“Big Things Have Small Beginnings”

By Gene Yarbrough

Set for November 6–8, 2025 at Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) in Lakeland, Florida, the first-ever Affordable Flying Expo (AFE) is tailor-made for aviation enthusiasts, home-builders, sport pilots and newcomers alike. 

This three-day gathering brings together indoor exhibits, flying demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and one of the first major public forums dedicated to the newly implemented MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rule.

What truly sets this expo apart is the dedication of the vendors — the aircraft designers, kit-builders, avionics specialists, flight-training schools and parts suppliers — who are rallying around the theme of affordable aviation in a MOSAIC world. Unlike larger shows where exhibitors may just display their latest gear, AFE invites vendors to engage actively: demo flights, close inspection of gear, one-on-one conversations, workshops and real-world scenario  discussions. 

Well established Vendors such as CubCrafters, Sensenich Propellers, Hartzell Aircraft Technologies, and Deltahawk engines have shown their dedication and commitment to MOSAIC interests by expending resources  at the AFE show. But let’s not overlook the smaller players whose sacrifice may be more burdensome. Those vendors such as B&B Aircraft supplies, RISEN aircraft, Velocity Aircraft, and Alpha Systems should be applauded for taking a risk and their support at this first endeavor to highlight MOSAIC and all bringing its promise to fruition.

These vendors recognize that the MOSAIC rule is more than regulatory change: it is a paradigm shift for light-sport and general aviation. By expanding the types of aircraft that can qualify and opening new pathways for sport pilots, MOSAIC offers fresh markets and fresh responsibilities. The vendors at AFE are embracing this moment — they’re not merely there to sell; they’re there to educate, to collaborate and to champion accessible flying.

From kit-manufacturers who are redesigning their aircraft to fit the new performance-based criteria, to avionics firms rolling out glass-cockpit solutions for the next generation of sport aircraft, these exhibitors are investing time and resources in aligning with MOSAIC’s promise. Their booths are populated not just with parts, but with conversations about how training shifts, how certification changes, how ownership costs come down — all because of MOSAIC.

Because the expo is purpose-built rather than a scaled-down version of a mega-airshow, vendors can deliver deeper, intimate engagement. Attendees can step into aircraft, talk with the designers, ask questions, attend live Q&A sessions and discover what MOSAIC means in practice.

For vendors, this is more than a display – it’s an opportunity to shape expectations, to show how their products are MOSAIC-ready, and to support pilots and builders in this new regulatory era. Many have crafted workshops specifically on “MOSAIC compliance”, “sport-pilot under MOSAIC”, “choosing a MOSAIC-eligible aircraft”, or “training for MOSAIC-era operations”. Their dedication is evident in the fact that the expo’s organizers highlight MOSAIC prominently in exhibitor materials.

Lakeland Linder International Airport, already home to aviation-education institutions and the flagship Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo, offers a professional aviation campus, a runway-accessible layout, and the aviation-savvy infrastructure that vendors need. For vendors committed to showing aircraft in flight, conducting demo flights, and engaging directly with builders and pilots, this is an ideal venue. It underscores their commitment to do more than just exhibit — they’re there to engage.

By aligning their presence with MOSAIC, vendors are signaling a belief in the next chapter of affordable flying. Their dedication — evident in the quality of their exhibits, the depth of their conversation, and their willingness to educate rather than simply market — is what gives this first-annual expo genuine promise. Attendees won’t just leave with brochures; they’ll leave with a sense of how flying is about to change, and how the vendors are ready to guide that change.

In short: the Affordable Flying Expo isn’t just a show—it’s a movement, and the vendors are stepping up as thoughtful partners in that movement.

FMI: https://affordableflying.net/

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