Samalot,
Yeah, it can hurt when a plane you built crashes. But you tend to be more careful with a plane you built, which IMHO will make you a better pilot. In these ARF/RTF days it's so easy to get another plane back in the air quickly after flying that a lot of pilots just get in the air and turn loose, and if they crash the plane "oh well." But the plane you build, you are going to "baby" it until you really get a feel for how it flies and reacts. You tend to avoid maneuvers that are above your skill level, and more than the plane can handle.

Now for something you can't get with any ARF, pride. When you see the plane that you built in the air you get filled with a sense of pride. You have no idea how good it feels to put your plane down in the pits and here everybody "ohhh" and "awww" over your plane.

I've had one plane that I build 7 years now. There is no reason a built plane can't last for awhile.

Hope this helps.