by that logic, we can also restrict bombers, VHF, military fighters, gunboats etc.
that way - EVERYONE can fly a civilian fighter - except those that are approved by "some" people / group to be epical enough to fly something better.
we all know that battleships are artificially weak - but i rather have them weak and available for everyone that wants to try it than epically awesome and only in the hands of a few favoured ones.
what you ask for is basicly the idea of "raids" and "raid loot" that is usual practice in large mmorpgs - where only large clans and guilds can get really high level loot. - i have been in such a guild in everquest - and it was more and more "work" and less and less "fun" - and a good reason i am NOT playing everquest anymore - but discovery freelancer.