About 6 months ago, I got back into the R/C flying after being away from it for about 20 years. I was amazed by the way ARF models(particularly glow) have improved over the years, such that they are now more popular than kit built planes, at least in my club. I was even more impressed by RTF trainers like the Superstar and Avistar ( I have one of each) and I'm wondering how long it will be before companies like Hobbico and Hangar 9 begin offering RTF glow sport models for intermediate and advanced flyers.

It is said that the main advantages of moving up to an ARF sport model as a second plane are that the modeler saves money by moving the engine and radio from his trainer to the new ship, and also saves time by having a model that is already largely put together. In my experience, however, many fliers upgrade their engine and radio equipment at this point anyway, for improved performance. It's hard to imagine putting the OS .40 LA from my Avistar into a Futana or Sig Somethin' Extra, for example. Also, most ARF planes still require a good 10-20 hours of drilling, sanding, gluing and cussing in order to get them airworthy.

How cool would it be if we could get that Futana complete from the manufacturer with an OS .46 AX and a good 6 channel radio installed? The extra cost of the RTF over the ARF would be justified, I think, by the time and effort saved in final assembly.

There will always be modelers who love to build, and good kits for them to put together, but for those of us (like me) who don't have the time or workspace to put together an ARF, an RTF sport model with a good glow engine would be an ideal product. I'd love to know how other modelers feel about this, and whether anyone knows of such a product that is currently available. If not, hopefully it will only be a matter of time. I'm posting this in both the Beginner and ARF/RTF forums, so hopefully many contributors will respond.