Original sentence: It was notable as the demonstration aircraft of the Red Arrows aerobatic display team between 1964, when the team was formed, and 1979, when it was replaced by the Hawk T
Edited sentence: Despite a rather idiosynchratic longitudinal control system, the aircraft was extremely popular among pilots for its handling qualities and performance, not least being its rate of climb of 10,000 ft/min at 350 kts.Despite its diminutive dimensions the front cockpit was comfortable and ergonomic, though the same could not be said for the rear cockpit which was cramped and gave the occupant (usually the instructor) a rather poor view ahead.In fact the Gnat was an excellent introducion for pilots to fast jet flying, and it was not long before Gnat graduates began being posted to Lightning interceptor squadrons.Ironically the Ministry of Defence was reluctant at first to post Gnat advanced flying graduates to operational Lightning squadrons, on the grounds that the Lighning was unsuitable for "first tour" pilots.The aircraft was soon recognised for its aerobatic potential, and became well known as the demonstration aircraft of the Red Arrows aerobatic display team between 1964, when the team was formed, and 1979, when it was replaced by the Hawk T.The first course of advanced flying students was composed of 20 specially selected officers of the recently graduated 82 Entry of the RAF College at Cranwell, who had earned their "wings" flying the Jet Provost and started flying the Gnat at No 4 FTS, RAF Valley in February 1963.This was the first time that a fully functional flight simulator was used in the context of advanced flying training, and this greatly eased the transition from the relatively simple and slow Jet Provost to the demands of the Gnat