Thanks for that. One thing:

The alleged stomping incident. Don't worry, I heard all about it. Great example. If I followed some of your logic, I'd HATE that person. Now ask anyone who talked to me and ask them what I said. I don't "do" rumor. I don't care if he gently disassembled it, or set it on fire and sang koombayah. It was his to do with as he pleased. IF it was true it might be considered a little disrespectful, but then really, who cares if it's true or not. I certainly don't. What does it matter?

Bottom line is that plane had a bazillion flights on it, a crash and rebuild, etc. I didn't finish the new one in time and that is MY fault, not his. I was too stubborn because I hate not finishing what I start. I could have handed that project off a couple of times but I didn't. That's on me, not him. How he handled the situation when it's number came up well... that's on him, not me. I hope he handled it with grace. And I hope I would have. But look at that particular airframe's record. win win win win and a couple 2nds at the nats....CLOSE ones that could have gone either way depending on numbers and interpretation. If that plane were to get a viking funeral (AKA burned) it would be an honorable death. How many of us have had planes with that kind of success for that long? Think about it.

Nope my health did me in last year, and my general attitude finished the job. Sure I have had some people cross paths with me that I REALLY don't care for because of things they did to me PERSONALLY, but the one you cited isn't on that list. Should he be? Not my call to make. But I made that call already and the answer is no, he's not on that list. We did a lot for each other over the years and bottom line it was time for a change, for both of us.

And I am not going to throw him under the bus for it. That would make me just as bad as some of the people here, and I ain't goin there.

-Mike