Dave,

Thanks for the reply. A citabria is definitely on my short list. I did 80%
of my training for private pilot in a 7ECA. About 15% of my training was in
a KCAB, and about 5% in a KCAB. The 7ECA had sweet controls and was super
light on the stick. The KCAB didn't feel as balanced but I loved the extra
power. The KCAB was very nice but the rudder on this plane just wasn't
right so I stopped flying it. (others complained as well)

My first flight instructor and now long time friend is a former naval
aviator. He would probably not have an issue IFR training in a Citabria.
Although, as I have gained 35lbs since my PPL training...we would definitely
be over max gross weight. IFR training isn't a real goal right now, but I
should keep it in the back of my mind.

There is a wing spar ad that is a bit of a joke but only experienced
citabria
mechanics can do the inspection properly.

I am guessing that this is the one that had them put holes and inspection
covers all along the underneath of N5025D. I thought that I read somewhere
that the factory would put a metal spar on for a reasonable price. This
would get rid of the AD and add about 100lb useful load? It's been a long
time...

Sunshine and fabric don't get along real well. I was outside
for about 11months. My plane was recovered in 1993 and had a spotty
record as far being hangered prior to my ownership. As a result,
although the fabric is perfect, the red paint on the upper surfaces has
faded.

The citabrias that I rented seemed to fair okay out in the sunshine. These
planes never got washed so I am thinking that I could do better. My real
goal would be to find a shared hangar. I've got a friend with a Long-EZ
alone in a hangar...

Check out the citabria group on yahoo.com

WILCO.