CLASSIC JET OR 21ST CENTURY TURBOPROP?

Gnat, Hawk or PC-21? Three generations of military trainer compared. Although we have a clear winner in 2020, all of them are fun to fly

- Dave Unwin

What Pilot reader hasn’t dreamt of going shopping after a big lottery win? A Spitfire or Mustang would be cool, but perhaps a more modern turbine-powered ex-military trainer would be more to sir’s (or madam’s) liking? In many respects, such machines are easier to handle than a ‘big piston’ fighter. Now, this may seem counterintuitive, but it is a fact that as aircraft have evolved they have become simpler to fly but harder to operate. So, in much the same way as our well received ‘65-Horse Race’, we thought this month it’d be fun to look at three great turbine trainers from three distinct eras; the Folland Gnat, BAe Hawk and Pilatus PC-21.

I’ve been lucky enough to fly all three, but in the interests of honesty must point out I haven’t soloed any of them (although do believe that with one more hour of circuits I could’ve flown both the Hawk and the PC-21 solo−but not the Gnat!) Consequently, the following article should not be construed as full flight tests of any of the types but instead read as a general overview of their suitability−and practicality−for the private pilot.

The Gnat