I like the fact that all the posts in this thread have been polite and rational so far. Here is my observation: I get a lot of email from glider guys. They have wildly different viewpoints. Most of the different viewpoints can be explained by the differences in where they are at in their life. You could also say that the opportunity cost per hour drives things. For example, There is a strong correlation between those who build wooden kits and those that are retired. Many of the current scratch builders are also retired. These guys have the time to pursue it. There are guys that have work plus kids to manage. If they want to continue flying, they need ARFS. If their time is worth a lot per hour, the LEAST expensive planes are those that are most completely built. i.e. $1000 plus 5 hours to finish is more attractive than $700 plus 20 hours to finish. As much as I love to design and scratch build, I paid somebody to install servos in an ARF for me last year. Two toddlers plus other commitments meant I do not have time to build. I wanted to use those few free afternoons to fly. The guys that are working yet do not have kids at home are not as easy to categorize. If they are have the means, purchasing molded ARFs may allow them the time to pursue several sports instead of just one. So what you think depends are both where you are at and where you are from. All the viewpoints are rational. Just different priorities applied to the same problem. Mike Garton RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
