Why South Africa Should Pay Attention to the U.S. MOSAIC Rules

By Garth Calitz

The long-anticipated MOSAIC regulation package from the FAA, which stands for Modernisation of Special Airworthiness Certification, represents the most substantial update to American light aviation regulations in 20 years. Supported by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), MOSAIC significantly broadens the capabilities of Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA), revises Sport Pilot privileges and establishes a contemporary, more adaptable certification framework for manufacturers.

While MOSAIC is a U.S. initiative, its implications will be felt far beyond American borders. For South Africa, which already has a strong non-type certified aircraft sector, an active NTCA community and a growing interest in electric propulsion, MOSAIC signals regulatory trends likely to influence global authorities, including the rather rigid SACAA, in the years ahead.

Under the original 2004 LSA rules, aircraft were restricted by rigid limits:

• 600 kg maximum takeoff weight

• Fixed-pitch propellers

• Fixed landing gear

• 120-knot max cruise

• Two seats

These limitations quickly became outdated as technology evolved. MOSAIC replaces these with performance-based standards, allowing:

• Significantly higher maximum weight

• Faster cruise speeds

• Retractable gear (for amphibians and specific categories)

• Constant-speed or variable-pitch propellers

• Additional seats in some aircraft

• Electric and hybrid propulsion

Instead of being boxed into a narrow weight category, aircraft can now be designed with modern materials, avionics and propulsion systems without being disqualified from LSA certification.

For South African pilots and manufacturers, the shift is noteworthy. NTCA aircraft in SA have often been limited more by local rule conservatism than technical merit. MOSAIC shows a global move toward risk-based, performance-oriented regulation, a direction many in the SA industry have long advocated.

Perhaps the biggest winners under MOSAIC are Sport Pilots. The U.S. Sport Pilot licence, roughly equivalent to South Africa’s National Pilot Licence (NPL), was previously limited by old LSA restrictions.

MOSAIC now allows sport pilots to fly aircraft with:

• Higher weight and payload

• Improved performance

• Advanced powerplants

• Constant-speed propellers

• Retractable gear in some cases

This is particularly important because sport pilots in the U.S. are allowed to fly using just a driver's license for medical certification, a system that has operated safely for almost 20 years. In South Africa, where NPL holders are restricted to 600 kg and simple configurations, MOSAIC raises an intriguing question: Could SA eventually follow suit?

Local aviation bodies, including the Aero Club of South Africa, CAASA and independent ARO's are likely to watch U.S. safety data closely. If the FAA demonstrates that higher-performance aircraft can be safely flown by pilots operating under simplified medical requirements, it may strengthen the case for similar reforms in SA.

MOSAIC also modernises certification rules, giving manufacturers greater flexibility through expanded ASTM consensus standards. The intention is to reduce certification costs, shorten development timelines and encourage innovation in:

• Electric aircraft

• Hybrid propulsion

• Modern trainers

• Composite designs

• Advanced autopilot and safety systems

This aligns strongly with South Africa’s NTCA culture. Local manufacturers such as Sling Aircraft, Kit Planes for Africa, Jabiru South Africa and MGL Avionics could benefit indirectly from a global regulatory shift toward lightweight, technologically advanced personal aircraft.

If their models meet MOSAIC’s performance criteria, they become more exportable to the U.S. market, a major economic opportunity which has been severely curtailed by the recent trade tariffs in recent times.

One of the most forward-looking aspects of MOSAIC is its explicit accommodation of electric and hybrid propulsion. With no weight penalties for batteries and the removal of legacy rules designed around piston engines, electric LSA development becomes far more viable. MOSAIC’s acceptance of electric designs may accelerate global adoption, eventually influencing SACAA policy and stimulating local development.

While South Africa is not bound by FAA decisions, history has shown that innovations in American light aviation frequently ripple out worldwide. MOSAIC’s impacts likely include:

1. Pressure for Regulatory Modernisation:

   SACAA may face calls to re-examine outdated weight and configuration limits applied to the NPL and LSA categories.

2. Greater Access to Modern Aircraft:

   As international manufacturers redesign aircraft to meet MOSAIC criteria, those models may also enter the SA markets.

3. Enhanced Export Potential for Local Builders:

   South African NTCA designs could find a larger customer base in the U.S., stimulating the local industry.

4. A Boost for Electric Aviation:

   With the FAA clearing a path, the SA regulator may be more willing to adopt electric-certified categories.

MOSAIC is more than a U.S. regulatory update; it marks a global change in how light aircraft are built, certified and flown. South Africa, with one of the world’s most vibrant NTCA communities, stands to benefit from watching these developments closely. Whether MOSAIC becomes a template for future SACAA regulations remains to be seen, but one thing is certain:

The world of light aviation has entered a new era and South Africa is well-positioned to take advantage of it.