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 FAA's upcoming MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rulemaking is expected to significantly update U.S. Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) regulations, potentially allowing for more capable aircraft.
The European "ultralight" market, particularly aircraft displayed at AERO Friedrichshafen, serves as a strong indicator of what future U.S. LSAs might become, as EU regulations already permit features like higher maximum takeoff weights, faster speeds (e.g., retractable gear, constant-speed props), and commercial uses not currently allowed for U.S. LSAs.
Industry experts like Dan Johnson suggest the EU's current ultralight rules could be a precursor for post-MOSAIC U.S. LSAs, highlighting a "leapfrog" effect where one region's advancements often lead to similar changes in the other.
The FAA is under a Congressional mandate to release the MOSAIC rewrite's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) by December 31, 2023, with a release "highly likely" to occur around EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 to meet the timeline.

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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).