ORIGINAL: NewFlyingMan

First off, you got balls of steel to fly like that so closely to the ground/water. I don't even like flying my models that low, including when I'm landing, always seems that's when bad stuff happens. In any event...

People have pretty much beat this topic to death, but I figured I'd chime in with my two cents...

A lot of guys in my club swear by ARFs, but I swear at them. Despite their claims I still think they are pieces of garbage. As many people have pointed out they are built in jigs, and someone mentioned glue, but if you ever take one apart you'll find that they are held together by their covering. Too many times I've found this to be true when making repairs or bashing. I think the glue is just temporary until they get all the "stickers" wrapped around.

I love building from kit and scratch. It is one thing to say that you can fly, but to say you actually built the airplane puts you in an elite group. And I don't want to here anybody griping about I don't have the time. I have 4 young kids, wife, and FT job and I still find time for this and other hobbies. It is just a matter of having your priorities set straight.

I'm not gonna say I can waive a magic wand and give you an all-inclusive list of kits, because as many have pointed out the industry, against its better judgement, has gone that way. You just gonna have to search high (RCU) and low (eBay) for a kit. If you can't find it look for plans and go through a kit cutter, or build from true scratch. Or draw your own and build it.

Worse, really, case scenario, buy an ARF and take the covering off. When all these pieces fall apart you'll have a kit you can glue back together and finish the way you want.

This ought to strike a nerve with some...

There ought to be a rule against ARFs, or maybe a waiver process by AMA for non-airworthy aircraft. Wow, I need some therapy. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, I think I'll go home and do some more scratch work on my 27% Skybolt.

Good luck flying, in both venues.