The questions about "fancy planes make me fly better" or "i am judged poorly because of my sub-par pattern plane" are interesting - there were a lot of them.

Is it really that big of an issue in the community? Do people really feel disadvantaged because they don't fly a $5000 airframe, or will be judged poorly because of a 5yo second-hand ARF?

I don't. I'd love a nice new plane, but just because I like nice toys. I think the judges mostly give great feedback after a flight, usually things I notice too, so obviously not because they like or don't like my plane.

I like this community, and pattern flying is fun. I am thankful for all of it.