FAA MOSAIC market seen reaching $2.34 billion by 2030

The FAA modernization of special airworthiness certification, or MOSAIC, market is projected to grow from $1.51 billion in 2025 to $2.34 billion by 2030 as certification rules shift toward faster, performance-based approvals. The changes could widen access for light aircraft makers, pilots and new aviation technologies.

Why it matters: - The MOSAIC market sits at the center of how light and recreational aircraft get approved in the U.S. and beyond. - Faster, simpler certification can shorten time to market for manufacturers and expand the aircraft types eligible for streamlined rules. - The shift could also support broader adoption of electric, hybrid and autonomous aircraft technologies.

What happened: - The FAA modernization of special airworthiness certification, or MOSAIC, market is projected to rise from $1.51 billion in 2025 to $1.65 billion in 2026. - The report forecasts the market will reach $2.34 billion by 2030. - The Business Research Company said the market is expanding amid rising demand for general aviation, light sport aircraft and faster certification processes. - The FAA finalized the MOSAIC framework in July 2025. - The framework moved certification toward a performance-based approach. - The FAA expanded weight limits for eligible light-sport aircraft from 1,320 pounds to as much as 3,000 pounds for certain categories.

The details: - The market’s historical growth was driven by general aviation demand, certification streamlining, light sport aircraft growth, aviation safety rules and advances in avionics and aircraft design. - The forecast period is expected to grow at a 9.1% CAGR from 2026 to 2030. - The report points to wider adoption of electric and hybrid light aircraft as one of the next growth drivers. - The report also cites autonomous and semi-autonomous flight technologies, digitalization of certification procedures, unmanned aircraft system integration and faster regulatory approvals. - Key trends named in the report include AI-driven automation for certification, digital twin validation, autonomous flight safety rules, cloud-based compliance platforms and lightweight composite aircraft designs. - MOSAIC is intended to update and broaden airworthiness standards for light and recreational aircraft. - The rulemaking is designed to simplify approval processes and expand eligibility criteria for more aircraft designs and technologies. - The framework is meant to improve safety, promote innovation and increase accessibility in general aviation. - Certified pilot numbers rose from 106,662 in 2022 to 134,057 in 2023, an increase of 27,395 certificates. - That increase is tied to post-pandemic interest in aviation careers and recreational flying. - North America held the largest share of the market in 2025. - Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period.

Between the lines: - The market forecast reflects a broader regulatory shift from rigid rules to more flexible performance standards. - That shift can favor manufacturers with newer designs because the approval path may become less tied to legacy aircraft specifications. - The pilot growth data suggests demand is not only coming from industry technology, but also from more people entering flying. - The regional outlook points to a mature U.S. market and a faster-expanding Asia-Pacific opportunity.

What's next: - The report expects continued momentum from electric propulsion, autonomy, digital compliance tools and unmanned aircraft integration. - Certification workflows are likely to become more automated as FAA-related processes move further online. - Aircraft makers that can meet performance-based standards may gain faster access to market under the updated framework. - The Business Research Company said its 2026 reports include market attractiveness scoring, TAM analysis, company scoring matrices, forecasting dashboards and updated trend graphics.

The bottom line: - MOSAIC is moving certification toward faster, broader and more technology-friendly rules, and the market tied to that shift is projected to keep growing through 2030.