The Tecnam P92 Echo MK II is among the designs included in the light-sport aircraft category. Credit: Piper Aircraft
FAA on Tuesday announced the final adoption of its new regulation for light-sport airplanes, MOSAIC, or Modernization of Airworthiness Certification, which removes a static weight limit for the category and replaces it with performance-based criteria.
“As the risk increases due to increased operating privileges and aircraft capability, the rigor of certification requirements also increases,” the rule reads. Light sport can also include gliders, powered parachutes, small helicopters, gyroplanes, balloons and airships.
Historically, FAA had capped the category at 1,320 pounds (598 kilograms) and 1,430 pounds (648 kilograms) for a seaplane, which has generally limited such aircraft to two seats. MOSAIC allows designs up to four seats.
The updated regulation also increases the allowable stall speed to 61 knots (112 kph) from 45 knots (82 kph) and makes compliance with FAA noise limits “voluntary.”
Joby Aviation CEO JoeBen Bevirt praised MOSAIC in a LinkedIn post but stopped short of explaining how it might impact the California-based electric air taxi developer. Joby’s communication staff declined to answer additional questions.
The new regulation would “radically change how we live and travel, and, at Joby Aviation we’re perfectly poised to capitalize on those opportunities,” Bevirt wrote. MOSAIC holds the “potential” to “create a whole new generation of pilots and mechanics to support the air taxi industry.”
Curt Castagna, president and CEO of the Washington-based trade group National Air Transportation Association, said in a news release that “MOSAIC strengthens both the future pipeline and the retention of experienced aviation professionals.”
MOSAIC also permits new types of aerial work — including infrastructure and forest inspections, agricultural surveillance and photography — to be performed in a light-sport aircraft. It allows pilots with a sport pilot certification, which requires 20 hours of training versus a minimum of 40 hours for a private pilot, to fly a broader range of aircraft.
Changes for pilots and repair personnel take effect 90 days after the final rule is published in the Federal Register. Changes for aircraft certification take effect 365 days after publication.
FAA said the “solid” safety record of the light-sport category, created in 2004, demonstrated that the agency could expand the category. FAA proposed the MOSAIC expansion in 2023 and evaluated some 1,300 public comments on the draft rule.
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