Coming from me: a guy thats built 2 kits and had 20+ ARF airplanes....I think ARF aircraft are the current "next generation"
Even the big, complicated designs are being produced as ARF. Alot of people, including myself, like to spend more time flying and do it as quickly as possible. The patience involved in building a kit, whether it be a car or plane, has all but dissapeared with todays hobbyists.

"old timers" or just dedicated hobbyists dont mind building a kit but your numbers are dwindling. Soon, kits will be as abundant as cox control line.