Boy, this is where RC flying, human relations and politics converge. This is the kind of thread that could go on forever. Most of the postings are a few months old, but your recent posting might kick things up again.

I'm not going to get into a sophisticatrd argument on this subject. I will only say that I think that what makes this hobby/sport great is that anyone that gets involved can chose from countless variety of options; one can choose to build or not build; one can buy $150 ARF's or $2000 "custom" ARF's. You want to design? Go ahead, Modify? Sure, why not. You can fly pattern, 3D, scale, combat, race, etc.

I know of a guy that likes to build but is not intereseted in flying. Certainly, many people are not interested in building (or maybe they just THINK they're not intereted, but might get hooked if they tried it) Some people even get around this issue by buying planes that a fellow club member built. So... who's right? who's wrong?

AND THE ANSWER IS....(drums please)......EVERYBODY IS RIGHT!

Yes. Nobody is wrong. Everybody is right!!!

You see, the beauty of this hobby is that you can do as you please.

I like to build and I like to fly. To me there's nothing like a good 70's/80's era pattern ship built and flight trimmed with fastidious care. But, have I bought and flown ARF's? You betcha. I'm just making my comeback into RC (just over a year) and if it wasn't for ARF's I still wouldn't have flown at all. ARF's do their job and for the most part, they do it well. The difference between the built and ARF's is in the details.

And classic pattern (CP) flying is my first love but... do I limit myself to just CP? No. I've tried other "branches" of RC and will continue to do so. Heck, I'm even close to trying hovering and some other 3D stuff, as I believe it will only help polish my hand/eye coordination when flying CP.

Are people who build the planes they fly purists; elitists; better than the rest? who cares... nobody should care! Nobody should look down at others because their approach to the hobby differs from their own.

So, if someone wants to compete with an ARF Kaos, I say, go ahead and enjoy! If that is what pleases you. And at the end of the day lets shug down a couple of beers and share a few stories.