Kevin O'Brien wrote:
4. Many people in the kit field want to build, but my impression is that
more want to fly. Hence the popularity of "builder-assist" programs,

All good points.

One thing I'd like to add is that to a novice, kit-built is a less
intimidating first project than plans-built.

Of course, "knowing what I know now..." For example, the different
kinds of builder support available for plans-built (EAA chapters, online
groups), there is no such thing as a plans-built company getting behind
on parts delivery or going bankrupt, and finally plans-built
construction time isn't necessarily greatly increased from kit-built
(several sub-kits for popular designs are available from the major
homebuilder companies like Aircraft Spruce and Wicks).

And of course, again, these things are actually well documented on, oh,
say, this newsgroup, Ron W's book...