With
the Gauntlet Warbirds Jet Group you get all the advantages of owning
your own jet warbird plus Gauntlet Warbirds facilities, equipment and
instructor staff without the hassle or unexpected costs of sole
ownership. Two classes of shares are being offered. Bravo shares allow
the owner to fly dual with an instructor while Alpha shares allow
qualified pilots to solo the jet. With either class of share there is
no limit on how many hours an owner flies. An owner can also let
friends and family members fly their jet, so long as they accept no
remuneration for the flight per FAA regulations.
Currently shares are being offered in the L-29 Delfin. Gauntlet Warbirds’ L-29 was manufactured
in 1967 for the Soviet Air Force by Aero Vodochody in the Czech
Republic; the aircraft has only 3,500 hours of total time with 200 hours on the engine and received a full Soviet military
overhaul 600 flight hours ago.
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Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between being a Bravo shareholder and an Alpha shareholder?
Bravo shareholders can only fly the jet dual with a Gauntlet Warbirds instructor, while Alpha shareholders can solo the jet if properly qualified. What are the requirements to solo the L-29?
Alpha shareholders can solo the L-29 once they have their experimental aircraft authorization, meet insurance minimums and pass a Gauntlet Warbirds proficiency check. In order to get your experimental aircraft authorization in the L-29 you must have 1,000 hours total time (or 500 hours if you are a graduate of a military pilot training course), an instrument rating, a current third class medical and pass a practical test administered by an experimental aircraft examiner in the L-29. We can arrange for your checkride at ARR.
Do I need to have a certain number of hours or experience to become a shareholder?
No, you do not.
FAA regulations prohibit experimental aircraft such as the L-29 from being used in commercial operations unless the operator has been issued a Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) by their local FAA FSDO. Gauntlet Warbirds has a LODA issued by the DuPage FSDO to offer L-29 transition training and jet unusual attitude training to clients who meet FAA mandated experience minimums. For the L-29 transition course pilots must meet the experience requirements to get an experimental aircraft authorization (1,000 hours total time, instrument rating, and valid medical). For the jet unusual attitude course pilots must have an instrument rating, a valid medical and a need for jet unusual attitude training (i.e. currently or shortly operating a jet or high performance turboprop aircraft).
Owners of experimental jets can fly in or be trained in their own aircraft with an instructor no matter how many hours they have. Owners don't even need to be pilots as flying an aircraft you own is not a commercial operation and training or rides (which are strictly prohibited by the FAA) are not being offered to the public. An owner can let a friend or family member fly in their jet so long as that person does not pay for any portion of the flight.
Is this a fractional ownership program?
The Gauntlet Jet Group combines the best elements of fractional ownership and a flying club to make owning your jet warbird as enjoyable as possible. You get the service, predictability and support of a fractional ownership program. With your purchase you become a legal owner of the aircraft by becoming a member of the LLC that owns the aircraft, similar to many flying clubs. The Gauntlet Jet Group is not considered a fractional ownership program by the FAA as it is not regulated under FAR part 91(k). Additionally Gauntlet Warbirds provides instructors for training purposes who are paid separately from aircraft acquisition, monthly, and hourly fees where fractional programs include flight crews in their fees.
How can I sell my share?
Gauntlet Warbirds will buy back your share for 90% of your acquisition cost. When you notify us that you would like to sell your share your monthly payments stop immediately.
What equipment do I need?
All pilots must fly with a nomex flight suit, helmet, flight gloves, parachute and oxygen mask. While we recommend that all owners purchase their own equipment, which we assist you with, you are welcome to use our equipment for as long as you would like for no additional charge.
How is scheduling and dispatch handled?
All scheduling is handled by Gauntlet Warbirds using our online scheduling system or by calling the office and booking your flights. Shareholders can schedule 45 days out while other Gauntlet Warbirds customers can only schedule 30 days out. Alpha and Bravo shareholders have equal right to the aircraft and all scheduling is handled on a first come first served basis.
All flights are dispatched from Gauntlet Warbirds' offices.
Costs
Acquisition Costs - Bravo shares are $3,000 while Alpha shares are $9,000. The term is unlimited with an automatic buyback guarantee. If you wish to exit the Jet Group, we will buy your share back for 90% of your acquisition cost. There are only fifteen slots available; Bravo shares fill one slot each and Alpha shares fill three each.
Monthly and Hourly Fees – These fees cover all fixed and variable costs of owning and operating your jet. Bravo shares cost $225 a month to maintain while Alpha shares cost $675 a month. Each hour of engine time on the jet is $150 dry. Instruction is $75 an hour for flight time only; all your ground is free. Best of all there are no surprises; you are not responsible for any unexpected costs that come up in the course of normal operation including engine replacement, tires and brakes or other maintenance issues.
Compare with Sole Ownership – Buying a share of a Gauntlet Warbirds jet is significantly less expensive than owning an L-29 yourself. Partnership is also much more predictable than sole ownership, you don’t have to worry about an annual going over budget, the engine taking a piece of FOD, or any unexpected bills for normal operation, your monthly and hourly fees cover everything.
Operations
Scheduling – All scheduling is done through Gauntlet Warbirds, including free online scheduling for your aircraft and instructor pilots.
Aircraft Management – Gauntlet Warbirds’ staff will manage your aircraft for you, you don’t have to worry about logbooks, track maintenance, or file for program letter renewals or operating limitation changes, it is all taken care of. Use of Gauntlet’s safety equipment including helmets, oxygen masks, parachutes and flight suits is included.
Training – Both Bravo and Alpha share owners have access to Gauntlet Warbirds training staff at rate of $75 per flight hour in their aircraft, and can be certain that Gauntlet’s high operational standards are being maintained in all aspects of their aircraft’s flight operations.
