WINNERS AND LOSERS: 2001-2003 ûTiger (top picture, -2 percent) and Katana (bottom picture, -26 percent).

We take grim amusement from the television commercial making the rounds these days in which the hapless suburbanite is chased over hill and dale by the postman brandishing an envelope. When the poor sap is finally caught, he’s informed “it’s just your brokerage statement, Al.”

Considering the state of the used aircraft market, we sense there are more than few Al’s being chased across airport ramps or, if they’re trying to sell an airplane, trying not to think about how much prices have fallen during the past two years. Sometimes, it’s just better not to know. …