Well before Sun ‘n Fun 2025, a remarkable thing happened. The large and small of aviation got together to request the administration grant special handling for aircraft in the Tariff Wars.
Giants like GAMA, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and small organizations like LAMA, the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association joined forces to make the tariff exemption request. Wish them luck! You may benefit.
If you think a GAMA/LAMA joint initiative is an unusual request, you may have missed that aircraft and aircraft parts are often exempted from these sorts of political power plays. The whole world recognizes the value of aviation. Yet compared to cars, computers, steel, or oil, aircraft and aircraft parts represent a modest percentage of the global marketplace. Since it is important yet relatively small, it has frequently received special handling.
Colorful Aeroprakt LSA welcomed visitors to Paradise City, home to LAMA’s LSA Mall.
At Sun ‘n Fun a remarkable thing repeated. Again, leaders got together, but this time it was to discuss and explain Mosaic. LAMA President Scott Severen was able to bring EAA President Jack Pelton and AOPA President Darren Pleasance on stage with ASTM expert Adam Morrison (via video link) on the topic of Mosaic. Well done, Scott!
Meeting of Minds
An article similar to this one will appear in the June 2025 issue of Plane & Pilot. That one is aimed at GA pilots but ByDanJohnson.com readers get an early look here. Both articles are published inside the Firecrown network that also includes Flying and Kitplanes magazines.
Scott Severen, President of LAMA the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association introduces his esteemed panel to a large audience.
On Sun ‘n Fun 2025‘s opening day we witnessed a meeting of minds. Pilots come to Sun ‘n Fun looking for specific aircraft or flying gear. Despite this attraction, a large crowd instead sat down to hear about a FAA regulation. Does that illustrate a high level of interest in Mosaic?
Many of us hoped for an announcement at this summer’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 (July 21-27) but Scott’s leadership team on stage said it will likely be “at least August” before Mosaic is released. After FAA releases Mosaic, an “effective date” will follow in 30-60 days.
Yes, it seems like another delay.
Remember, though, the efforts leading to Mosaic began when LAMA began lobbying FAA on the 10th anniversary of the Sport Pilot / Light-Sport Aircraft regulation (2014). After FAA’s proposal started to take shape it emerged during the dark, uncertain days of Covid. Work proceeded to near-completion but then had to pause while a new political administration was installed. This is the delay we’re hearing about now, but it should only be a month or so later than long expected, so said the panelists Scott assembled..
EAA’s Pelton offered several insights, including this comment, that will thrill many pilots who have followed Mosaic’s development, “This [new rule] will encompass airplanes like the Cessna 172 and Cessna 182.”
AOPA’s Pleasance was even more plainspoken, “Nothing [about Mosaic] has slowed down or stopped. It’s still a priority for FAA.” He observed recent conversations indicate that FAA considers Mosaic “a win” — then adding, “And they [FAA] need a win right now.”
Count the Wins…
in September?
As the long-awaited rule arrives, more capable Mosaic LSA will be able to increase maximum speed to 250 knots, can have controllable-pitch propellers, plus retractable landing gear. An increase in stall speed will enable increased aircraft weight, more robust airframes, more safety equipment, greater fuel loads, and more seating capacity (although not for Sport Pilots). Although no weight is specified in Mosaic, airplanes weighing 3,000 pounds will be included in this rulemaking, as Pelton noted.
LAMA’s Scott Severen (L) addresses a large crowd supported by AOPA’s Darren Plesance (C), EAA’s Jack Pelton (R), and Adam Morrison (on screen).
Mosaic aircraft are constrained from becoming very large by regulating stall speed. FAA proposed clean stall at 54 knots, 20% more than current LSA but still not quite enough to include some airplanes pilots want included.
Pelton said EAA is pushing for an increase to 58 knots. If that happens he said, “Probably close to 70% of every current certified single-engine piston aircraft in the fleet today would qualify to be flown as a Light-Sport Aircraft.” That’s particularly important as many pilots prefer to use a driver’s license in lieu of an aviation medical, as they now can on LSA. This is a very big deal to many aviators.
Mosaic Triumvirate…
If stall is raised — 58 knots to 61 knots have been suggested — Pleasance recognized, “A whole host of aircraft become available to be used for Light-Sport training and the Sport Pilot license,” He believes that can reduce the cost of flight training.
“What an exciting time to be involved in aviation,” Severen concluded!
Here’s hoping this rule emerges from the Tariff Wars and “releases” the airplanes we desire.
September 30 is the only thing the three organizations have in common; they’ve snooked the vast majority of Light-Sport pilots for over 20 years waiting for the Mosaic. 🤣
Mosaic has not been in progress for 20 years but it has seen a considerable wait.
Not holding my breath. 9 weeks and still waiting for my registration. Prior to the mass layoffs the turnaround time was 3.5 to 4 weeks. There is a huge backlog now at the FAA. Maybe the people doing MOSAIC were spared, but the minions doing the paperwork are gone.
Thank you Scott for your leadership and for pulling this team together at Sun ‘n Fun to keep this important rulemaking initiative (MOSAIC) at the forefront. This will be a huge “Win” for the FAA and General Aviation!
Thanks, Sue! It is always great to hear from you! —Dan
I’d like to see something from the FAA that supports the claim ‘MOSAIC is still a priority for the FAA”.
Thant’s what AOPA believes after recent conversations with FAA contacts… but of course, this is nothing “official.”
I wouldn’t be holding my breath waiting for that.
I’m still curious what the point would be to have a delay from announcement to allowing sport pilots to get into 172s (with an instructor to check them out, of course).
The delay is caused by installation of a new political administration. Until a rule like Mosaic is released, FAA personnel in the field have no guidance. Hopefully, you won’t have to be patient much longer.
I meant the 30-60 day delay. Why announce a rule if it can’t be used yet?
Exciting times indeed! Looking forward to the next chapter in General Aviation.