MOSAIC Questions Linger in Light Sport Aircraft Community

Many pilots have questions about the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification proposed rulemaking underway at the FAA. Here are some answers.

Dan Johnson

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 01:37 PM ET

Verified

The long-awaited Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates (MOSAIC) boasts the potential to revolutionize the LSA market, bringing about a significant increase in their usefulness and creating new opportunities for sport pilots. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The MOSAIC proposal aims to significantly expand Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) capabilities by replacing the current weight limit with a 54-knot clean stall speed, allowing for heavier and more complex aircraft to qualify.
Sport pilot privileges, while expanding to include endorsements for high-performance or multi-engine aircraft, largely retain the one-passenger limit and VFR-only flight when using a driver's license medical, with the FAA's stance on medicals for night/IFR flight being a key point of contention.
Key concerns raised include the cost and feasibility of modifying existing certified aircraft to meet new LSA criteria, potential restrictions and shortages in LSA maintenance certifications, and manufacturers' willingness to re-certify older models.
The article strongly emphasizes the importance for pilots and industry stakeholders to submit comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) before its anticipated implementation in late 2024 or early 2025.

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Editor’s note: This article first appeared on Plane & Pilot.

I don’t know about you, but I can guess that Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) fatigue is setting into a lot of quarters. Some pilots have done an extraordinary job of digging into the FAA’s 318-page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) document to distill essential parts that need to be addressed. Many pilots get exhausted just looking at the NPRM.