I am a BMFA approved instructor who learned to fly on a Junior 60, a 1946 British free flight design, two wheeled undercarriage. Lots of people converted free flight designs in the 60's and 70's in order to learn to fly and they are still popular today as "Vintage" models.

Many years ago I was the last man on the site and was packing up my gear when a young man turned up with a trainer with a tricycle undercarriage. He had never flown a model before and asked me whether I would fly it for him, just so he could see it in the air. Having taken off and trimmed it out I said, "This reminds me of the first time I took off with a trike undercarriage." He replied, " Oh yes, when was that?" To which I said, "Just then when I took off with your model!"

I give all of my beginners a long flight on the buddy box on a seven-foot Radio Queen until they get the hang of it, they can learn to taxi and take off later! The RQ doesn't even have alerons!

I suppose tricycle landing gear is easier to steer and will prevent a nose over but I try to spend as little time on the ground as possible so I don't think it makes much difference.

As for the auto/manual transmission debate, I deliver Jaguar cars for a living, it's a tough job etc...Most of them are automatics and the resale price of a manual is much lower, however, having driven the whole range, I much prefer a stick, you have so much more direct control over the vehicle, however, not for the first time, I find myself in a minority of one.

As for suitable tail dragger trainer, I feel a bias coming on, come on you Americans, what's wrong with a Telemaster?

DD