which is a loss for America’s economy, emergency response, and the aviation community at large,” said Budd.
Budd was joined by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) with the introduction of S.2175. S The latest status as of 6/2025: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
“As a pilot with years of experience using ADS-B technology, I understand the game-changing impact it has had on aviation safety,” said Onder. “By communicating an aircraft’s identification, airspeed, heading and altitude, ADS-B has dramatically improved situational awareness for pilots, as well as the real-time data air traffic controllers need to keep pilots and passengers safe. Unfortunately, some third parties have taken advantage of this data to impose and collect exorbitant third-party landing fees and frivolous lawsuits targeted at general aviation pilots and travelers. These uses of data for purposes other than air traffic safety act as a deterrent for pilots to equip their aircraft with this potentially life-saving technology.”
AOPA works with airport managers and leaders to help find ways to diversify revenue streams and communicate effectively with those who use public airports.
GA pilots spent more than $600 million complying with the FAA’s 2020 safety mandate and were assured that ADS-B would only be used for improving safety and efficiency in the national airspace system.
Gov. Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) recently signed into law legislation that would prevent airports in Montana from using ADS-B data to collect landing fees. This legislation was championed by state Rep. Shane Klakken (R-Grass Range). Similar legislation has also been introduced in the Minnesota legislature.
“We appreciate the recognition this issue is receiving at the state level, but we do want to avoid a patchwork of laws across the country and that is why these bills in Congress are so important,” added Pleasance.
The expansion of BasicMed privileges is LAW
Under the new law signed May 16, pilots may nowuse BasicMed privileges to fly aircraft weighing up to 12,500 pounds and certified to carry up to seven occupants. The previous aircraft weight limitation was 6,000 pounds, with certification for up to six occupants.
Read More About It From AOPA
Here:
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2024/november/14/basicmed-expansion?utm_source=epilot&utm_medium=email
FAA to Restrict Access to Aircraft Registration Database
New rule aims to shield private aircraft owners from harassment
ADS-B was created as a means of making aviation safer, as it gave pilots an extra tool to maintain situational awareness. Unfortunately, ADS-B combined with third-party websites that track aircraft is making it possible for keyboard warriors (the pilot term for internet trolls) to track down the owners of aircraft through the Federal Aviation Administration aircraft registry.
These people send anonymous letters to the owner’s address as listed in the FAA database. Often these letters come from someone who doesn’t like aircraft and include a threat to report the pilot to the FAA for alleged violations or threatened with a lawsuit.
The FAA, as required by Public Law 118-63 as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 has implemented Section 803 Data Private which allows private aircraft owners to request that their name and address be kept private and not publicly available on FAA websites.
To do this, private aircraft owners and operators need to make an electronic request of the FAA through the Civil Aviation Registry Electronic Services (CARES).
How the agency will make this happen has not been determined yet, as the FAA is publishing a Request for Comment (RFC) in the Federal Register.
The FAA wants to know how often people or organizations access or use registered owner information and how is this information used, as well as what would be the impact on privacy, safety, and accessibility of information if the identified categories of registered owner information are removed from public availability.
In addition, there is the question of what the impact of the removal of this information would have on stakeholders who need the information as part of performing maintenance, safety checks and other regulatory compliance.
For more information contact the FAA at faa.aircraft.registry@faa.gov
ADS-B was created to promote safety, as it gives pilots an extra level of situational awareness. Unfortunately, it is also being misused by persons who want to curtail aviation in their community. Because the complaint letters are anonymous even when they contain threats of physical violence there is very little if anything law enforcement can do. Meanwhile, the FAA has to investigate allegations of violations, especially those that suggest safety was compromised such as an aircraft flying too low over a residential area.
REMEMBER - A GOOD PREFLIGHT IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!
UPCOMING & PAST LAUNCHES FROM KSC AND CCSFS
NASA WILL LAUNCH THE SLS ARTEMIS 2 MISSION TODAY, APRIL 1 @ 1824 FROM LC-39B
SPACEX WILL LAUNCH THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-58 APR 2 @ 0752 FROM SLC-40
SPACEX WILL LAUNCH THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-58 APR 2 @ 0752 FROM SLC-40
NASA’s Space Launch System rocket will launch an Orion spacecraft on the Artemis 2 mission, the first crewed flight of the program.
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen will perform a lunar flyby during a roughly 10-day mission that will see their capsule, ‘Integrity’, splash down in the Pacific Ocean.
Along with them, four CubeSats will ride along as secondary payloads:
- TACHELES from the German space agency DLR
- ATENEA from Argentina’s space agency CONAE
- K-RadCube from the Korea AeroSpace Administration
- Space Weather CubeSat-1 from the Saudi Space Agency
SPACEX WILL LAUNCH THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-58 APR 2 @ 0752 FROM SLC-40
SPACEX WILL LAUNCH THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-58 APR 2 @ 0752 FROM SLC-40
SPACEX WILL LAUNCH THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-58 APR 2 @ 0752 FROM SLC-40
Starlink is a constellation of satellites that orbit low Earth and transmit broadband internet. It's operated by SpaceX, a private spaceflight company.
- How it works
Starlink satellites act as communication bridges between ground stations and satellite antennas on users' buildings. The satellites orbit at a lower altitude than traditional models, which reduces latency and allows for faster data transmission.
- History
Starlink began with the launch of two test satellites in February 2018. It entered an experimental connectivity phase in fall 2020 and began full commercial operations in 2021.
- Satellites
SpaceX hopes to have as many as 42,000 satellites in the Starlink constellation. The current V2 Starlink satellite weighs about 1,760 lbs at launch, which is almost three times heavier than the older generation satellites.
The booster will be recovered on a barge on the Atlantic Ocean about 8 minutes after launch.
ULA WILL LAUNCH THE ATLAS V AMAZON LEO (LA-05) NOW APRIL 4 @ 0145 FROM SLC-41
SPACEX WILL LAUNCH THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-58 APR 2 @ 0752 FROM SLC-40
SPACEX WILL LAUNCH THE FALCON 9 THE FALCON 9 NG-24 MISSION APR 8 @ TBD FROM SLC-40
This launch is delayed due to weather. The spacecraft and rocket are healthy.
Amazon Leo (LA-05)
is an upcoming United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 mission to deploy satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper broadband constellation.
The mission aims to strengthen the 3,236-satellite Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network designed to provide global, high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity.
SPACEX WILL LAUNCH THE FALCON 9 THE FALCON 9 NG-24 MISSION APR 8 @ TBD FROM SLC-40
SUCCESS! SPACEX LAUNCHED THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-62 MAR 22 @ 1047 FROM SLC-40
SPACEX WILL LAUNCH THE FALCON 9 THE FALCON 9 NG-24 MISSION APR 8 @ TBD FROM SLC-40
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft, a cargo vehicle, to the International Space Station. The spacecraft was named the S.S. Steven R. Nagel in honor of the former NASA astronaut who flew four space shuttle flights and amassed 723 hours in space.
The NASA cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission will use a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to launch the upgraded Cygnus XL spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying over 8,200 pounds of supplies and research, including the LeopardSat-1 CubeSat.
- Mission Designation: 24th Cargo Resupply Mission (NG-24).
- Payloads: Includes the University of Cincinnati's LeopardSat-1 CubeSat to study microgravity effects on electronics.
- Spacecraft Upgrades: Features the new, larger Cygnus XL module.
- The booster will be recovered on a barge on the Atlantic Ocean about 8 minutes after launch.
SUCCESS! SPACEX LAUNCHED THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-44 MAR 30 @ 1715 FROM SLC-40
SUCCESS! SPACEX LAUNCHED THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-62 MAR 22 @ 1047 FROM SLC-40
SUCCESS! SPACEX LAUNCHED THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-62 MAR 22 @ 1047 FROM SLC-40
Starlink is a constellation of satellites that orbit low Earth and transmit broadband internet. It's operated by SpaceX, a private spaceflight company.
- How it works
Starlink satellites act as communication bridges between ground stations and satellite antennas on users' buildings. The satellites orbit at a lower altitude than traditional models, which reduces latency and allows for faster data transmission.
- History
Starlink began with the launch of two test satellites in February 2018. It entered an experimental connectivity phase in fall 2020 and began full commercial operations in 2021.
- Satellites
SpaceX hopes to have as many as 42,000 satellites in the Starlink constellation. The current V2 Starlink satellite weighs about 1,760 lbs at launch, which is almost three times heavier than the older generation satellites.
The booster was recovered on a barge on the Atlantic Ocean about 8 minutes after launch.
SUCCESS! SPACEX LAUNCHED THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-62 MAR 22 @ 1047 FROM SLC-40
SUCCESS! SPACEX LAUNCHED THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-62 MAR 22 @ 1047 FROM SLC-40
SUCCESS! SPACEX LAUNCHED THE FALCON 9 STARLINK MISSION 10-62 MAR 22 @ 1047 FROM SLC-40
Starlink is a constellation of satellites that orbit low Earth and transmit broadband internet. It's operated by SpaceX, a private spaceflight company.
- How it works
Starlink satellites act as communication bridges between ground stations and satellite antennas on users' buildings. The satellites orbit at a lower altitude than traditional models, which reduces latency and allows for faster data transmission.
- History
Starlink began with the launch of two test satellites in February 2018. It entered an experimental connectivity phase in fall 2020 and began full commercial operations in 2021.
- Satellites
SpaceX hopes to have as many as 42,000 satellites in the Starlink constellation. The current V2 Starlink satellite weighs about 1,760 lbs at launch, which is almost three times heavier than the older generation satellites.
The booster was recovered on a barge on the Atlantic Ocean about 8 minutes after launch.
Our History
Daytona Beach's Spirit of Aviation
Daytona Beach's Spirit of Aviation
Chapter 288 started in the 1970s, and originally met at nearby Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The chapter took regular trips to the Spruce Creek Fly-In, located in Port Orange, Florida, and soon moved their meeting location to Spruce Creek. Chapter 288 is unique, because of it's location. 288 is located at the intersection of young aviation enthusiasts from the University and experienced aviators along Florida's Space Coast.
Daytona Beach's Spirit of Aviation
Daytona Beach's Spirit of Aviation
Daytona Beach's Spirit of Aviation
Chapter 288 works to continue the spirit of general aviation in Daytona Beach area. We host several events throughout the year for our members which feature prominent aviators and aviation technology. Chapter 288 members also volunteer at aviation related functions throughout the community to teach people about general aviation. Volunteering at local airshows and hosting
Young Eagles events are some of the ways that EAA 288 members participate in the community. Chapter 288's members are also very involved with the EAA on a national level. The chapter has a good turnout at the EAA's annual fly-in "AirVenture" in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
EAA HQ OSHKOSH, WI
Daytona Beach's Spirit of Aviation
EAA HQ OSHKOSH, WI
The EAA works on a national level to help endure the "spirit of aviation." They work to get children who have an interest in becoming a pilot, air traffic controller, mechanic, etc. achieve their goals. EAA sponsors workshops for homebuilders teaching skills neccesary for them to build their own airplanes. Founded in 1953 by Paul Poberezney, the EAA has worked for over 60 years to keep general aviation alive and prospering into the future. They work today with other aviation organizations to ensure that aviation friendly laws are passed in Washington D.C., and to help ensure that general aviaiton will continue well into the future. To learn more about the Experimental Aircraft Association on a national level, and how to join, please visit their website at EAA.ORG