Aero Friedrichshafen 2022: A Preview of LSA after MOSAIC?

‘Ultralights’ in the European Union hint at what light sport aircraft can be in the U.S.

Friday, April 15, 2022 at 08:18 AM ET

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The show floor at Aero Friedrichshafen always has plenty of “ultralights” and sailplanes. [Courtesy: Aero Friedrichshafen]

Key Takeaways:

The upcoming FAA MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rulemaking is poised to significantly update U.S. light sport aircraft (LSA) regulations.
The AERO Friedrichshafen trade show in Germany offers a preview of potential post-MOSAIC LSAs, as European "ultralight" aircraft often possess advanced capabilities (e.g., higher max takeoff weight, faster speeds, retractable gear) not currently allowed for U.S. LSAs.
Industry experts anticipate that post-MOSAIC, U.S. sport pilots may gain access to more capable aircraft, such as the high-performance EU version of the JMB VL3.
A major announcement concerning the MOSAIC rewrite's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is expected at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022, driven by a Congressional mandate for the FAA to update regulations by late 2023.

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We all know that looking into the future is only possible in sci-fi movies. Even the finest crystal ball will not be able to say with any degree of accuracy what the light sport aircraft (LSA) market will look like in the U.S. after the FAA releases its final version of the upcoming MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rulemaking effort.

There is, however, a way to take a pretty good look at what LSAs might become once MOSAIC is etched in stone. You’ll need to travel to Friedrichshafen, Germany, and attend the upcoming 2022 Aero Friedrichshafen trade show (AERO22), known affectionately as “AERO”—much like EAA’s AirVenture is referred to by many simply as “Oshkosh.” This year’s AERO22 show is April 27-30 at the Messe Friedrichshafen convention complex, adjacent to Bodensee Airport (EDNY).