Nearly 18 years ago, two young men without enough good sense in their heads to know better, had an idea to start an aviation forum. They put their little heads together and downloaded this software, and tweaked that one, and eventually, in November of 2007, a fledgling little forum was born: BeechTalk.

The early days of BeechTalk showed very slow growth, but an incredible depth of knowledge and openness in its membership. One need look no further than the very first registered member after Jeff and I to realize that with people like this around, the site could not help but succeed.

A few years went by and Jeff and I were talking on the phone one day about the forum, probably around the 5,000 registered user mark. I distinctly remember us discussing that we believed that was about the most we could expect in terms of the forum growth. And we were both very comfortable with that. We were also very wrong.

Apparently some of you let word get out that our little slice of aviation forum heaven was a great place to be, and almost immediately, the growth in terms of users, sponsors, and traffic, skyrocketed.

Meanwhile, Jeff and I are raising families, receiving and giving aviation training, and changing homes and careers. BeechTalk and our children both going through the teenage years at exactly the same time definitely presented its challenges, but we struggled through the best we knew how.

It wasn't long after this, however, that choices had to be made and priorities had to be set in both our personal and professional lives. I'm sure many of you can relate. And, as many of you have accurately noted in recent years, BeechTalk did not often win the priority contest for us.

The fact is that those two young men aren't young anymore. We are now counseling our children on entering the workforce, and even looking forward to grandchildren and retirement. This collection of facts finally led us to a realization that was not easy to accept: We are no longer what is best for BeechTalk. There are better stewards with more ideas and energy, and it is time to pass the torch to them.

We had several interested parties approach us about taking over BeechTalk over the years, and it wasn't easy finding someone we thought could meet our top priority in the transition, the continued success of this venue in terms of the civility of the membership, welcoming nature, and willingness to share the wealth of collective knowledge.

We have chosen someone we believe can maintain that, and when ready, they will give their own introduction. In the meantime, Jeff and I continue to help with various day-to-day tasks, and we don't intend to simply fade off into the ether. But rather, we will accept our new roles as users of BeechTalk, on the same footing as everyone else.

Words can't express our gratitude for the experiences this forum has brought us. The people we have met, the airplanes we've flown, the meals we have had, the fly-ins attended, all hold a special place in our hearts and we never take that for granted. Frankly, it is only via the Lord's grace and all of your collective kindness and willingness to share that we are even writing these words, and we will never forget that.

God bless you all

Jeff

In follow-up to Jeff's and my announcement above, I wanted to take a moment to echo the heartfelt sentiments shared and note just how profoundly this forum has impacted my life and the lives of my family.

When Jeff and I first created BeechTalk, we were simply looking for a place to connect with fellow aviation enthusiasts. Little did we know that we were forming a community that would become a cornerstone of our lives and many others. The friendships we've forged here, the knowledge we've gained, and the support we've received have been nothing short of transformative.

BeechTalk has been more than just a forum for me; it has been a source of inspiration and a platform for growth. The discussions we've had, the advice shared, and the stories exchanged have enriched my understanding of aviation and deepened my passion for flying. Beyond that, it has connected me with incredible individuals who have become lifelong friends.

On a personal level, the experiences I've had through BeechTalk have also had a ripple effect on my family. From attending fly-ins to sharing aviation adventures, these moments have created lasting memories that we cherish. The sense of community and camaraderie here has shown my family the importance of connection and support, not just in aviation, but in all aspects of life.

With my recent retirement from law, my new adventures in professional aviation, and the addition of a grandchild, my ability to be proactive on BeechTalk has unfortunately waned.

As we pass the torch to new leadership, I am filled with gratitude for the journey we've shared and excitement for what lies ahead. I look forward to continuing to engage with all of you as a fellow member of this remarkable community. Thank you for being a part of my life and for making BeechTalk a truly special place.

Here's to new beginnings and the continued success of BeechTalk!

Blessings,

Jeff

Thank you to the Jeff's! I'm excited to carry the torch! You can read more about my family and I at the thread below!

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=238279

Thanks Jeff's
Hopefully you guys will remain involved.

Without BT, I wouldn’t have met many of the “real life” friends that I have today.

Thanks guys.

Jeffs - you have impacted our Beech-loving lives immeasurably and have created life-long connections that I will cherish for the remainder of mine.

Put simply, you done good.

Wow. Congrats to all. Thanks for this amazing resource. It has changed lives for the better.

Adam: Big shoes to fill. We need a new thread…who would the readership like amnesty to be granted too first ?

You would have a different career as well

I’d have one less anyway :D

We’ve certainly made the most of it!

So many memories, and so many lifelong friendships made. BT was directly responsible for the early success of Operation Airdrop, and through the friends made here, it fueled what became my new career in professional aviation. Thanks for everything both of you have done to foster this community, and good luck to Adam!

You would have a different career as well

Crandall and Brannigan!!

Thanks Jeff's! Job well done.

Crandall and Brannigan!!

I am a relatively low count poster on BT. I am quite a post reader, although, being retired I am too busy to read or post as often as you who are still working (no green there — I don’t know how you do it).

My thanks to the Jeffs for their stewardship and to Adam for picking it up.

As to Mark’s question on amnesty: none. Gone is gone. Once a decision is made it is made. No good comes from rethinking decisions already made unless facts change.

I say that with one exception: if anyone can bring Deakin back to life I would love for him to contribute again. But for that I need to ask a different ”administrator”.