U.S. Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, announced a long-awaited, final version  of the MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rule at this year’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

“This is one of most significant rule packages for general aviation in the past 75 years,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “This creates what can be called Sport Pilot 2.0, as it builds on the safety and momentum established by that rule two decades ago and opens tremendous possibilities for current and future pilots, flight schools, manufacturers, and many others.”

This rule has been in the works for over 10 years and represents big changes, particularly for the Sport Pilot and Light-Sport Aircraft pilot. Under the new rules, LSA will be classified by weight rather than stall speed (as in the past). This will allow sport pilots to fly most aircraft with a stall speed up to 59 knots, and pilots holding a PPC (or above) to fly most aircraft with stall speeds up to 61 knots.

The new rule, which will be implemented 90 days after its publication, will allow sport pilots to fly up to 70% of the current general aviation fleet, including many legacy airplanes.  Changes for LSA certification will be phased in over the coming year.

This rule change came after years of input from the general aviation community and industry. Advocates of these new measures believe they have the potential to transform general aviation.

“For over a decade, pilots around the country, including myself, have been advocating for MOSAIC to become a reality,” said U.S. Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a long-time pilot. “This is a huge win that will fundamentally transform general aviation. It will ensure light sport aircraft are more versatile and accessible, foster innovation in the light sport aircraft category, and make it easier for more people to become pilots.”

Other changes included in this rule are:

  • Allowing for new types of propulsion and modern avionics
  • Allowing aerial work with LSA, such as infrastructure and forest inspections, photography/filming, and agricultural surveillance
  • Reducing regulatory requirements by expanding the types of aircraft that qualify as LSA and the types of aircraft pilots can fly under Sport Pilot privileges.

“By expanding the kinds of aircraft sport pilots can fly — including many popular four-seat legacy aircraft — and by simplifying certification pathways, we are opening the door for more people to experience the freedom and joy of aviation,” said Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association CEO Darren Pleasance.

What’s the next step? GA advocacy groups plan to review the new MOSAIC rule in depth. When the review is completed, EAA officials plan to create programming  that will capitalize on the new possibilities this rule has created.

You will find the entire final rule at FAA.gov.

Information for this article taken from: Long-awaited MOSAIC final rule released — General Aviation News