I have a line on a mid 70s 7ECA with the o320 upgrade. Want to use for fun low n slow, getting into 1000ft grass, maybe some light aerobatics. Maybe train my son? Can't do primary in a bonanza.

Got fairly new fabric, engine, metal spar.

Any gotchas to know? Who's owned one? Will I fit? Can I rent for tail endorsements? Will any DPE do a ppl checkout in one? Also has floats, but dunno if that matters.

Chime in.

A Citabria is a really fun airplane. It is a blast to fly. I had a 7GCAA for 11 years before I sold it to a friend last fall. All I can think about is getting another one. If the fabric is good and the metal tube structure isn't rusty there isn't much else to worry about. Especially with a metal spar one.

Buy it, fly it and grin a lot.

My first airplane was a 7KCAB and I currently have a 7GCAA. They are awesome all-around airplanes that are a LOT of fun and good bang for the buck in both acquisition and operation costs.

I had one. They're great. Super fun and fairly docile as far as tail draggers go. took awhile but eventually felt like I had the thing well tamed even in stiff cross winds.

Fun, forgiving & simple.
Great primary trainer.
Read Plourde's Compleat Taildragger Pilot, understand it all & give it to your son.

If it's been on floats, rear end & tail feather tubing corrosion is a real concern.
Even the stringers & formers need close inspection.

Spring gear attach bolts should be upgraded and the tubing cluster there thoroughly inspected for cracked welds.

If Scott 2000 tailwheel shimmies, it's all about geometry.
Replace, or re-arc the spring & don't over grease it.

Make sure paperwork for upgrades is in order.
Getting much harder to correct in retrospect with FSDOs.

My 1979 GCBC with only 1,500 TTAF had some serious issues when we re-built it after Mother Nature flipped it OVER the dock (did us a favor in hindsight).