MOSAIC Certification Initiative Takes Major Step Forward

The Experimental Aircraft Association applauded the FAA as the agency officially released a pre-publication version of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the long-awaited MOSAIC package of aircraft certification. MOSAIC, or Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates, would expand opportunities for light sport aircraft. Comments on the NPRM will be open for 90 days following the official date of publication in the Federal Register, which is expected later this week or early next week.

“MOSAIC had its genesis with a conversation between EAA and FAA officials nearly a decade ago, as we focused on safely creating more aviation opportunities for those who wanted to participate,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “Now that the NPRM is being released, we will study it closely and supply focused comments to ensure that the goals of this EAA-inspired initiative remain in the final language developed by the FAA. It will also undoubtedly be a topic of conversation as we gather for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh next week.”

EAA’s goals for MOSAIC, which have been consistent throughout several years of discussions, include:

• Changing the limitations of LSAs from an arbitrary weight to performance-based metrics will allow for larger and more capable aircraft and permit a wider range of students and instructors to fly them, significantly increasing access to flight training. This will afford flight schools more opportunities to refresh their fleets by making larger and more durable LSAs a viable option for training operations.
• MOSAIC will also enable innovation by removing the restriction that powered LSAs must have a reciprocating engine. This will enable future electric, hybrid, distributed power, and other new propulsion technologies.
• An expansion of the sport pilot certificate. By leveraging sport pilot’s system of training and instructor endorsements, we believe that current and future sport pilots can expand the privileges of their initial certificate to operate larger and more capable aircraft. This would apply to both sport pilots and higher-rated pilots operating under the privileges of a sport pilot certificate, enhancing a pathway for existing pilots to remain active in general aviation.

“We appreciate the work of all those in the FAA who kept this process moving forward,” Pelton said. “EAA has led the effort on this initiative to expand freedoms while maintaining safety, and we will continue to push forward until it becomes reality.”