Unfortunately, if it were not for the ARFs the hobby would already be dead. People just have so much more going on these days that it's not practical for many to build like they did back during the 1950's through the 80's. Today we have many more forms of entertainment, and obligations. People do work longer hours today, and when they get home, have to spend time with their families- not hours alone in the basement gluing and sanding wood sticks. I used to build, but don't have time for it now. And when I did build, the plane always came out heavy and crappy looking compared to the new ARFs you can buy today, plus it costs more money to build, and has poorer resale value! That doesn't make sense. If I have extra time, it will need to go towards advancing my education, not building toy planes. So thankfully the RTFs are here, or I'd already be done with the hobby- even an ARF is just too much to deal with these days. And even that isn't enough these days to keep the hobby alive it seems- I'm the only one I know of that flies R/C planes, even with all the great RTFs out there now.