CASA last week provided their first thoughts on how the MOSAIC regulations could be applied in Australia.
Speaking in the September issue of the CASA Briefing newsletter, a spokesperson said they saw the new regulations as good policy that could be implemented in Australia progressively.
MOSAIC updates and redefines the light sport aircraft (LSA) category to remove arbitrary maximum take-off weights and permit new technologies that were banned under the original 2004 ruleset.
"We've been closely watching the evolution of MOSAIC, which is due to come into force in the US next year, and we view it as a good policy which can be progressively introduced in Australia as part of our forward regulatory program," the spokesperson said.
"The existing US system differs from the way we operate in Australia and holders of our recreational pilot licences (RPLs) in some cases already have greater privileges than their US counterparts.
"The US also does not have an equivalent of our approved self-administering organisations (ASAOs) which we will need to consider as part of implementation locally."
In the USA, all aircraft including LSAs are registered with and administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but they also have a Sport Pilot licence that permits restricted operations such as the 600-kg MTOW limit and one passenger only. MOSAIC also make modifications to expand those privileges, which may not need to be adopted in Australia.
In Australia, CASA needs to consider if the new LSA regulations can be extended to RAAus administration, which is currently limited to aircraft with MTOWs of 760 kg, and if Recreational Pilot Certificate privileges can be amended to cover MOSAIC aircraft.
"The first changes in the US relating to sport pilot privileges are scheduled to take effect in late October with further reforms slated for July 2026," the CASA spokesperson said.
"Introducing particular MOSAIC outcomes into Australia will require regulatory changes and we’re considering our approach and policy on a phased implementation.
"We'll continue to analyse the FAA MOSAIC rules in the context of existing CASA rules and will work closely with industry stakeholders to find the best outcome for Australia."