hello..back again:
I have seven airplanes of which only one is an ARF. Of those other six which I built from kits they are all now available as an ARF. IMHO most hobbyists in R/C airplanes that assemble ARFs either do not have the time (raising families) or simply don't have the room to sand/paint/or deal with glue, iron on coverring fumes which is required to build.
Some, the minority of ARF fliers, just have too much money to burn or don't want to take the time to build.
I've been fortunate to have the room and the support of my wife and family to allow me to spend hour upon hour to build kits.
It's been mentioned in this and other posts about LHS's not having kits on the shelves which leaves one (newbies) to believe there are no kits. They get into the hobby and go to their local flying field and see all of the same plane of which they just bought or see their next plane which is also an ARF. Someone mentions "building a kit". Which is replied :"I built mine" not understanding what a kit is.
If kit building is to make a comeback then alot has to be done about "kit" quality and price as well. Yeah, sure, some have interlocking, laser cut parts but if you get down to the nuts and bolts of a kit you understand that two piece cowls, plastic wing tips,belly pans, soft landing gear, weak landing gear supports, engine mounts,etc. are just few things that make building a kit so much less attractive.
If you enjoy tinkerring and have pride in flying what you spent your blood ,sweat and sometimes tears on then keep building.
I for one love to build kits and will continue since I have four sitting in my garage. That's just me.

Happy Flying


Tom