Five on Friday: MOSAIC, Asian harmonisation and Hartzell Propellor
This week the FAA approved the regulatory framework known as the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification – MOSAIC for short.
Aimed at sparking growth and innovation in the light sport aircraft (LSA), the approval represents a substantial overhaul of US regulations for the segment of general aviation.
One key feature is the expanded definition of light sport aircraft from two seats up to four.
In addition, the framework permits the use of new technology, such as distributed electric propulsion systems and constant-speed propellors, opening up new opportunities for aircraft manufacturers.
Sports pilots will also be allowed to undertake more missions, such as night flying, as long as they receive the relevant training.
The approval has been welcomed by developers targeting the LSA segment with their personal eVTOLs. Israeli company AIR, which also has operations in the US, hopes to be among the first to qualify for LSA certification.
Rani Plaut, CEO and co-founder of AIR, said: “We believed from AIR’s inception that accumulating eVTOL flight hours via private rather than commercial use is the more realistic approach to ensure regulators, insurers, and the public are comfortable with this revolutionary technology. As a result, while working with the FAA in parallel on full type certification for our aircraft, we designed our first production batch in adherence with the MOSAIC rule.”
Meanwhile, it has been an action-packed week in the eVTOL world.
In an effort to move towards global regulatory harmonisation, 20 states issued joint guidance on how to regulate new eVTOL air taxi services and drone operations. Nations included: China, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Philippines and Vietnam.
Companies such as US-based Archer, Japan’s SkyDrive and Brazil’s Eve Air Mobility also participated in the meeting hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
Elsewhere, Hartzell Propeller received the first ever FAA Part 35 type certification for a propeller built specifically for an electric engine.
Designed and tested alongside Beta Technologies since 2021, the propellor will be used on the Vermont firm’s two aircraft – the conventional take-off Alia CX300 and VTOL-capable Alia-250. It will also be available to all AAM aircraft that use similar electric propulsion systems.
Additionally, Beta revealed a 25 aircraft order from Space Leasing International, which reportedly includes an undisclosed deposit.
Finally – although distributed electric propulsion is nowhere to be seen – another eVTOL demonstrator was announced this week. Set to fly in late 2026, Robinson Helicopter Company and MagniX are to jointly develop an all-electric helicopter based on the R44 platform. The demonstrator will make use of MagniX’s first electric engine designed specifically for rotorcraft and its Samson battery line.
