Waco YKS-7
EAA’s 1937 Waco YKS-7 biplane (NC17716) is a classic example of the airplanes that introduced General Aviation to the corporate world. As the Golden Age of Aviation matured in the 30’s, business customers were not satisfied with the open cockpits of earlier designs. With its enclosed, spacious cockpit, the Waco YKS-7 combined speed, comfort, and the amenities of luxury automobiles for a 1937 price under $6,000.
Waco (pronounced WAH-ko, rhyming with “taco”) is an acronym for the Weaver Aircraft Company, which was located in Troy, Ohio. Waco aircraft were built from 1919 through 1946 and were widely regarded as premium, well-designed, excellent performing aircraft. The peak of Waco production was in the late 20’s, when it was the world’s major aircraft producer. Although the company reorganized and changed names several times, Waco aircraft stayed in production through the Great Depression of 1929 and the 30’s. Thousands of Waco UPF-7 primary trainers and gliders were manufactured during World War II.
The Waco YKS-7 is a fully enclosed cabin biplane, configured with two front seats and a rear, bench seat for three more passengers. Its original engine was a 7-cylinder, 225 hp. Jacobs L-4 radial engine (models with a 275 hp. Jacobs L-5 engines were designated as ZKS-7). Its cruise speed was about 130 mph, with a range over 500 miles. Compared to automobile travel in 1937, the Waco YKS-7 seemed like a rocket ship.
Waco YKS-7 models were considered utility aircraft, suitable for a wide variety of tasks, including cargo hauling, charter travel, air ambulance, and even seaplane operation. Their most popular business use, however, was for executive transportation. Several features of the YKS-7 helped make business travelers comfortable. To match luxury automobiles of the day, the YKS-7 was designed with a steering wheel, roll-down side windows and automotive style upholstery. Standard equipment included an electric engine starter, mechanical wheel brakes, a parking brake, a throw-over control wheel, adjustable front seats, navigation lights, a dome light, ash trays, a fire extinguisher bottle, a tool kit, and a first aid kit. The base price in 1937 was $5,695 at the factory.
EAA’s Waco YKS-7 is serial number 4623 and still bears its original registration number, NC17716. It is on active flying status at Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, providing flight experiences to EAA’s AirVenture Museum visitors. While retaining the authentic look and feel of the original 1937 aircraft, several safety and performance improvements have been made to the plane. These include a more powerful Jacobs engine, a Hamilton Standard constant-speed propeller, toe-actuated Cleveland brakes, strobe lights, a steerable tailwheel and a modern aircraft radio. When NC17716 takes off from the grass runway at Pioneer Airport, museum visitors directly experience the sights and sounds of a genuine Golden Age aircraft.
This aircraft was researched by EAA volunteer, Fred Stadler
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