ORIGINAL: combatpigg
I will say though that getting involved in some form of competition will speed up the learning rate many times, too.
I agree, I sail competitively and always tell people I learn more in 3 days of racing my sailboat then I do, sailing it the rest of the year!
However, I really have no interest in competing in R/C, I do this for fun and have found I don't feel R/C competition is fun. I have done some competitive sailplane flying (duration for RES type sailplanes) so, know from where I speak. This is for myself, of course!
I am not bad mouthing competition! I know that competition pushes product development, makes products better, drives down prices, etc.
Life is plenty competitive as it is, so it's not like I'm turning away from competition, I just feel some aspects of my life can do without it!