Hi,

The points so well made by so many distill the many threads that have already been on this matter.

From my experience it seems that "the norm" is for most newcomers to the R/C addiction assemble and fly ARF's some will pick up building skills repairing the inevitable damage from unplanned landings and a much smaller percentage will move on to also build kits and a far smaller percentage will also try plan and scratch building. I also see in my club some of the very experienced builders who are time deprived with work and family also purchasing ARFs, (particularly 3D models) to give a new form of flying a try.

Given the ageing of the populations of most "first world" countries as "the baby boomers" retire I suspect more may build as they have time to fill in.

Cheers,

Colin