So I scratch built my first carrier plane, a .15, about two years ago. I've struggled with airframe and engine trim, swapped engines, built a second "experimental" plane around a third engine. The experiment was a flop, that thing wouldn't hang to save my life. I've studied and come to understand tank venting, I think. I work full time and have a family so I struggle to find time to practice. Even if I did have time for practice I fly against Burt and Eric at every contest and probably won't out score them. I've flown in three contest in the last two years and had some great beginners luck at the first one. I managed to not finish on the bottom of the top twenty, close but not the bottom. I have a great time tinkering with the equipment. It's been very frustrating at times but mostly it's been a great deal of fun. There was a photo of my plane in the carrier section of Model Aviation, that was really cool. My main goal is to beat my own best score and have some fun along the way. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if someone refuses to fly carrier because they can't go home with a trophy every time that may well be an attitude problem all the skill classes in the world can't fix.
Jim