Aeronca 7AC, and Cessna 120. The Aeronca was cloth covered, tandem, stick. The Cessna was metal, had an electrical system and a radio. $7 an hour wet, $11 with instructor.

I flew off of a grass strip, occasionally shot touch-and-go's at Portland International, but the tail never came down. The first time I landed on an asphalt strip in the 120 and the tail came down, that trumpet funnel of a fuselage produced a roar like a lion running from a tsunami. I was terrified, certain that some tragedy beyond my imagination had befallen me. I hit the brakes hoping to get out and the noise subsided as fast as it had started. Those little things were fun to dink around in, though the 7AC had to be started by hand. I'd forgotten about that.