We used mammal leather and bone for the construction. And ground towed behind a fast moving Mammoth. Jezz I'm not that old...

Gliders should be a mandatory first step and you shouldn't be allowed a training (nose) wheel until after you've mastered a tail wheel. IMHO. I also firmly believe that until you can navigate with a map and a compass and nothing more you should never be allowed to turn on a GPS.

But nobody died and made me the flight training king so it's all good.