I really can't say that I think building is coming back. Look at what's available out there. We see new kits coming all the time, most of these are in the scale or sport scale categories though. You get new manufactures producing great kits. Red Star RC, Sky Shark, and a designer here and there that is offering something new. But with all of that, you have companies such as Pica and others that just close there doors.

I also started about 25 years ago with my Dad who built CL planes. Back then you had to build. There is nothing like seeing what you put together going through the air! I just got my first ARF -- a present from my Dad. He has two and four kits somewhere in progress or lined up. I think ARFs are great, it has gotten a lot of people into the Sport of flying. Many of the guys at our field just don't have time to build. I actually spend about 85% of my hobby time building.

I also agree that you just can't build a kit for what an ARF costs. But then again, I wouldn't say the ARFs that I have seen are super quality. How nice can a $100 plane be when its assemble in a factory in Vietnam or China?

Building give a sense of accomplishment that flying cannot give. I know that there are lots of guys who bring out new ARFs to the field. Of course they get a compliment or two but you can only take pride in something that you build from a box of sticks, patients, and skill.

I think ARFs are a good addition to our past time, but I hope we don't see any more bleeding of the kit manufactures. After all, Tower just annouced that it was discontinuing the Top Flite P-39 -- what's next?