I would say that the model airplane "hobby" has traditionally been based on kits, so that is where I would draw the line, regardless of the nature of the kit. To one side of that would be scratch builders, who build from plans, or even more extreme would be those who design their own. To the other side, would be ARF or RTF, depending on whether the "hobby" of building or the "sport" of flying are most important to you. As a person who enjoys the building more than the flying, I gravitate toward kits, but many I know love to fly, but just have no time to build. To each his own. A similar argument could be made for gas (glow) or electric as well, as some consider only "engine" powered models to be "real" model airplanes. I would ask if buying an electric RTF is different in any way from buying any other "toy" or is it still a "hobby"? Just my 2c.