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WACO Classic Aircraft

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WACO Classic Aircraft
TypePrivately held company
IndustryGeneral Aviation
Founded1983
Defunct2026
HeadquartersBattle Creek, Michigan
Key peoplePeter F. Bowers (President)
ProductsWACO Classic YMF & Great Lakes Model 2T-1A-1/2
Number of employees
37
ParentDimor Group Inc
Websitewww.wacoaircraft.com
WACO Classic YMF-5C biplane, built in 2000
WACO YMF-5C Super at Jandakot, Perth, Australia (2014)

The WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation was an American aircraft manufacturer, located in Battle Creek, Michigan. It was founded in 1983 as the Classic Aircraft Corporation and was later called the WACO Aircraft Corporation.[1][2][3]

WACO Classic Aircraft built, in relatively small numbers, a three-seat biplane, the WACO Classic YMF, based upon the original manufacturing plans which were filed by the Waco Aircraft Company with the Library of Congress and thus available.[4][failed verification] WACO Classic Aircraft also built the WACO Great Lakes Aircraft, an open cockpit aerobatic biplane. The aircraft were constructed at the W. K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, Michigan. The company also repaired original "classic" WACOs and vintage aircraft.

While the aircraft it built was a longstanding design, WACO Classic Aircraft had upgraded many systems, such as the brakes, to newer and safer technology. They were built with much of the original hand construction methods and are sought after as a classical open-cockpit aircraft, but with modern digital electronics.[5] Waco Classic only offered one of several models of original Wacos that were built. Over 100 new YMF-5C aircraft had been completed by 2007.

History

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In June 2009, the company announced the improved YMF-5D version, powered by a Jacobs R-755-A2 300 hp (224 kW) engine. The type was to be type certified in October 2009 and features a new MT-Propeller, a deluxe leather interior, new lightweight carbon fiber wheel pants and fairings, an upgraded avionics package and a cup holder.[6]

In January 2011, the company announced that it would put the Great Lakes Model 2T-1A-1/2 biplane back into production. The aircraft had not been available since 1980. The aircraft incorporates several changes including a larger cockpit and advanced avionics. It is equipped with the Lycoming AEIO-360-B1F6 engine.[7] In May 2012, the company announced that the first production Great Lakes was being constructed and it was completed in June 2013.[8][9]

In March 2017, the company announced it was planning to test amphibious floats on the YMF-5.[10]

In November 2018, the company was acquired by the Florida-based Dimor Group Inc.[11] Dimor announced in February 2025 that it would be spending $12 million to expand the Battle Creek campus to build Junkers A50 airplanes there.[12]

The company abruptly ceased operations in late April 2026.[13]

Aircraft

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Model name First flight Number built Type
Great Lakes Sport Trainer 20[a][14] Single engine open cockpit biplane trainer
WACO Classic YMF 1985[15] Single engine open cockpit biplane trainer

References

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Footnotes

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  1. ↑ By 2022.

Notes

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  1. ↑ WACO Aircraft Corporation (2020). "WACO Aircraft Corp". www.wacoaircraft.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. ↑ "About - WACO Aircraft Corporation". Wacoaircraft.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  3. ↑ "EAA News - Waco Classic Resurrects Great Lakes Aerobatic Biplane". Eaa.org. January 20, 2011. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  4. ↑ Miller, J. Jefferson (March 1987). "Revival of the Fittest: Waco YMF-5" (PDF). AOPA Pilot. pp. 38–45. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  5. ↑ Hirschman, Dave (June 2010). "Wonderful Wacos". Retrieved June 24, 2010.
  6. ↑ Grady, Mary (June 2009). "Waco Updates Its Classic Biplane". Archived from the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
  7. ↑ Grady, Mary (January 2011). "Waco Revives Great Lakes Biplane". AvWeb. Archived from the original on January 23, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  8. ↑ WACO Classic Aircraft (November 14, 2012). "WACO Aircraft Blog". Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  9. ↑ Grady, Mary (June 11, 2013). "Waco Great Lakes Production Underway". AvWeb. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  10. ↑ Moore, Jim (March 23, 2017). "Waco Adds Floats". AOPA. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  11. ↑ O'Connor, Kate (November 13, 2018). "WACO Gets New Owner". AVweb. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  12. ↑ Shepard, Liz (February 20, 2025). "Battle Creek Airport Site Plans Expansion for New $12M Aircraft Factory". Battle Creek Enquirer. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  13. ↑ Niles, Russ (April 29, 2026). "Waco Aircraft Ceases Operations". AvBrief.com. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  14. ↑ Simpson, Rod; Longley, Pete; Swan, Robert (2022). The General Aviation Handbook: A Guide to Millennial General Aviation Manufacturers and Their Aircraft. Tonbridge, UK: Air Britain (Trading) Limited. ISBN 978-0-85130-562-2.
  15. ↑ Garvey, William (October 1993). "Return of the Waco". Popular Mechanics. pp. 54–55. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
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