Another fantastic Oshkosh is behind us, and this year was one for the books! Once again, the support from our AOPA Network Flying Clubs was stronger than the year before. Thank you to everyone who attended our Flying Club presentation and those who attended the AOPA Flying Club Network Social.
Both events had a record turnout for us! The conversations we had were excellent, and the need and desire for more Flying Clubs has never been higher. Next year’s Osh will be here before we know it, and I look forward to seeing all of you again...and hopefully some new faces.
MOSAIC Phase 2
MOSAIC Phase 2 is now in effect, and it will have a big impact on flying clubs and the aircraft they operate. The new rules significantly expand what can qualify as a Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA), giving clubs more options when it comes time to add or replace an airplane.
One of the biggest changes is the removal of the old 1,320-pound weight limit. The new rules focus more on aircraft performance and allow aircraft flown by Sport Pilots to have up to four seats, with a maximum stall speed of 61 knots in the landing configuration. The aircraft can also have features such as retractable landing gear and constant-speed propellers that were previously not allowed under the LSA rules.
For flying clubs, this opens the door to a wider range of aircraft. Clubs could eventually have access to newer airplanes with modern avionics, better performance, and more capability than the traditional two-seat LSA.
There are also potential maintenance benefits. Depending on the aircraft and the work being performed, Light-Sport Repairmen may be able to handle certain maintenance and inspection tasks.
It will take some time for manufacturers to bring new aircraft to market, so the full impact will not be immediate. MOSAIC gives flying clubs another tool for building affordable, capable fleets and providing members with more opportunities to fly.
Speaking of which, our new AOPA Sweepstakes aircraft will now qualify to be flown under Sport Pilot privileges. Learn how this aircraft could be yours here.
