Waco Aircraft Company Waco Classic

Single Piston

The WACO Aircraft Company revived one of aviation's most storied names in 1983, bringing back the open-cockpit biplane experience for a new generation of pilots. While the original WACO company built thousands of biplanes during the Golden Age of aviation in the 1920s and 1930s, the modern WACO Classic series—including the YMF, YMF-5, and YMF-F5C—faithfully recreates that barnstorming heritage with contemporary materials and powerplants. These handcrafted aircraft feature traditional fabric-covered steel tube fuselages, wooden wing spars, and radial engines (typically the Jacobs R-755 or Continental R-670), delivering an authentic vintage flying experience with modern reliability and safety standards. The WACO Classic is purpose-built for recreational flying, aerobatics, and flight training in the tailwheel tradition. With tandem open cockpits, pilots and passengers experience unobstructed views and the visceral sensation of wind and engine that defined early aviation. The aircraft's docile handling characteristics, robust construction, and relatively forgiving stall behavior make it popular among warbird enthusiasts and aerobatic pilots, though its 135-knot cruise speed and limited payload reflect its focus on the flying experience rather than transportation efficiency. Each aircraft is essentially custom-built to order at WACO's Battle Creek, Michigan facility, with buyers selecting engine options, instrumentation, and finish details. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.