Why does it matter what the aircraft is worth, unless you're going to sell it?
What's being described above is a death spiral: the reason the aircraft value is low is EU over regulation of certified aircraft, very much including Part M maintenance. If you're not planning on selling the aircraft, its beneficial to cut costs looking forward, and break the decreasing radius spiral.
Otherwise you sell the aircraft and switch to non-certified... Which is probably EASA's world view for 'hobby pilots'. The utility and freedom of private transportation aircraft moving around Europe is obviously not their 2020 vision!
Last edited by Silvaire1; 13th February 2013 at 17:35.