It's mid 1980s and I'm excited about a new music medium called compact disc. Clean sounding digital recordings that do not wear out. The future has arrived. I buy a magazine about new medium and I learn they will be pricey compared to tapes and vinyl, selling for about $15 to $18 per disc. This pricing is only temporary because it is a new technology, manufacturing requires clean room conditions and there would not be enough capacity to satisfy demand. In a while, prices would drop to compete with tape and vinyl.

Nearly twenty years have passed and I'm still waiting, along with rest of world. A couple weeks ago, I heard one recording company was going to drop its typical retail price to $12. What does a tape cost me these days, $5? $12 does not sound competitive to me. This week I hear that drop to $12 is not going to happen after all. Still, millions of people continue to pay $15 and up for music on CD.

Not so many years ago, after more than a decade of price gouging by industry, digital file sharing on Internet makes digital recordings available to people for free. The trend grows and industry cries foul. Foul indeed! How many free recordings does consumer have coming after buying hundreds at industry's inflated pricing? I say, all they want. When an entire industry lies to public about its intentions, it deserves to no longer exist. I will celebrate when last recording company closes its doors. Power to people! All is fair in theft and business.

Over years I have heard and read many stories of performing artists cheated out of their share of revenues by industry. Now they are turning to self-production and selling their recordings direct to consumer. Of course, it is just as easy to take their music for free as well. Now entire industry becomes a matter of ethics. So let's talk about that.

Why don't we do as public radio and TV? I imagine a $10 donation for albums produced by artists and small, independent producers would provide a fair compensation for all involved for an album. Those who download single songs should be willing to pay $1 each song as some of new services require. The singles down loaders are still saving cost of music they don't want, even though they may be making a mistake in hastily deciding what they want. In days of old, when I bought vinyl singles, B sides often grew on me to point I liked them better than hit. I paid for two sides; I might as well hear two sides.

Probably not, however you can own a plane that will accomplish most of what you'd like it to do. First you must ask yourself following questions:

1. How will I be using this airplane?

Business

Flying myself from point "A" to point "B" Flying myself and a couple of employees Flying customers

Personal

Flying to a 2nd home, either up north or in south Vacationing with my airplane Visiting family, friends or children I'm a Sunday afternoon flyer Aerobatic flying Flying a floatplane around lakes

2. Where will I be flying my airplane?

Pretty much within state Regional travel, within a couple of states Flying more than a tank of fuel away regularly

3. How many passengers will I normally have?

4. What is my flying experience level?

5. How much can I comfortably afford each month?

The "ideal" airplane will do it all for you, but realistically, if you can purchase a plane that will accomplish 90% of your missions, you're doing great! On that rare occasion that you want to take that extra person, or land on water, or do a couple of barrel rolls. . . RENT a plane for afternoon!

If you plan to fly your plane for more than time it takes to find a good airport restaurant, comfort and ease of flying will become important considerations. Look for seats that adjust in several directions and with back support. Head room and shoulder room won't seem to be an issue on a "demo" flight, but try to anticipate your needs when you've been in a seat for 4-5 hours. Can you stretch a bit or are you cramped and irritable?

Does airplane's range meet your needs? A fuel stop will cost you an hour so few knots you gained with faster plane may not get you to your destination first if you had to make a stop.