You might as well scratch anything with a tailwheel off the list. If,
and that's a BIG IF, you could actually find an insurance company
willing to insure a tailweel plane for a student solo, you'd be paying
through the nose for it.

I'll second the "older 172" vote. Here's why:

1. Cheap to buy
2. Cheap to insure (although you'll be paying a premium for anything
with student pilots on the insurance)
3. Doesn't need a hanger
4. Cheap to pay taxes on
5. Called the "land-o-matic" for a good reason
6. Difficult to spin (a C150 spins easily)
7. Cheap to fuel - runs on mo-gas as well as 100ll
8. Easy to jump start (12v jumps off your car or Farmer Joe's tractor)
9. Versitile enough to let your kids hang on to it and grow into it.
They can pack camping gear and enjoy some fun trips. Or you the three
of you can go for a hop together.
10. Easy to get parts for
11. Easy to work on

The 50's 172 are great VFR trainers. The mid to late 60's planes can
also do IFR training if you are looking towards that.

Helen