Bob,

My response to Taildragger was simply to point out that there is much more to this hobby than shaking an airplane from the box and going flying. He seemed confused as to why someone would build. I gave him the answer.

You will always get what you pay for...you buy a $130 arf.. that's what you have.... one of a thousand planes that looks exactly like the other 999, but all 1000 made as cheaply as possible. I choose not to fly one. A better buy??? I don't think so. If you fly pattern and drop $2700 on an Oxai plane, more power to you..but for that kind of money you get a beautiful handcrafted plane....no double standard there.. I don't really think that planes in that category can be called ARFs... they are custom built aircraft...purpose built for one reason...to fly pattern. Does it take too long to build a plane? I don't think so... I have deadlines at work...not in my workshop. My time there is free.

As to is a builder "elitest" to the person who just buys a plane???? Sure he/she is....as is anyone who has put in the time/energy to learn how to turn anything from a pile of various materials into something that can fly/float/drive/compute/and give the birds a safe place in the winter. Pattern season starts soon....and I'm going to go have some fun in the shop....until the weather clears....


Deadstik