If it wins me some more points, I'll have to admit I was a bit saddened when I started reading RC magazines again lately after being away from that for a number of years--so many ARF's advertised. I would never have guessed that the industry would have moved that way. To each their own, I suppose.

I've build about 4 balsa models lately, three Guillows kits (two die-cut, one laser cut) and a Great Planes BLT. I don't have anything to really compare the quality with, but I know that each one went together much better than the previous one. So I think I'd have no problem putting together a simple airplane from plans. Which is actually one of the reasons I was thinking of building the Basic Trainer from plans: after the Guillows kits, I'm pretty sure I could handle something made from a bunch of sticks. Lots of cutting, but simple to do, too.

I have ulterior motives though. With the money saved on kits I'll be able to buy more equipment that makes the building easier and more fun. And, not having flown RC yet, it will make getting into the hobby a bit less expensive (The BLT has no electronics and is therefore grounded). I haven't yet joined yet, but I'm still trying to get over the $250 it will cost me to join our local flying club ($100 dues, $100 initiation and $50 for MAAC (the Canadian AMA) membership which provides insurance).

I add up all the costs and figure that I'm going to have to start saving for that Mexican vacation for my supportive wife.

Anyway, being a high school teacher, I have access to a wood & metal shop (and experienced wood and metal workers) and was already thinking of making an aluminum or ply template for the ribs and using a disk sander and a band saw to shape and cut slots in them by the stack. I'd even consider making enough parts for another wing, just in case.

But the best part of making a trainer for my first scratch built is that when it hits the ground for the first time and turns into more than its original parts, I won't care as much because then I'll never have to ask people to forgive its looks because "it was my first plane". And hey, it wouldn't have even cost me that much.

I'll check out the Telemaster on RCM.

Thanks.