1st of all, RC aircraft used to be making/building your planes from kits or plans. It would take months of cutting and shaping balsa/wood and covering. Now, there are more ARF's (Almost Ready to Fly) than kits. Reason is many flyers want to be up in the air faster since kit/plan/scratch building takes time. ARF's are mainly assembly only. Most have the wings/tail/fuselage pre-covered for you. And, most have the holes pre-drilled etc. If you look at all the major hobby shops, there are more ARF's than kits.
Its nice to have many companies that make models. This gives a competitive landscape that helps keep prices reasonable. As I see it right now, the aerobatic and 3D models are the rage. All the advertisements are for 540 Extra or Cap 232.
Finally, electric powered planes are coming into their own. No clean up after flying, no fooling with the engine etc. Plus, the cost has come down. I belong to 2 clubs and each one has many E-flyers as well as glow/gas.

Dave...