I agree with Clay. I started out " buying my 1st trainer complete, rebuilding it many, many times. After I got used to it, I bought another "complete plane" I then bought an ARF flew it for awhile. I decided I needed the "experience" of building my first kit ( 4*40). I have since built 5 kits. Last summer I built a Mid West Super Hots (60 size) from plans. It came out great, which to be honest, kinda surprised me. I'm somewhat of a "perfectionist" but it seems I always settle for less. I just bought another ARF from Nitro ( Zlin 50) & am starting on a GP Extra 300S kit. Long story short; I think that is what makes this hobby so great, no matter what level you choose to participate; ARFs, kits , scratch building, from plans, whatever! The other guys in the club are always interested in what you're doing & visa-versa. Whatever your level of skill, it seems like the hobby has a place for you. We have a guy at our field that builds beautifull planes, I mean beautifull !! I had never seen him fly. Iasked one of the older members what the deal was. He said,oh, yea, he can fly, better than anybody out here, he likes to build them. I got to see him fly this summer, all I could say was , WOW !!