ORIGINAL: Don41
IZK: I built a Senior from a kit so it's structurally sound. I doubt you'll be putting any real stress on the frame until you are further along in the hobby so it should be fine. As long as you make sure it's properly balanced and has the designed control throws I think you'll find it a piece of cake to fly, very docile. I also have the 6 foot version still unbuilt and I plan to thoroughly modify it during construction. Not that it needs it, it's just a fun thing to do (:-).
MIKE: It's somewhat amazing to me that ARFs continue to be so popular. The forums are full of complaints about shoddy workmanship and cheap materials yet sales continue to be brisk.
My first Telemaster was built from a kit also but a mistake by me lead to it's demise due to a wing failure. Note to self....don't make wing spars out of anything but solid wood. Even heavy ply isn't strong enough without wing struts.
Both of my ARF's were given to me as a gift by a member of this board. I will agree that there could be major improvements to the design and construction but that would raise the price. If you picked one up on sale then I'd say it's worth it.
Factor in the total cost of getting the kit version off the ground and you will find out quick why the ARF is so popular and that's not counting the time and labor. It cost more then 60 bucks just to cover the thing and that's for one color!
Kit 110
Covering 60
misc hardware 30
Wheels 20
glue 20