Ron:

You made some very interesting points. (1) you are right, it costs more to build. You can buy ARF's cheaper than
we can build them. (2) I think you're right. People who stay in the hobby generally will attempt to build something,
if for no other reason, cause the other club members who do build are always encouraging those who don't to try
it at least once. Peer pressure? (3) "and for some, getting into the air is the objective." We have several members
who fly only profile 3-D. That's their thing. They are not interested in anything else. They like to just "get up"
and wring it out.

Each to his own. That's what makes it so interesting.