AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2022 - 15

What is the status
of MOSAIC?
By Murray Huling
AOPA vice president, regulatory affairs
I N JU LY, BR A Z I L' S
aviation authority
completed regulatory
changes expanding
light sport aircraft
(LSA) authorizations
that allow up to four
seats, 185 knots, 61-knot
stall, variable pitch
propellers, takeoff weight of 1,361 kg (3,000
pounds), and piston or electric engines. It was
interesting see the speed at which the Brazilian
authority developed and implemented these
changes. The question to ask now is, where is
the FAA on MOSAIC? The Modernization of
Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC)
has been in the works for years.
At EAA AirVenture, excitement was in the
air based on information provided by the FAA,
creating a perception that MOSAIC was moving
along through the process with little delay.
We are hearing now that there are internal discussions
between FAA organizations on what
aircraft parameters should and shouldn't be
included in MOSAIC; these back-and-forth
discussions can lead to great decisions, but also
hinder progress because of analysis paralysis.
The FAA needs to get MOSAIC on course and
keep it on course.
LSA's have proven safe, and they afford those
who may not have considered flying and those
who wish to continue flying the opportunity to
do so. New LSA technologies offer increased
situational awareness, aircraft performance
monitoring, and other safety features not yet available
on certified aircraft. Easing the pathway for
additional new technologies-including powerplants-with
the proposed MOSAIC changes
will benefit a broader group of LSA-eligible aircraft
as long as the FAA keeps the currently
proposed incorporations in MOSAIC. AOPA will
remain focused and keep the pressure on to help
keep MOSAIC moving forward with our eye on
ensuring the general aviation industries' proposed
changes are incorporated.
murray.huling@aopa.org
ON THE FRONT L INES /
REGIONAL NEWS /
Hangar use
policies
By Stacey Heaton
AOPA Southern Regional
manager
IN 2016, THE FAA issued a policy
addressing expectations of
aeronautical and nonaeronautical
hangar use at grant obligated
airports. The policy is intended
to guide sponsors to keep in compliance
with federal rules. Tenant
reactions to the policy range from
not wanting any FAA involvement
in hangar use at all to those that
believe a hangar should only be
for storing aircraft and performing
maintenance. Airport sponsors
seem to impose policies that range
just as widely.
The FAA's policy allows for storage
of aircraft handling equipment
and tools used in servicing, maintaining,
and repairing your aircraft.
The policy allows a sponsor to
permit tenants to store incidental
nonaeronautical items that do
not interfere with aeronautical use;
it does not create a right to store
nonaeronautical items in hangars.
Many in-airport management roles
are not aircraft owners, while many
aircraft owners don't know the
rules airport sponsors must follow
to remain eligible for future grants.
If you feel your airport's hangar use
policy needs attention, review your
lease and the FAA's hangar use policy
frequently asked questions.
Then, start a conversation with your
airport management. With open
communication, perhaps adjustments
can be made.
stacey.heaton@aopa.org
faa.gov/airports/airport_
compliance/hangar_use
115
The number of
organizations in the
Avgas Coalition that have pledged to work
together and use the necessary resources
to make unleaded avgas for all aircraft a
reality. aopa.org/100UL
AL ASKA REGION
Initiated discussions with the Alaska
Interagency Coordination Center,
responsible for coordinating wildfirefighting
efforts, to ensure management
of associated TFRs, and to balance the
protection of fire suppression operations
with the needs for access to airports and
airspace during prolonged operations.
GREAT LAKES REGION
Participated in National Aviation Day
festivities at Columbus Municipal Airport
(BAK); coordinating opposition to Michigan
HB 6361, which would negatively affect
private airports, private landing areas,
and flying clubs in the state; co-hosted an
advocacy roundtable with the Minnesota
Seaplane Pilots Association.
EASTERN
AOPA and local ASN volunteer Steve
Socolosky attended meetings with the
Hartford Jet Center, board members from
the Hartford-Brainard Airport Association, a
representative of Goodwin University, and
others to solidify relationships and work
toward the preservation of HFD.
CENTR AL SOUTHWEST
Represented GA industry at the New
Mexico Airport Managers Conference.
NORTHWEST MOUNTA IN REGION
Partnered with ASN volunteer Scott
Breeman at Gen. Dick Stout Field Airport
(1L8) in Utah to improve perception of
airport, resulting in new noise abatement
procedures and improved community
relations. Presented on GA issues to
Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority.
aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
AOPA PILOT / November 2022
15
http://www.aopa.org/100UL http://faa.gov/airports/airport_compliance/hangar_use http://faa.gov/airports/airport_compliance/hangar_use http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2022
