I'm not trying to be confrontational, but I am truly confused.

Why was Joel's post deserving of two dislikes??

What in the world did he say that could have offended anyone?

As to the two A* organizations, most of us just recognize it as the type of family feud that seems inevitable with strong personalities. Both groups have people who will take the shirt off their back to help you, so, it is wise to have friends in all places.

I stepped on toes early on with the AOA and got thrown off the site. I offered an apology that I felt was a farce so I got back on. Someone just should have "explained" the rules to me early on. Now, I understand.

I'm not mad at anyone now, well maybe one, and encourage others to fully partake of the advice and support offered.

Jgreen

I have good friends in both groups and am a member of both. I continue to hope that at some point in the future there can be a reconciliation and the groups can rejoin.

Glenn

I have good friends in both groups and am a member of both. I continue to hope that at some point in the future there can be a reconciliation and the groups can rejoin.

Glenn

John, Glenn, Adam, and others:

Some history and a reality check:

1. Before the A-F, individual members who, often for the same reason, chose to sever their relationship with the AOA were left without an owners organization, now they (and everyone else) has a choice.
2. The break wasn't with the AOA's membership, it occured at the leadership level. While individual AOA members may miss the contribution made by those who have left, I can only believe the Board members who supported the change knew what they wanted to accomplish.
3. As for viability of the two organizations... The A-F continues to pick up new members, the success of the AOA's fall meeting (as reported by Joel and Glenn) indicates that there is plenty of support for the current leadership's priorities and direction. As owners, we are better off with two organizations with two approaches supporting our ownership experience.
4. Choice, and competition, benefits everyone.

Forrest,

While I do not think a public debate about it would be helpful, I assure you the board's actions were not taken with the intent of driving you out of the AOA. We would be happy and grateful to have you back as a member and contributor.

I do agree with you that competition is typically good for the consumer. I might not go as far as saying everyone benefits.

Best wishes and fly safely,

Sincerely,

Definitely NOT taking any side of the discussion here, just pointing out these are sage words. Thanks to you, Forrest. Wish this thought process would rise to the top!

And my query is still unanswered. Why was Joel's post deserving of two, now one dislike??

I feel somewhat vindicated, assuming my question was the motivator, that there were two, now there is one.

Let me ask a question and yes, it is an Aerostar question. If you had "a shop" perform a pre-buy on an airplane they had serviced for several years and then took delivery, and found that the oil had not been changed in three years, and there were two completely broken engine mounts, and other cracked and several other equally obvious over sights, would you "question" the "veracity" of the shop???

Just asking?? Would you??? And then would you be a little uh "irritated" for being chastised to have questioned the integrity of the "shop" that pulled this **** off???

Just asking.

Now, back to the original question. Why the dislikes of Joel's post?


Come on, I've been forth right, now somebody else's turn.

Jgreen

You would be right in questioning the shop. From what I hear, A* headquarters does not like to be questioned about anything.

I have no idea what the answer to your question is John. Intrigued by it I went back to Joel's post, found nothing a reasonable person without some axe to grind could object to, and gave him a "like" to get him back to even.

Apparently there is some bad blood among the Aerostar owners. I don't care about that but value Forrest's and Joel's participation here. I hope that whatever it is it will not poison our discussions here.

Tony,

Agreed. I'm not mad at anybody. There is "somebody" I don't trust but don't even suggest that in the wrong places or you will make enemies.

My grandmother was a grand lady. Never gossiped or berated anyone. Still, she came up the hard way raising two children through the depression and sacrificing everything so they got a college education.

She divided people into two groups; those with whom you had dealings and those with whom you had no dealings. And when she said "have no dealings with this person" you dang well better be listening.

Jgreen

Thank you Joel! I hope to meet you in person next September at KTVL.

JG,

Under those circumstances the shop would never see me again. When asked I'd be sure to share with another owner my experience. That's business. $ talk and can walk.

Not aviation related but I remember 1981 when I was remodeling a gas station and quote was 50k (biggest $ tank job by far at that time in my career). Less $ if we did it time and materials. Owner was out of town on projects and I oversaw every day's work including helping on site because his guys did not know how to accomplish certain details without him around. Bill was 75K. Taking that bill to my Dad after the quote was tough! I never did business with him again. I'm still remodeling C stores and building new ones. I won't li$t what he missed out on as our major contractor over the last 30+ years. He's out of business but still an acquaintance.
Right with you John, why does someone dislike a post that's owner/pilot trying to learn?
C

I think I have narrowed my retirement airplane down to an Aerostar 601p or a Cessna 340 (the MU2 is still a few more years away). Looking at the interior dimensions of the Aerostar, what I see says they are only 45.5" wide, my Cardinal is 48" and the 340 is 55". Is the Aerostar really that narrow? I prefer a plane with Lycoming engines which is a plus for the Aerostar, but I was hoping to get something bigger and more comfortable than my Cardinal.

Vince

Vince,

That's why they are so fast!

Seriously, they don't seem cramped and a lot of large guys fly them. Where is home base and maybe there is one nearby you can try on for size?

I was considering an Aerostar in the future but after reading about the drama between two groups and getting kicked out of forums for posts, I can firmly say that an Aerostar is off my list.

These guys need to find a way to work things out. I want to buy an airplane, not baggage and headaches from butting heads in the relatively small support community.