jquid
Posts: 184
Joined: 7/29/2002
Last Login: 5/3/2013
From: st. charles,
IL, USA
Status: offline
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Wow. lots going on in this thread.
Ok I started building kits when I was 12. For one kits were all that were available at the time, and it was cheaper that way. I built a Goldberg Gentle Lady, and saved 2 summers for a 3 channel Futaba.
I learned to fly with a bunch of retired pilots, some from WWII, some commercial. (late70's). I learned to build better, straighter from flying with them and then on my own.
For people with the "Instant gratification for humans"- there was gratification from building. I read the instructions, cut parts, I built another part of the airplane and it looked like the picture! Gratification arrived. Then each part, then it looked like a plane all complete, more gratification! Then out to the field, it flies! Even more gratification.
I was 12-13.
Skip ahead to this forum, and today. I would say everyone here posting is above age 12. We have families now, or retired or in between. For each one of us each part of what I just described either gives us pleasure, or it does not. some like to just fly and go fast as hell, others like to fly but like to go slow, or hover.
Others like to build something that is not in a current kit, or ARF, that gives them the most pleasure.
My point is, the hobby has so much different directions to go, none is right or wrong. It is what makes each person, personally happy. My son is 5, and this summer we plan on getting him an airplane to fly, yes it will be an arf, most likely the multiplex one. Why? because if he like the flying part, he would most likely like going into the workshop with Dad and building his first kit by himself. He would already know how to fly, and understand why it flies. Now he can understand the building process better. Why does this need to be strong here, or why do I need to put this silly wingtip higher at the tip?
We all have busy lives, and sometimes we do not have the time we had when we were 12, agreed?
We can keep the kits alive, by showing the next generation what it is about-IF that interests them.
I had a professor in my Avionics class that was trying to get more women into the field, he felt there was an unfair amount of guys in the programs. Well, when you talked to them, they just were not interested in that particular field, so why make them? Why bash ARFers, and Kitters? Neither is right or wrong, it is a hobby, and each person should be respected for what they decide to do. Any true heli kits out there anymore? I still have a GMP Cricket. Any today come with all screws in bags, and metal pieces to be assembled, any wood to be glued together to make a servo mount? I think most heli kits are not true kits anymore, but those guys have a much harder time flying than fixed wing. But that is just another facet of the hobby-not wrong, not right.
If someone shows up to the field with a plane that looks unsafe, or crappy heavy, why not help them? Give them some pointers? Help them check the CG, the engine running right. This thread was littered with "He looks Dangerous", or he can't build. or I got his stuff because he couldn't get the engine tuned even! Share with them your experiences, and don't just turn and look away, and say, wow I knew that was going to happen.
just my .02 spend it the way you like.
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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> The Clubhouse >> RE: Why don't many people build RC airplane kits anymore? 
RE: Why don't many people build RC airplane kits anymore? - 
As I suspected, all bark, no bite. Thanks for making my point valid about the panic stuff, I mean pilot stuff. Remember, practice makes perfect. 
