Have you ever read some of the posts on BT? You might have to sell your Baron if that is your criteria.

Have you ever read some of the posts on BT? You might have to sell your Baron if that is your criteria.

Don't be too critical or judgmental, I've heard why there are a couple of good reasons why people left.

Vince,

I am just not a "brand loyal" person; whatever fits suits me. The A* is wider than a Baron and I personally think more comfortable in all seats. A big plus for me is that my wife can move from the co-pilot's seat to the rear for the grandchild or dog duties. Really tall pilots will like the Baron better until they have to crawl out of it. The A* is certainly not as roomy as a 340 or 400 series Cessna, just a heck of a lot faster.

Nishant, not being rude, just blunt. You can rule out the Aerostar if you want, but there being a split and two organizations as a valid reason is BS. 90% of the people involved with Aerostars in the maintenance or parts supply of them, like me, don't give a rat's ass about the hierarchy of either group. I don't have issues with either "organization". I just run my own damn business and treat both organizations as an asset. Most people I deal with like me because I pay my bills.

The availability of parts is better than almost any airplane I have ever owned. There is a huge surplus of used parts and as far as the systems, they share a commonality with Beech, Piper, and Cessna, so, it's not only not a big deal, it's no deal at all.

Like I said, not slamming, just pointing out some truth.

Jgreen

Have you ever read some of the posts on BT? You might have to sell your Baron if that is your criteria.

I have spoken, and more importantly LISTEN TO most of those involved in the "split". I have done my best to make sure that the all points of view were (and continue to be) heard when appropriate.

I think that JGG said it best...

This issue SHOULD NOT keep you from getting an Aerostar. I see it as a real positive that everybody has remained respectful with each other here online. This gives me hope that at some point in the future, the groups can rejoin.

Glenn
P.S. If anybody really wants the details, PM me.

Nishant,

I am the moderator for the AOA forum. No one was kicked off the AOA forum. Two people were banned from posting for a short time. That is a common forum moderator action. It is like a time out to give everyone a chance to cool down. I would imagine BT has temporarily banned posters.

Yes, a couple of posts were censured. The AOA board has decided to not censure any posts in the future. That is not what caused the schism anyway. It was completely at the board level.

There is only one Aerostar Owners Association. There are two forums, one of which is available to members only. You might want to talk to one of our 300 paying members. Not a large number but with a estimated 700 or so Aerostars still flying world wide, it is not bad. Plus, almost a third voluntarily double their dues as sustaining members. Our get togethers are fun and informative and well attended.

You might consider the plight of the poor forum moderator, who is there to protect the forum not members' freedom of speech. If a member slanders someone, at best, it could convince a valuable, knowledgable poster to no longer participate.

What would you do if someone's first and only posts are to continually slam someone you know to have provided great value and service? What would you do when you receive a complaint that someone is constantly using offensive language? What would you do if someone keeps posting self serving spam? There are a hundred more no-win situations for moderators. I do it voluntarily and would have quit long ago, but most of the members are thankful and appreciative of the improvements and say so.

Yes, we had a leadership glitch, but we have moved on and so have the other folks. Come on, it was well over a year ago. Plus, I can say with confidence that every AOA board member wishes Forrest well. Maybe not his forum, but that is the nature of competition.

Besides, Aerostar owners don't really care about forums, they just want to go fast!

You know, I was just thinking. You show me an owner's group made up of "volunteers" without any "in house" haggling, and I'll show you a brand new group.

Heck, you can hardly put a bunch of people with the egos of pilots in a church service and not have them disrupt the whole shebang before the communion wine.

Of course, Southern Gentlemen like me have no egos.

OK, go ahead.

Jgreen

I appreciate all of your perspective on this and I do think the Aerostar is a great airplane, but yes I am less enthusiastic about joining the Aerostar community when there is a riff. I would feel the same way about joining a business with vocal partners at odds.

JGG - no offense taken whatsoever and I value the blunt approach. That being said, if what you posted about the airplane being misrepresented even after an inspection and then posting about it only to be kicked off until giving an apology is accurate, how is that okay? It's more than just parts availability. There's a community and it seems a little broken.

I am based in San Jose, CA at KRHV.

Vince

Nishant,

My response will be limited.

The existence of two Aerostar organizations or no Aerostar organization is not a valid reason to pass on the Aerostar. My reliance on either organization is an option, not a necessity.

Lots of people in this world feel a self importance that is not shared by others.

Such is life.

Jgreen

I cannot believe "Brand X Talk" has devolved to this. Whatever happened to good old Cirrus bashing?

Picture taken from Aerostar.

Who recognizes the airport?

Forrest,

Contrary to your screen shot the ban was not permanent but was instead for a few days at the most. Personally, I think the situation was handled poorly by the moderators there. I stood up for you and VERY clearly expressed that to those in charge. They are only human and they make mistakes. I made a number of constructive suggestions on how these types of situations could be handled in the future and as far as I can tell they are now the protocols that are in place.

While it may appear malicious, MY perspective is that they just didn't know what to do and in hindsight regret how it was handled as well.

Aside from that...you are missed, Norman and I are the only LOP'er left there

Glenn