As for ARF vs Kit, here is a typical description of each.

Kit - you get a set of plans, instruction book, and lots of parts that are typically cut out or laser cut from balsa, balsa sticks, some plywood parts etc. You then proceed to buld up each structure - fuselage, wings, rudder and elevator from these parts. After this is done the pieces are covered, radio gear, engine, control rod hook-ups, etc are installled and the plane is ready to go.

To build a kit, you will need some tools (model knife, ruler, straight edge, sanding blocks, square, triangles etc), glues (CA - very fast, or carpenters glue, epoxy for firewall, wing center joint) and covering (typically an iron-on polyester that comes precolored, a covering iron, etc).

Going with a kit can take a considerable time to get to a ready-to-fly condition - this totally depends on your building skills.


ARF - these come as a set of pre-assembled and covered items - fuselage, wing (typically in 2 pieces), rudder, elevator. Construction is minimized compared to a kit. Typically it consists of joining the wing halves, installing the engine, fuel tank and radio gear in the fuselage, attaching the elevator and rudder to the fuselage, then installing control surface push rods.

The ARF goes together a lot quicker (5 - 20 hours depending on your skill level). So you will be ready to get in the air quicker than with a kit.

A major difference is that if (when) you ding your trainer, if it was built from a kit, you will have the skills to repair it. If it is an ARF, you will be looking at the repair process with limited experience.

I am sure others will jump in and expand on this - I am trying to keep my reply reasonably short, but hopefully with enough information so you can ask some more questions as needed.

Take care,