Originally Posted by
JEM60
This month's Pilot magazine carries an article that reveals that for £75,000 down, and £2,500 per month one could become a part-owner and fly a Gnat in this country.
Even if the part owner has the basics needed to operate the Gnat, how will that person maintain the needed knowledge and skills essential for coping with mechanicals or other unexpected glitches.
Some years ago, the chairman of an air freight company and his guest were lost flying a Soko Galeb, a similar performance airplane to the Gnat, because the aircraft lost its canopy shortly after takeoff. An adequately trained pilot would have been able to maintain control, but not someone flying this jet as a hobby.
Presumably the licensing authorities see that as an acceptable risk, but perhaps they are mistaken.