Question MOSAIC, LSA, and your Piper

Very interesting! Thanks for the info Scott.

Maybe the Tri-Pacer and Cherokee 140 will become more popular.

The public comment period is open and will run until mid-October. Go to this link to read the NPRM, review other commenters' opinions, and to submit your own comments.
​​​​https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/07/24/2023-14425/modernization-of-special-airworthiness-certification

When trying to determine whether your Piper fits into the Vs1=<54 KCAS classification, remember to calculate CALIBRATED airspeed. Many Piper aircraft have substantial installation error at the lower end of the airspeed spectrum.

For example, a PA-28-181 Archer III stalls at 45 KIAS Vs0 (full flaps) and 50 KIAS Vs1 (clean). However, when you consult the IAS-CAS table, you'll find that this aircraft actually stalls at 52 KCAS Vs0 and 58 KCAS Vs1. And thus, unfortunately, it does not meet the 54 KCAS Vs1 requirement.

A summary of the proposed regulations from EAA:

As you may have heard, the FAA recently released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the "Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification" (MOSAIC) initiative. First, it's important to note that this is a proposed rule. It still must go through the usual rulemaking process, with an extended public comment period. It will not be law for another several months at minimum. 

In short, part of the proposal includes an amendment to the Light Sport category, which will allow many legacy General Aviation aircraft to be operated by Sport Pilots (or Private Pilots flying under Sport Pilot rules). 

Here's more about MOSAIC:  www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/202...ion-proposed-at-last
Read the NPRM here: www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/0...hiness-certification

Here's what we know about the proposed reclassification:
1. Maximum allowable clean stall speed is 54 knots CAS. Note that this is Vs1, not the usual Vs0 (flaps down, gear down) stall speed that we pilots use on a daily basis and the FAA uses in reference material such as the PHAK.
2. Maximum speed is 250 knots CAS.
3. Controllable-pitch propellers are allowed.
4. Retractable landing gear is allowed.
5. Alternatives to piston engines are allowed.
6. The two-seat requirement disappears from LSA; although Sport Pilots will still be limited to carrying a single passenger.

I've heard a number of people asking "Will my Piper be considered an LSA under these new rules?"
Over the past couple of days, I've been collecting POHs and AFMs from various sources. This isn't an authoritative list, but should give an idea of what common Piper aircraft might be considered LSA under the MOSAIC proposal. Note that these are subject to data validation by the FAA. Hopefully the FAA will publish a final list of qualifying aircraft along with the final rules.

YES
Piper J-3
Piper PA-12
Piper PA-18
Piper PA-20 (all models)
Piper PA-22 (all models)
Piper PA-28-140 (ONLY early 1,950-pound MTOW versions)
Piper PA-38

NO
All PA-28 and PA-28R variants (other than the PA-28-140 mentioned above)
All PA-24

UNKNOWN (if you have one of these AFMs or Owner's Manuals, please send me a note!)
Early Piper tube-and-fabric designs not indicated already above. My assumption is that most, if not all, of these will qualify, but I do not have approved data for validation.