Probably no real 'best' answer but at the end of the day what one would consider for a training aircraft boils down to personal preferences. Only real rules I would apply is it has to have a stick and it has to have a tailwheel. For training purposes you would want a constant speed prop as it makes like so much easier and probably safer for those who are only flying for fun. Then what sort of wings do you want? For me, you cannot beat a biplane, and for style it has to be open cockpit, you have to consider the impression you want to make on the ladies when you take them for a spin. Then what sort of power, an overpowered beast like a Pitts may be an absolute delight to roll, but that big engine also makes it easier to power out of mistakes. A lower powered machine means you have to fly the manouvers properly so makes you a better aerobatic pilot.
So, for a basic trainer that fits the above and will be well thought of when competing at the lower levels, a Great Lakes is a good choice. Quite cheap too, and not too tricky to land so it's not always in the shop after some weekend warrior takes it out. Nothing wrong with other suggestions above, just another option to think about.
Last edited by slim_slag; 8th Jun 2006 at 08:48.