T'was A Landmark Event For The Sport and General Aviation Community

By Gene Yarbrough

The Friday Night Town Hall at the inaugural Affordable Flying Expo (AFE25) in Lakeland, Florida, this past November was a landmark event for the general aviation community, primarily due to its open forum structure and the robust, unscripted exchange of information regarding the new FAA MOSAIC rule. Held on the SUN 'n FUN campus, the meeting provided a direct line of communication between industry leaders and enthusiasts, showcasing the inherent benefits of transparent, interactive dialogue in a time of significant regulatory change.

Benefits of Open Forum Town Hall Meetings

The town hall format was crucial to the meeting's success for several reasons:

• Promotes Transparency and Trust: By offering direct access to decision-makers and experts from organizations like the EAA, AEA, and ANN, the forum helped humanize the regulatory process and build trust. Attendees could see that their concerns were being heard and addressed in real-time, rather than through formal, one-way communication channels like press releases or official memos.
• Boosts Engagement and Community: The interactive nature of the meeting ensured that the audience was not merely passive recipients of information. It fostered a collective sense of purpose, uniting pilots, builders, and aspiring aviators around the shared goal of navigating the new era of affordable flying.

• Gauges Real-time Sentiment: For the expert panel, the open Q&A served as an invaluable feedback loop, allowing them to gauge the community's immediate concerns, challenges, and excitement surrounding the MOSAIC rule. This direct feedback is essential for continuous improvement in policy implementation and support.
• Breaks Down Silos: The event brought together diverse groups—manufacturers, flight schools, regulatory bodies, and individual pilots—providing a rare opportunity for cross-functional understanding and collaboration that might not occur in more traditional, siloed environments.

Open Exchange of Information

The open exchange of information was the lifeblood of the AFE25 town hall. Instead of relying on a pre-determined, "on the stage" format, the floor was opened to candid conversations and audience-driven questions.

• Candid Discussions on the MOSAIC Rule: The core of the exchange focused on the practical implications of the MOSAIC rule, which is revolutionizing sport aviation by expanding the types of aircraft that can be flown with a sport license.

The discussion covered:

• Regulatory Nuances: Experts clarified specifics of the rule change, helping attendees understand how it might impact existing aircraft ownership, new kit builds, and future designs.
• Training and Certification: Pilots received insights into potential changes to training requirements, licensing paths, and medical certification, making the entry into aviation more accessible for "everyday people."
• Safety and Best Practices: A critical aspect of the open dialogue was the consensus that sharing safety data and best practices is paramount to reducing general aviation accidents, mirroring strategies used in the airline industry. This transparent approach to safety information is vital as the community embraces expanded privileges.

In sum, the Affordable Flying Expo's town hall demonstrated that transparent, two-way communication is a powerful tool for navigating complex industry changes, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed, engaged, and aligned with a shared vision for the future of aviation.

The next Affordable Flying Expo is on schedule for November 13-15, 2026. Don't miss it.

FMI: https://affordableflying.net/