RE: Whatever happened to the kits?
Flying is a sport.
Building is a hobby.
I like to build. I used to do it all the time, but now my time is at a premium. The last kit I built (Outside of one I did for a review) took over 2 years to finish.
So if you like to fly, but don't like to build, get an ARF.
If you like to build, get a Kit.
And BTW, in case some of you Kit Builders haven't heard, Great Planes has re-introduced several of their best kits (Ultra Sport 40 & 60 Super Sportster 40 & 60 and the Tracer)
If you've never flown an Ultra Sport, you've never flown!