Originally Posted by
Neverlost1
No, but if you install the piston/ring, crankshaft/connecting rod, bearings, cylinders, and carburator, did you "build" an engine or assemble one. Do you need to cast and machine the parts to be able to claim you built it?
I have both kit built and ARFs. I personally prefer ARFs. I prefer flying to "building". Building gives me an emotional attachment to the aircraft I "built" because of all the time invested. It hurts alot more if I loose a plane I built - only loose a some money if I loose an ARF (no emotional attachment). I have personally never had an ARF suffer a structural failure, and I fly very aggressively. I am a blender and tumbling nut. I did have a 1/4 scale cub I built from a kit suffer from total structural failure (hit the ground at full throttle):-)
Well, that is a very valid point. When they hit the ground full throttle, hard to tell if it was or not home built or an ARF... My next project is an RTF that is about to be turned into an ARC (almost ready to cover) updated and improved where and if needed, sale details added, and then re-covered. It is a Wendell Hostetler 30% in RTF state right now (not for long). I bought a old used Decathlon, inactive for some time. Will re-hab as soon as I get the time. I have one more project in line before this one.
Most great acrobatic pilots we read about in the magazines fly ARFS. Somezini and so many, many more... May out there have a builder put together their arfs... There IS no wrong or right way to have fun, as long as you are having fun. Just that too many seem too stupeed to understand this concept. I am going to the Wram show tomorrow. Let's see what inspires me... (to let go of some cash, and reactivate the economy).
Gerry