Is MOSAIC In Your Future?

Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 10:10 AM ET

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The STsw evolved from an earlier incarnation of the CT that sported a longer wing, but the change to the "sw" -- for "short wing" -- improved the bird's landing characteristics by reducing its tendancy to float on approach, a product of the CT's clean lines and efficient airfoil.

Key Takeaways:

The FAA's proposed MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates) initiative is widely supported by aviation groups like AOPA and EAA, aiming to significantly expand sport pilot privileges.
The proposal revises aircraft eligibility by replacing existing weight and speed limits with new criteria, such as a clean stall speed under 54 knots, a maximum level flight speed under 250 knots, and up to four seats.
This change will allow sport pilots to operate a much wider range of aircraft, including many common Cessna models, complex aircraft with endorsements, and those with alternative propulsion systems like electric engines, though sport pilots will still be limited to a single passenger.
The FAA justifies these expansions based on the established safety record of light-sport aircraft and a "safety continuum" approach.

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Both the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) are hailing the FAA’s late July 2023 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on the long-sought MOSAIC initiative. The acronym stands for “Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates,” and both organizations have been working with the FAA on it for years.

The proposal would significantly revise upward the pool of aircraft eligible for operation by sport pilots while also expanding the kinds of operations allowed. For example, the 1320-pound weight and 120-knot top speed limits for light sport aircraft (LSA) certification would go away, replaced with a new definition limiting fixed-wing aircraft to a clean stall speed (V_S1) of 54 knots calibrated airspeed, a maximum level flight speed (V_H) of 250 knots and four seats. A sport pilot would still be limited to only a single passenger, however.