I understand what you guys are saying about PNP's and ARF's taking out a part of the hobby. I do think that it does (taking into consideration I have not build a kit - only ARF). I agree and disagree that it's kind of a bad thing. I agree because you probably build up a lot of knowledge when building from scratch/kit. But I think a lot of people would probably not have gotten involved in this if they had to build a kit - whether it was because they don't have the time, just not into the building part itself, or whatever reason. I think this is where RTF, ARF & PNP's plays a big part.

Let's take a scenario for instance (only applicable on some people - depends on personality)...

A person decides to get in RC planes and are prepared to take the time building a kit. After a couple of weeks/months he finishes the kit and goes out to fly whether with or without an instructor. The airplane has a mechanical failure and hits the dirt...nothing is repairable. This guy is probably going to quit. Where as if, in the world we have today, he could just go out buy a ARF or RTF - build that which needs to be build still, in a weeks time go up and lets say...mechanical failure...WHAM! (In the case that he has the money) go and buy a new ARF or RTF. Or wait for payday to buy it.

^^just an example

I build plastic model airplanes, it's the closest to building a plane from scratch which I have come :P. I would love to build a rc kit - but it's just too expensive.