I'm looking at an ARF plane that is called a PNP, an E-Flite mini ultra stick that is about $219. For me it look like buying one of these setups might just be cheaper in parts than building a kit and the quality looks really good. So why not have it built and get flying sooner? This one needs a receiver, a battery, some wire and a couple of solder joings and you're flying.

A friend bought one as an aerobatic trainer and says he is now in no hurry to buy a high performance 3D plane because he is having so much fun with the PNP ultra stick. I'm hearing some talk about an ultra stick pylon race. There are several other ultra stick flyers that really like their planes.

E-Flite is an excellent brand and they have had much success with their Plug-N-Play (PNP) line

The PNP( and RTF ) concepts do indeed get you in the air in absolutely minimal time. The Avistar that I learned on, and still fly four years later, was an RTF. Early on I replaced the 40LA with a OS46fx. The plane has held up well, even through the rough treatment that 1st trainers invariably receive. I`ve also opted for the PNP model of the Hangar 9 Pulse XT 40. Hangar 9 generally has a reputation for quality ARFs, and I`ve certainly found the Pulse to be no exception. Great flyer, lands easy, good practice for tail dragger handling and will do all the aerobatics that a sport flyer like me would want. With PNPs and RTFs you are agreeing to go with the installed hardware and engines, unless you choose to switch something out. They won`t teach you much about building, but PNP and RTF is a boon to pilots who don`t have time, space, equipment or a desire to build and just want to fly.

For you more experienced fliers what do you think of the cost difference between an ARF/RTF/PNP vs kit building. It looks like the one compromise is accepting the choice of bits and pieces supplied.

Yup. It's like anything - take what's there, or pay extra if you want a baked potato instead of fries.

Comparing the RTF's versus the PNP's however, the PNP's IMHO win out.

At least with these you can use your own gear, and someone w/o a radio can purchase something more fitting to what they will do later... instead of the restrictive TX's included with the RTF's.

Anyone going to Pomona this weekend?

ARF Vs RTF/PNP really boils down to experience (pay me now or pay me later thing). Many of the RTF/PNP looks like they are better priced than an ARF would come out at. The differnce is where do you intend to be in a year or so. As you gain experience, your wants for brand specific items gets a little stronger. For instance Iv'e been flying on and off since 85. Started to compete in the last few years in lower classes of competition. I recently bought an ARF and spent about 1/2 the cost of the ARF replacing the hardware that came with it ($200+). Not because it was bad, but it wasn't to my liking or taste. I did like the plane though...[)]

If I was getting into the hobby today, I would go RTF/PNP and look around to figure out what I like in a Radio, Engine, and other stuff. The norm for the long term equipment selection is to go with what people are flying locally which varies from region to region.

Rereading your question....ARF/RTF/PNP Vs Kit. Kind of three catagories actually...An ARF is between a Kit and a RTF/PNP. For me building a kit is a bit more costly than the others. However, the pride and hardwork you put into building is priceless when you start flying it. If it should meet demise early, the pain of the loss is a bit more to shoulder. I always like building kits, but they are time consuming and I'm a perfectionist. This also makes it tough picking out ARF's

Good Luck...

LLD

well you need to be careful , in the ARf vs RTF we are also all assuming your purchasing from Horizon (a great company ) howvere there are a ton of knocks on ebay of trainers all the way to to he ducted fans jets . THe radios , the engines and the batterys are toys . Advoid them at all cost because you will spend your time upgrading if its even possible .
Hobby Lobby is another good source of RTF but ask them questions about the plane your interested in and if there video is stock or modified .Many time they will shoot video with a modified with hop ups , so make no assumtions