WACO Aircraft

Name

WACO Aircraft

Legal name

WACO Aircraft Corporation

Website

https://wacoaircraft.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WACO Aircraft Corporation is a privately held, handcrafted aircraft manufacturer in Battle Creek, Michigan, producing FAA-certified open-cockpit biplanes and light sport aircraft (YMF-5, Great Lakes, Junkers A50 Junior) for affluent aviation enthusiasts, vintage collectors, and commercial flight operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civilian Aircraft Manufacturing

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Training & Light Sport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAE)

Keywords

• Handcrafted biplanes
• Open-cockpit aircraft
• Vintage aircraft manufacturing
• General aviation aircraft
• Light sport aircraft

Headquarters

HQ city

Battle Creek

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. New Aircraft Sales: Primary revenue stream from handcrafted aircraft. YMF-5 priced at $590,000 for new models, Great Lakes from $225,000-$450,000, and Junkers A50 Junior from $215,000. Custom-built aircraft are configured to buyer specifications for sport flying, flightseeing, or commercial use.
2. Pre-owned/Demonstration Aircraft Sales: Secondary market for certified pre-owned and demonstration aircraft including YMF-5 models (e.g., N275WA at 6 hours total time, N120WC at 307.4 hours) and Great Lakes variants.
3. Maintenance and Service: FAA Part 145 Repair Station services through Centennial Aircraft Services including MRO, avionics, and aircraft restoration. Services include maintenance inspections, modifications, overhaul, painting, fabric repair, and engine work.
4. Certified Parts Sales: Genuine WACO YMF-5 and Great Lakes parts direct from factory covering engine, airframe, and accessories. Includes Jacobs engine parts, instruments, electrical components, fuselage, landing gear, wheels, tail, wings, and WACO manuals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

WACO Aircraft Corporation manufactures handcrafted, FAA-certified open-cockpit biplanes and light sport aircraft based on 1920s-1930s Golden Age aviation designs. Its product line includes the three-seat WACO YMF-5, the two-seat Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 aerobatic biplane, and the Junkers A50 Junior single-wing sports aircraft. The company also sells certified replacement parts and provides FAA Part 145 maintenance, avionics, and restoration services through its subsidiary Centennial Aircraft Services.

Product overview

WACO Aircraft Corporation manufactures handcrafted, open-cockpit aircraft inspired by 1920s-1930s Golden Age designs, combining heritage craftsmanship with modern technology and safety standards. The product portfolio consists of three core aircraft: the WACO YMF-5 (a three-seat biplane with Jacobs radial engine), the Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 (a two-seat aerobatic biplane with Lycoming engine), and the Junkers A50 Junior (a German-designed single-wing light sport aircraft). The company also produces the Junkers F 13 through its Junkers Aircraft brand. All aircraft are hand-built at the Battle Creek, Michigan factory. Supporting offerings include certified replacement parts for YMF-5 and Great Lakes models, and Centennial Aircraft Services providing FAA-certified maintenance, avionics, and restoration services. The company operates under parent company Dimor Group, which acquired WACO Aircraft in 2018.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Great Lakes: Aerobatic two-seater biplane aircraft produced under the original 1929 type certificate, combining classic design with modern functionality.
• Junkers Aircraft

Products and services

• WACO YMF-5 Three-seat modern biplane with staggered wings, dual open cockpits, Jacobs radial engine (300 HP), corrosion-resistant welded steel-tube airframe, all-weather fabric skin, and optional glass cockpit avionics. Priced from $340,000 to $590,000 depending on condition and configuration.
• Great Lakes by WACO 2T-1A-2 Aerobatic two-seat biplane with Lycoming AEIO-360 engine (180 HP), supporting +5.4/-4.0 G limits and inverted flight. Over 4,000 labor hours of handcrafting per aircraft. Features JPI EDM 930, Garmin G5, and ADS-B In/Out avionics. Priced from $225,000 to $450,000 depending on year and condition.
• Junkers A50 Junior German-designed single-wing open cockpit light sport aircraft reimagined from the world's first all-metal sport aircraft. Features metal skin, classic silhouette, Rotax 912iS engine (100 HP), and modern Garmin G3X Touch avionics. Listed at $215,000.
• Junkers F 13 All-metal aircraft produced by Junkers Aircraft brand under Dimor Group, part of the revival of historic German aircraft designs.
• Aircraft for Sale (Pre-owned and Demonstration) Pre-owned and demonstration aircraft inventory including YMF-5, Great Lakes, and Junkers A50 models. Also offers custom-built new aircraft orders through direct contact with sales team.
• Factory-Direct Certified Parts Genuine WACO YMF-5 and Great Lakes replacement parts direct from factory covering engine, airframe, and accessories. Includes Jacobs engine parts, instruments, electrical components, fuselage, landing gear, wheels, tail, wings, and WACO manuals.
• Centennial Aircraft Services FAA Part 145 Repair Station located inside WACO Aircraft factory providing MRO, avionics installation and repair, aircraft restoration, inspections, modifications, overhaul, painting, fabric repair, and engine work for WACO and Junkers aircraft.

Quantifiable outcome

• WACO aircraft accounted for over 40% of small aircraft sales in the U.S. during 1927
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centennial Aircraft ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAA Part 145 Repair Station operating inside WACO Aircraft factory in Battle Creek, Michigan. Preferred service partner providing full avionics, maintenance, and restoration services for WACO and Junkers aircraft. Technicians have direct access to WACO craftsmen, tools, and resources. Services include MRO, avionics installation and repair, aircraft restoration, and engine work.
• National Waco ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation club dedicated to WACO aircraft owners and enthusiasts. Hosts annual reunion events (67th reunion June 2026 in Mt. Vernon, OH). WACO supports club through parts, service information, and community engagement.
• American Waco ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrganization supporting WACO aircraft owners and enthusiasts. Partner in WACO's aviation community ecosystem.
• EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor aviation organization with WACO as an active participant. EAA supports vintage aircraft community and hosts major aviation events including AirVenture.
• AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading advocacy organization for aircraft owners and pilots. WACO maintains partnership to support pilot community and promote general aviation.
• WACO MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMuseum in Troy, Ohio dedicated to preserving WACO aircraft heritage. Hosts annual WACO Museum Fly-In event and serves as brand ambassador for WACO heritage.
• Air ZoominorGTM or Marketing PartnerAviation museum in Battle Creek, Michigan. Located near WACO headquarters, supporting regional aviation community.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CubCrafters: Handcrafted general aviation aircraft manufacturer (Carbon Cub series) serving sport/recreational pilots at premium price points. Closely comparable to WACO's niche of small-batch, hand-built enthusiast aircraft sold direct to affluent private buyers.
• Zenith Aircraft: Specialty aircraft manufacturer offering kit-built and SLSA models popular among sport pilots and homebuilders. Comparable niche of enthusiast-driven, craftsmanship-focused light/sport aircraft sold outside the mainstream OEM channel.
• American Legend Aircraft: Manufacturer of vintage-inspired aircraft (Super Legend, Legend Cub) under type certificates, similar to WACO's strategy of producing newly certified replicas inspired by classic designs for the sport/recreational market.
• Icon Aircraft: Light sport aircraft maker (Icon A5) sold direct to affluent recreational pilots emphasizing design, lifestyle, and experiential marketing. Comparable to WACO in targeting high-net-worth buyers seeking distinctive, lifestyle-oriented aircraft rather than utilitarian transportation.

Broad incumbents

• Cirrus Aircraft: Leading general aviation OEM (SR20/SR22) serving private owner-flown market with premium, technically advanced piston aircraft. Comparable end-customer (high-net-worth private pilots) but mass-production rather than handcrafted niche.
• Diamond Aircraft: Composite general aviation aircraft maker (DA20, DA40, DA42) serving flight schools, private owners, and special missions. Comparable ownership/operator customer profile but with modern composite construction rather than vintage craftsmanship.
• Piper Aircraft: Established general aviation OEM producing a broad line of single-engine and twin aircraft for personal, training, and utility use. Overlaps in serving private owner-flown market but operates at vastly higher volume and broader price points.
• Textron Aviation (Cessna/Beechcraft): Major general aviation conglomerate producing Cessna and Beechcraft piston and turboprop aircraft. Competes broadly for the private pilot and owner-flown market but serves volume segments rather than WACO's handcrafted-vintage niche.

Emerging players

• Just Aircraft: Light sport and experimental aircraft maker (Highlander, SuperSTOL) targeting backcountry and sport pilots with affordable kit/specialty aircraft. Partial overlap with WACO's recreational pilot customer base at lower price points.

Others

• Stinson Aircraft (vintage restoration community): While not a direct commercial peer, the Stinson Flyers and broader vintage aircraft restoration community represent the restoration-side substitute for WACO's new-built offerings — owners restoring original Golden Age airframes in lieu of buying new certified aircraft.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/wacoaircraft
• Xx.com/wacoaircraft
• Facebookfacebook.com/WACOAircraft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WACO Aircraft