Here's how I see things. Most of the builders "nowdays" are older guys. Sure, there are some young builders out there. As far as builders not being able to fly as good as guys who fly ARF's, I believe that it is because that the majority of the builders, older guys, simply can't see as well as they used to. I know some older flyers that have been said to be some of the best flyers around, when they were in their prime. These same guys tell me that their eyesight simply isn't what it used to be, and that their reaction time is nowhere near as good. Makes sense to me. I guess I'll find it to be true when I get their age, that is if I live that long. As far as young builders not being able to fly as good as guys their same age who build ARF's, I can't quite say. I know two guys who love to build, and they're my age, 32. They are two of the best flyers at my field, but they have been in the hobby since they were 12. I can see though, how ARF builders "can" sometimes be a bit better at flying than kit builders. Kits do take time to build, and ARFs don't. When the kit guy is at home building, the ARF is at the field honing his flying skills, which can ultimately lead up to him being the better pilot. These are not facts, just possibilities.

I have only been in this hobby for three or four years now, and I learned to fly very quickly because of ARF's. I have built one kit and the rest,which have been many, ARF's. I am not a kit builder. I do not have the time nor patience. From talking to many older flyers, ARF's have come a long way. They tell me that it is very hard to build a kit for the price you pay for an ARF, and the ARF is nearly as good in quality as a home-built. If an old-timer tells me this, you can bet I believe him. I know that it is hard to believe that any ARF can be as solid as a home-built kit, but the truth is that the ARF's are growing better and better in quality each day. Just my two cents.

John