RAAus is already talking to CASA about MOSAIC.
New RAAus chair Simon Ozanne says Australia needs to be ready for MOSAIC aircraft well before 2028 — and RAAus is already in conversations with CASA.
Recreational Aviation Australia has a new chair. Simon Ozanne, a former RAAF mobility pilot who flew C-130s and C-27 Spartans, takes over from long-time incumbent Michael Monck after five years on the board.
But the most significant thing Ozanne said in his first interview with Australian Flying wasn't about leadership style. It was about MOSAIC.
What is MOSAIC?
MOSAIC — Modernisation of Special Airworthiness Category — is a regulatory overhaul being developed in the United States that substantially expands the definition of Light Sport Aircraft. Under MOSAIC, LSAs can be heavier, faster, and more capable than current rules allow. The FAA is expected to finalise the rules soon.
When that happens, the pressure on other countries to follow will be immediate.
"We're kidding ourselves if we think industry won't be pushing to have MOSAIC aircraft in this country before 2028," Ozanne told Australian Flying. "As soon as the FAA goes live with it, the industry will be wanting Australia to get on board."
RAAus wants to administer MOSAIC
Ozanne says RAAus is already in active conversations with CASA — and wants to be the body that administers MOSAIC aircraft in Australia.
"If CASA allows RAAus to administer those aircraft, it would be a real win not only for us but also for aviation in this country. We're working closely with CASA on that, and we think we're best prepared and in a good place to administer MOSAIC aircraft."
He draws a direct parallel to how the drone industry pushed CASA to move on uncrewed systems regulation — and expects the same dynamic to play out with MOSAIC.
CTA access is also close
Ozanne also flagged that controlled airspace access for RAAus members is near finalisation. "I suspect we'll see that very shortly; it's with CASA at the moment. We'll have CTA access well ahead of MOSAIC aircraft arriving in country."
For recreational pilots, CTA access has been a long-standing gap. If it lands this year as Ozanne expects, it would significantly expand where RAAus-registered aircraft can legally fly.
What this means for recreational pilots
MOSAIC, if adopted in Australia, would allow recreational pilots to fly larger, more capable aircraft under the RAAus framework — without the cost and complexity of a full GA licence. Combined with CTA access, it would represent a meaningful expansion of what recreational aviation looks like in Australia.
The conversations are already happening. The timeline is tied directly to the FAA.