I read a lot of the e-mail relating to costs of parts and service relating to our flying. Since I ran a competitive business for over 45 years, I can understand both sides of the issue. There were times that customes simply found ways to no longer use my product, or found someone else to supply them at a lesser cost. The one thing I learned early on was that there are two things a business owner will NEVER own; A customer and an employee. Either one can leave you for whatever reason they see fit. Airplane owners are the same as any other customer. We are looking at how much it costs to fly our airplanes each year. WE DO NOT HAVE TO CONTINUE FLYING! It is a RECREATIONAL thing for us! The people in the aviation industry must realize the same thing I did when I was in business. "Every time you raise the cost of your product, you will lose a certain portion of your market." That is a simple fact both sides must accept. I am sure there are members of this group that are on the fringe of calling it quits because of costs. Times have not changed, there will always be those who love to fly as much as the rest of us, but are unable to continue for financial reasons. (People get out of boating for the same reason. Economics drives everything!) I used to fly a very nice Comanche. I sold it. Although I could afford it, still being buisnessminded, there was no economic justification to keep it. I bought my Alon as a replacement. When I flew the Comanche out to Sunday breakfast, I logged .8 hours flying time. With the Alon, I log 1.2 hours. I am actually doing MORE FLYING with the Alon than I did with the Comanche. (Which is what I went to the airport to do in the first place! So why, tell me, do I need a FASTER airplane to do LESS of what I want to do in the first place?) TThe faster guys always wait in line for a table and save me a seat. I walk in and sit down without waiting. (I win. They lose!) George Frebert
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