Flight Training - September/October 2023 - 30

PREFLIGHT MEMBERSHIP
BY DAVE HIRSCHMAN
ADDRESS CHANGE?
Send your new address and AOPA
membership number to AOPA:
MEANING OF MOSIAC
WHAT LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT REFORM MEANS FOR YOU
THE MULTIYEAR MODERNIZATION OF
Special Airworthiness Certification
(MOSAIC) reforms are on the verge of
delivering sweeping and far-reaching
changes that promise huge benefits to
a broad spectrum of GA pilots, aircraft
owners, instructors, technicians, and
manufacturers.
The FAA published a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) that promises
major benefits to GA. The main thrust
of MOSAIC redefines the light sport aircraft
category and dramatically raises the
size and performance capabilities of airplanes
that can be flown by sport pilots.
AOPA had long pushed to expand the
light sport aircraft definition, relax most
current operating limitations, and allow
certain operations for hire reserved for
certified aircraft.
MOSAIC ditches the current LSA
weight limit of 600 kilograms (1,320
seats, and travel at a top speed of 250
knots calibrated airspeed. In anticipation
of vertical takeoff and landing
aircraft, MOSAIC replaces the current
requirement that LSAs have a " single,
reciprocating engine " with an openended
allowance for " any number and
type " of powerplant.
It's a head-spinning turnabout.
Under the current LSA rules, for
example, a Cessna 152 doesn't qualify
because it has a gross weight of more
than 600 kilograms. The new rules will
allow 150s and 152s, as well as a Cessna
172, 172RG, 170, 180, and some 182s.
Sport pilots would still be limited to
taking no more than one passenger at a
time even if the airplane has more seats
than that. MOSAIC also imposes certain
noise restrictions.
MOSAIC also allows the use of
relatively inexpensive, safety-enhancing
avionics to be installed in LSAs regardless
of whether they're FAA certified,
and it allows manufacturer-approved,
appropriately equipped LSA airplanes
and qualified pilots to fly under
instrument flight rules in instrument
conditions.
Angle of attack indicators, envelope
protection equipment, and moving
maps are encouraged under MOSAIC to
promote " safe and cost-effective flight
training. "
pounds) and replaces it with " performance-based "
measures such as a 54-knot
maximum clean stall speed (V
S1
) that will
allow airplanes with gross weights up
to about 3,000 pounds to be operated by
sport pilots.
The new regulations also do away
with the current 120-knot LSA speed
restriction and allow controllable-pitch
propellers and retractable landing gear.
Sport pilots will be allowed to fly at night
and operate the more capable aircraft
with appropriate training and instructor
endorsements. Under the new definition,
light sport airplanes can have up to four
30
FLIGHT TRAINING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023
Among those likely to be enthusiastic
about the proposed changes are owners
of existing aircraft that could soon qualify
as LSAs, and experimental avionics
firms that can sell their products much
more broadly.
Increasing aircraft safety and performance
have historically been mutually
exclusive. But the authors of MOSAIC
say they believe they don't have to be.
According to the NPRM, the FAA " recognizes
that this is a balancing act. "
dave.hirschman@aopa.org
aopa.org/advocacy
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Flight Training - September/October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - September/October 2023