Michael,
For the non-A-F readers:
Current (11/28/21) membership @ A-F is 554
I hunted around and found the post you referred to.
I used “dissatisfied” as my search word.
There is no way to be nice about it, so I will be blunt:
I’m not going to copy an paste an exchange from another forum so gentle readers who are not and do not wish to be A-F members will have to take my word on the accuracy of my summery.
1. You expressed interest in a former Conair 600 with the Piper water rudder.
2. An exchange ensued where you were provided background information on the Piper mod to the Aerostar airframe.
3. You made a statement the the VG kit that AAC developed to solve the FAA’s issue without the water rudder was overpriced @$3500.
4. That statement engendered some pushback as the value of AAC to current Aerostar owners is significant and while most of us don’t enjoy spending money on our planes we all are grateful the we have a place to spend money to buy the things that keep our planes flying.
5. You made posts expressing frustration with the information you had received in the exchange and said you would be joining the AOA.
6. I made a responding post expressing my shock that we had an A-F member who was dissatisfied as to the quality of information provided.
In rereading my response, I think I stayed within the BT rules of engagement.
Habit I suppose. I answered a different question about the appearance of the Main Gear Side braces by posting a link (now dead) to an AAC picture of the new style side braces.
7. Follow on posts provided you with contact info for a fellow in France who owned an Aerostar.
8. I read what appeared to me to be a sincere thank you from you for the information you have received.
Feelings change…..
People don’t change (much).
That includes me.
I received a call yesterday afternoon from a BT and A-F member asking about the reasons for the split and the continued existence of the A-F.
He had called me for advice in his initial consideration of buying an Aerostar, as is my way, I am sure I tried to talk him out of buying one, but he bought one and in-spite of experiencing whatever unfortunate and expensive challenges (that I’d him warned about) he’s a happy Aerostar owner.
That’s a real Aerostar guy for you.
He doesn’t let the practical aspects of owning and flying a 40+ year old airplane get in the way of the joy he gets from flying HIS airplane.
When I transitioned from asking for advice to being a public offerer of advice I realized that it was going to be a practical net loss for me.
Folks with differing opinions would inevitably argue with me and depending on the tone of the argument, they or spectators to the argument might decide I wasn’t a nice fellow.
On the other hand, folks who appreciated the help I had given them would appreciate and think of me as a nice fellow.
In retrospect, I’m about even, I get cold pricklies from some and warm fuzzies from others, it’s pretty much a wash (although I do wish for some -undeserved- forgivenesses from some of the folks I’ve offended)
I haven’t been sued or threatened with legal action although I was accused of illegal acts during the early days of the rift. I put that down as a negative.
Some folks go through life picking the easy path, many are quite successful, I am not that smart, I do what seems fun or interesting, after 60 years of living I realize that in-spite of my poor judgment, persistence and a lot of good luck has left me with a pretty good life.
I am not a role model, I shouldn’t be.
I do know some stuff.
And on a good day I enjoy helping a sincere questioner gain understanding.
On a less good day my posts are a chance to show off (whether that is an accomplishment or foolishness - opinions are going to differ)
I believe most of my posts on A-F are in line with the 1st goal.
Over here on BT I suspect that ratio varies from “most” on occasion.
My reward is an occasional like or a thank you from folks I rarely get to meet.
That’s my deal, and I believe that’s the deal of the other advice givers on A-F.
We all wear just one hat.
None of us charge for what we do for the Aerostar community.
On the other hand:
(Please keep in mind: everything on this post, especially the following, is opinion.)
The AOA is different.
It holds itself and it’s officers and it’s designated gurus out as support for its members.
The AOA charges for what it does.
Not only does the AOA offer support, it offers solutions.
For some that aspect is a vital part of the AOA’s reason for existence and for their association with the AOA.
Sometimes a referral is good for a member, I have used an AOA referred insurance broker for 14 years.
For others, the experience is far from ideal.
I believe that Bob’s and my investigation into the facts behind a new AOA member who had a very bad experience, directly led to our being removed as President and VP of the AOA Board in an emergency meeting.
That removal led to the creation of the A-F.
All of this is old news.
Current AOA members have to decide for themselves whether they are happy with what they receive from their membership.
Current AOA Board members have to decide (as a group) whether they are happy with how the organization is being run and if any changes are warranted.
Not my circus.
I hope this long post provides an adequate explanation without unduly opening old wounds.