It’s a word that’s popping up everywhere. At the hangar, in the clubroom and all throughout this edition of SportPilot. So, what does MOSAIC mean? Let’s clarify.
The Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule is a new proposal by the Federal Aviation Administration in the US. MOSAIC is designed to update the 2004 Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) rule, which laid out the regulations surrounding the aircraft flown by the “Sport Pilot” category of pilots in the American industry, effectively the American equivalent of RAAus.
Where the LSA rule was quite restrictive in its regulations, MOSAIC seeks to redefine the term “LSA” in the US to include almost any aeroplane with a stall speed under 54 knots, with no prescribed MTOW.
It’s a progressive proposal that many believe will bring regulation in line with modern safety standards and aircraft capabilities.
So, what changes will MOSAIC bring? There is plenty of speculation out there, but the general consensus is that MOSAIC is significant enough to usher in a new era of recreational aviation. There are three factors that experts are pointing to as evidence.
Firstly, and perhaps most obviously, a post-MOSAIC industry would see a drastic increase in the number of aircraft available for recreational pilots to fly. Several legacy aircraft would seamlessly fit into the new regulatory framework, including models from big players like Tecnam and Cessna. This gives pilots more freedom of choice, and provides a boon to the industry who suddenly have a larger market to sell to.
Secondly, training opportunities are set to explode, as training providers currently offering Private Pilot courses will be able to offer RAAus training on the same aircraft type. This could see training providers pop up across the country, enticing more potential pilots into the fold.
Finally, eased restrictions will likely spur on a new wave of innovation in the industry. With much more weight to play with, we’re likely to see faster, roomier and more sturdy aircraft come out of our favourite factories. MOSAIC also recognises the importance of electric powerplants. The LSA rule failed to foresee this, and was later addressed by ASTM 2840-14. This kind of regulatory greenlight could massively increase the level of innovation in the electric space.
While the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive to the proposal, there have been a few questions raised from the community. The main point of contention is around the stall speed, the large majority of comments on the proposal recommend raising this to either 56 or 58kts, to allow aircraft like the Piper Cherokee, one of the most popular trainers of all time, to be allowed as well.
The proposed rule is still under deliberation in the US, and is not expected to be published until late 2025. Nonetheless, what the US does often has significant flow-on effects around the globe. Australian pilots and regulators alike are watching closely for what comes of this proposal, as it may mean significant changes to Australian operations in the coming years as well.