I hope it returns, but I'm not holding my breath for that. It is dying. The only way to keep it alive is with demand - people building kits or assembling ARF's, and buying glow engines for them. I am now in the middle of building my 3rd kit in 7 months, so I am trying to do my part to keep the hobby alive.

Unfortunately, .25-size glow engines have gotten very difficult to find, and the kit I wanted to build (Uravich 52" OV-10 Bronco short kit) needed 2 of those, and I was unable to find a matching pair that was not at an astronomical price, so I chose instead to build an electric Parkflyer Plastics OV-10 short kit. I would much prefer glow, as I love real machines (engines more than motors), and electric planes just don't have the sound and "feel" for me. Not that they are lacking in performance. I take the cost of glow fuel, the mess and cleanup as just a "cost of doing business" when you get real sound and more authentic flying.

I agree about the "instant gratification" angle killing this hobby. The same people that don't want to build a kit don't change their own oil on their automobiles, mow their own grass or fix things on their vehicles and houses. Self-sufficiency and independence has withered down to just a few people here & there, these days. I refuse to pay someone to do something that I am capable of doing myself. I even dislike ARF's, and will always choose a kit instead, if I have the choice.

I love this hobby, and have for over 35 years. I want to keep doing this hobby until I am no longer able to stand on my own two feet. I love aircraft. I love flying. I love building. I hate seeing this hobby dying.

There - I'm done rambling. For now.