I have been modeling for several years but recently bought my first ARF. I crashed the Extra I had been flying and it was either buy an ARF, or search for something used, or not fly at all due to work, wife, kids, etc. Like a lot of people, I would rather build my own plane but just don't have time. One thing I've noticed with the advent of ARFs is that it seems like a lot of people move up to more aerobatic planes sooner than they should because it is so easy to just go out and buy it. I think it's a different story when you have hours and hours into building the plane. You tend to think a little more about what your next plane should be based on your current ability. I've seen more than one person at the field who just didn't have enough stick time show up with an Extra or something and put it right in the ground. They shrugged their shoulders and said they would just go buy another one. In the assembly booklet with the GP Wagstaff Extra I got it has a reminder to make sure you are heading in to the wind when taking off. Doesn't it seem like if you are going to be flying something like an Extra that you should have enough experience to know that? I am not bashing ARFers, or saying no one who buys an ARF knows how to fly . As I said, if it wasn't for ARFs I wouldn't have what I have. Just seems like ARFs make it much easier for people to get in over their heads. Just my observation, that I'm sure others out there completely disagree with.

vtsmx