ARF vs KIT
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Trimming Your Plane
ARFs Kits


FORUM CONTENTS

Up
Adhesives
Alternative Materials
ARF vs KIT
Covering
Cutting Surfaces
Fuel Soaked Wood
Glass Landing Gear
Push Rods
Redundacy
Thrust
Vibration
Pros
bullet

Fairly Easy to Assemble

bullet

Reasonably Priced

 Cons
bulletMass production errors
bulletPros

Builder can assure quality of work
bulletBuilder preference and features can be applied
 Cons
bulletTime consuming

Authored by Troy Stotts 2005

ARFs  
     There are many reasons for choosing either ARFs (almost ready to fly) building a kit or to scratch build your own design.
     ARFs have drastically improved over the last few years.  They are jig built' easy to assemble straight and true and most importantly they are proven flyers.  There are many designs to choose from to suit every level of pilot and style of flying.
     Don't be to fooled by the term almost ready to fly though.  The plane will require some assembly including installation of the motor, electronics and the control systems.  How long it takes depends on the builders experience and how much care is put into the assembly.  I have in the past assembled ARFs overnight and flown the next day but I don't recommend it.  I normally put in about 20 hours on the average for 40 or 60 size ARFs.

KITS
     Kits (aka boxes of sticks) are getting harder to find but sought after by dedicated builders.  The kit will contain all the wood needed to build it as well as full plans.  A builder can modify and use all the neat building tricks he has picked up over the years or stick with the plans.  His/her preferences.  Care can be taken to assure quality fits and proper gluing techniques.  A good example of kit building can be seen in the projects forum under Jon's Astro where Jon and Troy kit build a 60 size Astro Hog Kit using some of their own techniques and preferences and power it with a converted weed eater engine.