How New FAA Rules Are Transforming Flight Training with EAA's Sean Elliott

Live Recording: October 16, 2 PM Central on Riverside

The aviation training industry stands at a pivotal moment. After nearly a decade of advocacy work, the FAA has finalized the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule—the most significant regulatory change in general aviation in decades. And no one has been more instrumental in making it happen than our guest today, Sean Elliott, Vice President of Advocacy and Safety at the Experimental Aircraft Association.

In this episode, we dive deep into what MOSAIC means for flight school owners, explore the massive opportunities within EAA’s 300,000-member community, and discuss practical strategies for capitalizing on these industry-changing developments.

Meet Sean Elliott: Three Decades Driving Aviation Forward

Sean Elliott brings over three decades of aviation leadership experience, having joined EAA in 1996 and progressed through multiple influential roles including Director of Aircraft Operations before assuming his current position as Vice President of Advocacy and Safety. But Elliott isn’t just a regulatory expert working from behind a desk.

With over 10,000 logged flight hours and type ratings in historic aircraft including B-17s, B-25s, and B-29s, Elliott combines regulatory expertise with real-world operational experience. This unique blend of policy knowledge and practical flying experience makes him an invaluable voice on how regulatory changes actually impact daily flight operations.

Most recently, Elliott received the FAA’s prestigious “Friend of Safety” Award in November 2024, recognizing his decade-long contributions to aviation safety and his role in advancing homebuilt aircraft safety standards. As co-chair of the General Aviation Joint Safety Committee, Elliott has contributed to achieving record-low general aviation accident rates while simultaneously advocating for modernized regulations—proof that safety and accessibility don’t have to be opposing forces.

Understanding MOSAIC: The Regulatory Game-Changer

If you’re a flight school owner and you haven’t fully grasped MOSAIC yet, this conversation is essential listening. The Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification represents a fundamental shift in how the FAA regulates light sport aircraft and sport pilot privileges, moving from arbitrary weight restrictions to performance-based standards using a stall speed criterion of 59 knots.

This single change has massive implications.

More Aircraft, More Opportunities

This performance-based approach dramatically expands the aircraft eligible for sport pilot training, including popular models like the Cessna 172 and even some Cirrus SR20 configurations. Think about that for a moment. The workhorse training aircraft that’s probably sitting on your ramp right now? It can now serve dual purposes—traditional private pilot training and the growing sport pilot market.

Sport pilots can now operate at night, fly complex aircraft with retractable gear, and even perform certain commercial operations. These aren’t minor tweaks—they’re fundamental expansions that create entirely new revenue streams for forward-thinking flight schools.

Breaking Down Medical Barriers

Here’s where MOSAIC gets really interesting for your business development strategy. Private pilots can now operate qualifying aircraft with just a driver’s license instead of an FAA medical certificate.

Let that sink in. How many prospective students have you lost over the years because they couldn’t get or maintain a medical certificate? How many older pilots have stopped flying because of medical concerns despite being perfectly capable of safely operating an aircraft?

This provision opens flight training to demographics previously excluded due to medical concerns, including older pilots and those with manageable health conditions. And here’s the business angle: these older demographics often have more discretionary income and time availability than your typical younger student pilot. You’re looking at a premium market segment that’s been locked out until now.

The Business Case for MOSAIC

In our conversation, Sean and I explore the practical business implications of these regulatory changes. This isn’t theoretical—these are actionable opportunities you can implement immediately.

Lower Barriers Mean More Students

By reducing medical requirements and expanding aircraft options, MOSAIC addresses two primary barriers preventing prospective pilots from starting training. Every barrier you remove from the customer journey increases conversion rates. It’s Marketing 101, and MOSAIC just handed you two major barrier removals on a silver platter.

Optimize Your Existing Fleet

Here’s the beautiful part: Many flight schools already operate aircraft that now qualify for sport pilot training under MOSAIC, meaning existing fleet assets can serve dual purposes without additional capital investment.

You don’t need to buy new aircraft. You need to audit what you already have, understand how MOSAIC changes the equation, and update your marketing to communicate these new opportunities. The ROI on that strategic thinking is enormous.

Competitive Positioning

Early adopters who understand and market MOSAIC advantages will position themselves ahead of competitors still operating under the old regulatory mindset. Right now, today, there’s a window of opportunity. Your competitors are either ignoring MOSAIC, don’t understand it, or haven’t figured out how to communicate it effectively.

That window won’t stay open forever.

EAA: Your Gateway to 300,000 Potential Students

If you’re not already plugged into your local EAA chapter, this conversation will make you want to change that immediately. With over 300,000 international members and nearly 1,000 local chapters worldwide, EAA represents the world’s largest recreational aviation organization.

The Young Eagles Pipeline

Since 1992, EAA has introduced over 2 million young people to flight through its Young Eagles program. Two million. That’s not a community outreach program—that’s a massive student recruitment pipeline that most flight schools aren’t systematically tapping into.

In the episode, Sean and I discuss specific strategies for converting Young Eagles participants into paying students. It’s not about exploiting a community program—it’s about creating clear pathways from introduction flights to full training enrollment while genuinely serving the aviation community.

AirVenture: Your Annual Marketing Goldmine

The annual AirVenture event attracts more than 500,000 aviation enthusiasts. Half a million passionate aviation people in one place. If you’re not thinking strategically about how to leverage AirVenture for your flight school’s growth, you’re leaving money on the table.

Sean shares insights on how flight schools can effectively participate in AirVenture, from booth strategies to networking approaches that actually generate qualified leads rather than just collecting business cards.

Safety Innovation: The Competitive Advantage You’re Overlooking

Elliott leads EAA’s safety innovation initiatives, including the Founder’s Innovation Prize offering $25,000 for breakthrough safety technologies. This demonstrates something crucial: safety innovation isn’t just about compliance—it’s about competitive positioning.

The record-low accident rates achieved during Elliott’s tenure demonstrate the effectiveness of comprehensive safety management systems. Flight schools that can demonstrate measurable safety records don’t just avoid accidents—they create marketing advantages. Parents researching flight schools for their children care deeply about safety records. Insurance companies reward demonstrable safety cultures with better rates.

Safety isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business.

Practical Action Steps for Flight School Owners

Sean and I get tactical in this conversation. Here are the immediate action items every flight school owner should implement:

1. Audit Your Fleet Against MOSAIC Standards

Review current aircraft against new MOSAIC standards to identify which planes now qualify for sport pilot training. This isn’t complicated, but it requires actually sitting down and doing the analysis. This assessment reveals untapped revenue potential within existing assets.

2. Update Your Marketing Messages

Prospective students may not understand MOSAIC benefits without clear communication, so marketing materials should explicitly highlight reduced medical requirements, expanded aircraft options, and enhanced training privileges.

Your website, social media, and consultation conversations need to reflect the new reality. If you’re still marketing like it’s 2023, you’re losing students to schools that understand 2025.

3. Build EAA Chapter Relationships

With nearly 1,000 local chapters, opportunities exist for strategic partnerships through offering EAA members special rates or hosting chapter meetings at your facility to build community connections that drive referrals.

This isn’t transactional marketing—it’s relationship building that creates sustainable competitive advantages. Flight schools that function as community hubs rather than mere service providers win in the long term.

4. Create MOSAIC-Specific Training Tracks

Develop dedicated training tracks that showcase MOSAIC advantages. Package it, brand it, and make it easy for prospective students to understand why your MOSAIC-focused program is different from traditional training.

Specialization creates expertise positioning, and expertise positioning commands premium pricing.

5. Systematize Young Eagles Follow-Up

Establish formal relationships with local Young Eagles coordinators to create pathways from introductory flights to full training enrollment, transforming community goodwill into business development.

Don’t just participate in Young Eagles flights and hope students magically show up later. Create systems, follow-up processes, and clear next-step pathways.

Looking Forward: Industry Trends and Strategic Planning

One of the most valuable parts of this conversation is Sean’s perspective on where the industry is heading. MOSAIC’s success in the United States may influence similar regulatory changes internationally, which has implications for flight schools thinking about international student recruitment or expansion.

The integration of advanced avionics, simulation technology, and digital training platforms continues accelerating. Schools that invest in technology while maintaining strong fundamental training will capture premium market segments. The key word there is “while”—technology enhances great training, it doesn’t replace it.

The growing emphasis on aviation community building through organizations like EAA reflects broader trends toward relationship-based marketing, where flight schools functioning as community hubs rather than mere service providers create sustainable competitive advantages.

Why This Matters Now

We’re at an inflection point in aviation training. The regulatory environment has fundamentally shifted in favor of flight schools and prospective pilots. Medical barriers are lower. Aircraft options are broader. Training capabilities are expanded.

But regulatory changes don’t automatically translate into business growth. That requires understanding the changes, communicating them effectively, and implementing strategic initiatives that capitalize on new opportunities.

The question is whether you’ll capitalize on these changes or watch competitors capture the market opportunities they create.

Connect with Sean and EAA

To learn more about EAA’s programs and advocacy work, visit www.eaa.org. If you’re not already an EAA member, seriously consider joining—the industry connections, resources, and community access are invaluable for flight school owners.

For information about getting involved with Young Eagles or finding your local EAA chapter, all those resources are available through EAA’s website.

Mark your calendar: October 16, 2 PM Central. Join the live recording: https://riverside.fm/studio/podcast-40nqk

Join the Conversation

What aspects of MOSAIC are you most excited about for your flight school? How are you planning to leverage EAA partnerships for growth? Share your thoughts and strategies in the comments below or connect with us on social media.

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Have questions about implementing MOSAIC strategies at your flight school? Want to discuss EAA partnership opportunities? Reach out to us at [email protected]. We read every message and regularly feature listener questions in future episodes.