Wings, Wheels and Water

Approval of MOSAIC at EAA AirVenture 2025

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Approval of MOSAIC rule highlights decade-long EAA leadership effort for modernized aircraft and pilot certification

U.S. Secretary of Transportation delivers news at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 22, 2025) — A decade-long effort by the Experimental Aircraft Association, in association with the Federal Aviation Administration and other entities, became reality on July 22 with the announcement that the MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rule has been finalized and signed. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy made the announcement during the second day of the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in convention.

“This is one of most significant rule packages for general aviation in the past 75 years,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board, who joined Secretary Duffy for the announcement. “This creates what can be called Sport Pilot 2.0, as it builds on the safety and momentum established by that rule two decades ago and opens tremendous possibilities for current and future pilots, flight schools, manufacturers, and many others. It is fitting that this major modernization was announced at Oshkosh, where the nation’s aviators gather each year.”

The announcement of the MOSAIC signing and its publishing in the Federal Register allow EAA and other organizations to review the new rule in-depth and create programming to meet the possibilities now available. Among the potential benefits of the new rule are:

  • Expansion of the aircraft fleet available to be flown by sport pilot certificate holders and those exercising sport pilot privileges, to as much 70 percent of the current GA fleet;
  • Availability of most of the current flight training fleet for sport pilot training, reducing costs for new pilots;
  • Potential to include a much broader base of flight instructors available to teach students;
  • Ability for GA flight schools to use their current fleet for a wider spectrum of students;
  • Opportunities for aircraft manufacturers to introduce new designs unencumbered by former weight limits.

“I can’t think of a better place than at the largest general aviation airshow in the U.S. to announce that we’re unleashing American ingenuity with a new rule to promote new designs, safer materials, and upgraded technology in the recreational aviation sector,” Secretary Duffy said. “Our recreational pilots and plane manufacturers have correctly noted outdated regulations were inhibiting innovation and safety. Let’s bring this industry into a new age!”

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is hosting numerous forums and seminars during its event to update the entire general aviation community of the potential within MOSAIC. More resources are also available at the EAA website, and additional webinars and updates will be scheduled in the coming weeks.

About EAA

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and embodies The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 300,000 members and 900 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh economic impact: $257 million annually for Fox Valley

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EAA AirVenture Oshkosh economic impact: $257 million annually for Fox Valley

Includes $117 million economic impact for Oshkosh alone

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 17, 2025) — The annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in convention, one of Wisconsin’s crown jewels of tourism, has a $257 million total economic impact for the Fox Valley region each year, according to an independent study compiled by the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

The total is based on EAA AirVenture 2024 totals, which included a record total attendance of 686,000. As the 72nd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association gathering prepares to begin on July 21, the world’s largest fly-in convention is also an annual economic powerhouse for the region and for Wisconsin.

“The growth of AirVenture since our last economic impact study in 2017 made it essential that it reflect the current environment,” said, Jack J. Pelton, EAA’s CEO and Chairman of the Board. “It was very important to have an independent study that looked at the value of the event for our region, as those benefits ripple across nearly every local business sector during AirVenture week while the world literally comes to Oshkosh and Wisconsin.”

The UW Oshkosh study, using the same methodology as the 2017 study to ensure consistency, showed direct spending of $171 million in the five-county Fox Valley region (Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Outagamie, Calumet, and Brown), with an additional $86 million of “ripple effect” impact as that spending passed through the community. In addition, the study showed that $117 million of economic impact, including $95 million of direct spending, took place in the Oshkosh community alone. AirVenture also directly created 2,092 full- and part-time jobs in the region, with 815 of those in Oshkosh.

“While the initial numbers are very impressive as far as economic impact, given the growth of the event and inflation since 2017, digging below the surface provides further indication of the benefits of EAA AirVenture,” said Dr. David Fuller of the UW Oshkosh economics department, who compiled both the 2017 and 2024 studies. “The increased earnings and community value during AirVenture alone means an additional $328,000 in property tax revenue for the Oshkosh-area economy, which does not include EAA’s annual property tax payments. This also does not include local revenue from areas such as room taxes, sales taxes where applicable, and other sources.”

The benefit to the region and state is magnified as more than 70 percent of AirVenture’s visitors come from outside Wisconsin, bringing “new money” into the state and in some cases, into the U.S. overall as in 2024, visitors came from 94 countries. As in 2017, lodging and camping accounted for 35 percent of the average daily spending of $300 per day per visitor, as people stayed in hotels, campgrounds, college dormitories, and private housing. Food, entertainment, and clothing/retail are also major benefactors, along with unexpected areas such as event staffing, landscaping, and other associated industries.

“The success of EAA AirVenture helps promote our community in many ways, but most importantly in the visibility that occurs worldwide as fly-in visitors ‘Discover Oshkosh,’” said Amy Albright, executive director of the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Furthermore, the revenue that funds our operations allows us to promote the community and all the other features and activities that make Oshkosh such a great place to live and visit.”

Although the independent study tracked only economic impact for the five-county Fox Valley region and the Oshkosh community itself, cities and counties throughout Wisconsin benefit from the event, as visitors arrive and stay in communities throughout the state.

“Wisconsin has seen many wonderful events in recent years that boost our state’s economy, from sporting events to political conventions, which are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities,” Pelton said. “EAA AirVenture is Wisconsin-born and raised, and is welcoming the world to the state every year. The vast majority of the annual economic impact from AirVenture comes not on the event grounds itself, but in the businesses and communities within Oshkosh, the Fox Valley, and Wisconsin.”

About EAA

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and embodies The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 300,000 members and 900 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building, and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org..

EAA statement on confirmation of Bryan Bedford as FAA Administrator

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EAA statement on confirmation of Bryan Bedford as FAA Administrator

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 9, 2025) — Statement from Jack J. Pelton, Experimental Aircraft Association CEO and Chairman of the Board, on the confirmation of Bryan Bedford as the new Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration:

“We congratulate Bryan Bedford on his confirmation as the new Administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration. There is a long list of challenges as we seek to maintain America’s aviation infrastructure and air traffic system as the finest in the world, and preserve the freedom of flight for individuals who want to be involved in any facet of aviation.

“We look forward to working with Administrator Bedford and the professionals at the FAA. We also welcome the Administrator and his team to join us this month for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, to see the entire spectrum of aviation on display as well as the latest innovations.”