The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) says that its Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rulemaking initiative has made substantial progress after a meeting with FAA officials in Washington, D.C., earlier this week. EAA also met with the FAA during AirVenture to discuss MOSAIC, which is designed to “relieve builders of well-proven homebuilts of some of the burdens that have limited their aircraft’s use and flexibility but not enhanced safety.”
“We are pursuing improved operating limitations that are much less restrictive for certain parts of the amateur-built community,” said EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety, Sean Elliott. “It is a natural step given the proven and continuing high level of safety within the homebuilt community. This rulemaking initiative, along with redefining light-sport aircraft, is one of EAA’s top priorities over the next two years.”
EAA says that MOSAIC is intended to expand amateur-built pathways while leaving the traditional approach in place. Examples given by the organization of some of the proposed changes include allowing assistance from professional builders beyond the 51-percent rule and letting a contractor build a complete aircraft for a client.
The MOSAIC rulemaking package will also include language for light-sport reform, according to EAA. Although the specifics for the LSA proposal have not yet been laid out, the organization expects the reform to expand the LSA category to include more qualifying aircraft and make provisions for features such as electric propulsion. EAA says MOSAIC seems to be on track to enter the FAA rulemaking process in early 2019.
This story was originally published on AVweb.com.
