i'll agree with redfox i started on an avistar, which is an advanced trainer meaning that you can learn to fly plus learn your basic aerobatics (loops, roll, inverted, etc.) as i was leaning toward solo flight, i was building a sig four star 60 took me around 9 months to complete the kit (i had a lot of "dings" learning....LOL) however with that said, the weekend i finished the 4*60 kit, i took it to the field and felt confident i could handle it, and i've been flying it ever since. i've moved on to even more aerobatic planes and warbirds but my 4* still comes with me to the field-unless we've got a high crosswind over the runway

but back on the subject at hand, i enjoy building, it does cost more to build a kit BUT of all the landings i've scuffed...my kits' landing gear has stayed intact. the only gear i've broken out was on a 300E ARF........that proves to me that kits "rock"