It's funny that you mention this, because the one United pilot warned that Citabrias could
spin, and apparently don't have much power,
which Miamiair seems to allude to! Much of the aviation community nearby is into taildraggers, and a few of the rich guys have been suggesting that I learn to fly a taildragger, since they all do.
As a little kid, I loved airplanes but for whatever reason always thought that C172s weren't at all appealing. I remember when local pilots did a fly in, including with a taildragger, and I was disappointed that I ended up getting a free flight in the 172. (Spoiled, I know.)
I have been watching Dan Gryder's Youtube channel and want any training I receive in the future to really focus on safety and excellent airmanship fundies, so I'm leaning toward dragging butt.
Note: much of what happens will depend on scheduling, sadly!
ShanwickOceanic wrote:While I'd love to go back and tame the beast, and while I did love flying my first employer's Warriors around Scotland, I would pick the Citabria for sure. Tailwheel from the start and develop good habits, and proper spin training - the only Citabria time I have logged was for spins, pre-solo.
The Warrior (and I assume the Archer) is so docile in the stall that I wouldn't want that to be my impression of how it goes in real life. Didn't find the 172 to be all that much worse unless there was a runway directly underneath. (On the other hand, one of our 150s would snap two turns into a spin before you could get a swear out, given the slightest encouragement with left rudder ...always entertaining.)
I don't think there's necessarily a "right" answer, but maybe "whatever you plan on flying after, with some taildragger time at the start regardless" is close.