My 2c...

In South Africa RC modelling kit is almost 3 times more expensive than in USA (comparatively to earning power).

1) I started out wanting to fly not build.
2) I got a balsa ARF and it taught me the basic building and got me in the sky.
3) After I crashed it, I bought another 2nd balsa trainer to continue my training in the same week, and got to fly pretty good.
4) Then I build a Balsa fun fly from scratch; to see what is was like, man did it take me some time and frustration.
5) I babied the scratch build plane, until it crashed, and was very de-motivated, almost ready to leave the hobby.
6) I stumbled on www.spadtothebone.com, Lucky me I had RC kit already to fit into a SPAD plane
7) My first SPAD was not a good flyer but I was impressed on how quickly and cheaply the plane came together (SPAD has a learning curve though!)
8) My second, third SPAD got better and better.
9) Now I love how quickly I can change designs try my own things without breaking the bank. I have grown and now I like to build and try new things.

My Bottom line is: I have grown into a true Aero Modeller, not just an Flyer, and SPAD being cheap and easy allows that for me.