I agree with practically everything said by the builders in this thread. Of course when I started in the hobby the only ARFs were the Jim Walker Firebaby and the overweight Cox control line things.

I do own one RTF which I purchased about a year and a half ago after I had been badly injured in a vehicle accident and had surgery which kept me out of the shop for a while. I fount that flying the thing was stress free as I had no time or personal involvement invested in the plane. I also found the experience totally lacking in terms of satisfaction or feeling of personal accomplishment. In fact, after a couple of flights I was bored with the whole thing.

In addition, building is seldom curtailed by darkness or inclement weather.

jess