Proposal 'Increases Opportunities for Pilots, New Recreational Aircraft'

The Experimental Aviation Association once again urged the FAA to move forward with MOSAIC, or 'Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification'.

The EAA notes that the new rule will "significantly benefit general aviation – expanding the capability, size, and scope of aircraft that can be built utilizing industry consensus standards and aircraft that can be flown while exercising Sport Pilot privileges". That's right in their wheelhouse, offering much more capable aircraft to the average pilot while maintaining similar safety standards enjoyed by the last go at "affordable aviation", the Light Sport Aircraft designation.

“For a decade, EAA has offered ideas to the FAA on safely expanding the potential of sport pilot and light-sport aircraft, and those innovations are the genesis of the MOSAIC concept,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “With MOSAIC, EAA’s initial ideas have been encompassed in an initiative that will maintain elevated levels of safety while expanding access to training aircraft and foster innovation, as well as bringing economic growth and workforce development into the aviation community. EAA has also brought forward suggestions for minor modifications that would make MOSAIC in its final version even more effective.”

The EAA took point on comments that were cosigned by industry friends in the NBAA, NATA, and others. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking only has a few points of note to the EAA, most importantly regarding stall speeds, sport pilot passenger privileges, and requirements for LSA repair certificates. The EAA would prefer that the stall speed requirement is 'slightly increased', and that sport pilots be allowed to fly with 3 passengers. That last point will help sport pilots make the most of the new wave of 4-spot aircraft offered in the LSA niche... as well as keep them legal in doing something a good number of less legally apt pilots might unknowingly do anyway.

“All of EAA’s recommendations consider safety as the priority while envisioning pathways to take full advantage of opportunities that MOSAIC can provide for increased growth and vitality of recreational aviation,” Pelton said.

FMI: www.eaa.org