Is there a way for me to close my own question? I don't want to immediately delete it, because I want to use it as source material to ask a better question.

The problem is that the true question-within-the-question was subtle enough that I didn't even see it myself.

I'd like to correct it, but in the meantime people keep trying to answer, and are missing the point because I missed the point.

Question in question: aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/89310/…

@KennSebesta being answered and an answer upvoted, deleting is no longer an option unless it ages (6 months IIRC)

you can definitely ask a new question about the point that was missed

closing is doable as OP but only as a duplicate to another

@ymb1 Well, crap. I guess I should have just nuked it when I had the chance.