Pilots Have Questions When It Comes to MOSAIC

Here’s an overview of the proposed MOSAIC regulations and some opinions provided during the comment period.

Dan Johnson

Friday, March 15, 2024 at 08:49 AM ET

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An AirCam flies low and slow out West over the desert. [Courtesy: Lockwood Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

The MOSAIC proposal significantly expands the capabilities of aircraft with special airworthiness certificates (new "MOSAIC LSAs"), removing weight limits, raising stall and speed limits, allowing more seats, retractable gear, adjustable props, and incorporating diverse propulsion systems like electric, hybrid, and turbine engines.
Key concerns revolve around pilot certification, specifically the desire for sport pilots to operate larger aircraft without a medical certificate and inconsistencies regarding night and IFR flight privileges that often conflict with existing medical requirements.
The regulation also introduces new noise requirements, sparks debate over the precise 54-knot stall speed limit, and raises questions about maintenance technician training and the preservation of owner maintenance privileges for the expanded aircraft categories.

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MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) is a regulation that affects all aircraft with special airworthiness certificates. Aircraft built by Cessna, Piper, Cirrus, Diamond, and others instead have standard certificates, and their new models remain untouched by this proposed regulation.

In contrast, all light sport aircraft (LSA), experimental amateur-built airplanes, and warbirds are issued special certificates. In my view, the rule can be divided into two main parts: airplane descriptions and capabilities, and pilot certificates, technician privileges, and operating limitations. In short, airplanes or people.