Waco YMF-5C: Buyer's Guide

The Waco YMF-5C is a modern-production classic biplane — a beautifully-built, radial-engine open-cockpit airplane that recreates golden-age flying with contemporary quality.

About the Waco YMF-5C

The YMF-5C is a three-seat (two front, one rear) radial-engine biplane built by Waco Classic Aircraft, cruising modestly and prized for its finish and experience. Radial-engine maintenance and airframe condition drive cost. It's a premium sport airplane; newer examples command strong prices.

Typical used price (2026): ~$200,000–$450,000. Condition, avionics, and engine time drive value within that range.

Is the Waco YMF-5C Right for You?

The Waco YMF-5C suits pilots who fly for the sheer joy of it — sport, aerobatic, or recreational flying rather than travel. It rewards stick-and-rudder skill and, for aerobatic types, dedicated training. Match it to how you actually want to fly; it's a specialist's airplane, not a family hauler.

Ownership & Operating Costs

• Fuel: varies with the engine; often modest.
• Insurance: priced on your tailwheel and, for aerobatic types, aerobatic experience.
• Maintenance: aerobatic use adds inspection attention to the airframe and engine.
• Engine reserve: budget per hour toward overhaul.

For a full framework across models, see our aircraft ownership cost guide.

What to Check When Buying

For a sport or aerobatic airplane, inspect the airframe carefully for the effects of aerobatic loads, review engine condition and complete records, and use a type-experienced shop. Confirm whether a traditional loan fits the purchase price, as many sport aircraft are modestly priced.

Financing a Waco YMF-5C

A Waco YMF-5C finances on standard piston terms, but many sport aircraft are modestly priced and can approach lenders' minimum loan amounts, where a specialty lender or alternative financing may be the right fit. Jaken Aviation is a brokerage, not a lender — we shop your loan across a national network of aviation lenders.

Frequently Asked Questions