I'm sorry that you misunderstood that part of the post. Dad wasn't wealthy when he bought his first airplane. It hurts to say that after 40+ years in the aviation business, he still wasn't wealthy when he recently passed away. He was always honest in his business, financial, and accounting methods. The larger airplane I mentioned was his moving up to a 150. That's right, UP to a 150.
My apologies for posting here.
Shelby.
Everyone is welcome to post here. I don't think that Steve was attempting to say that your dad, in particular was dishonest. What your dad did, was the same thing that people often get lucky enough to do (but never me) and that is buy something, use it, get "value" out of it, and turn right around and sell it and make money. I actually think it is a knack some people have, for spotting the right moment to buy and to sell. I buy things to keep, rarely selling them. I usually look at things I have that I would like to get rid of and think "who would want this, its worth nothing" (after all, I wouldn't want to get rid of it if it was worth something, correct?) I think its emotional attachment to the things you come buy.
Sometimes I come by things real cheap or even free. I would make money, and come out real good to sell it, but then, I wouldn't have it, and thats why I got it in the first place was to have it. I never seem to look in terms of resale, I guess I'm not an "easy come, easy go" person.
What Steve was pointing out was something I've witnessed first hand many times. People seem to figure, and figure, and refigure, how to buy and airplane and justify it. Always, its the resale, the "investment" that they keep coming back to, to justify the purchase. Your father justified his purchase by USING the airplane, he realized value from it, and wanted to move up, and came out good in doing so. Many people who try to use creative math to justify their airplanes end up lying to themselves, and usually everyone else. And when they sell, man, what a sucker they found and wow, how much them made on it. Sure, right, thats the norm. They have a knack, but not for, as Trump would say, "the art of the deal" but their knack is for making themselves look good. Remeber, "liars figure, and figures lie". These are the people Steve is refering to, and aviation seems to attract them.
No Shelby, I'm sure your father was one of the multitude of honest businessmen that have been in aviation over the years, that is shown by how YOU conduct your business. I've not heard a bad word about you, and good business conduct is not just learned, but I believe it is inherited and learned by observing others.
Charles
