[dragonwriter]

> i was/am a fan of the airplane founders but this is so disappointing. what went wrong?

The airplane founders/owners got a big payday. What makes you think that, from their perspective, something went wrong?

> no lessons to pass on to others.

Someone just paid them for all their lessons, why would they give them away for free?

[morgante]

> The airplane founders/owners got a big payday.

I would not assume anyone got a major payout in an acquihire.

[chii]

If they settled for an acquihire, then it must be the best out of all the alternatives - which means it's as big a payday as they'll ever get.