29 April 2026
BREAKING NEWS FLYER has heard that Waco Aircraft Corporation, makers of the iconic 1930s style Waco YMF-5 biplane, has stopped operations and fired most of its workforce.
The news broke this afternoon on AvBrief.com. Staff left work on Tuesday afternoon but received an email shortly afterwards saying don’t report for work tomorrow.
According to AvBrief, a sign on the door confirmed the bad news. An update is expected on Friday.
Dimor Group invested heavily at Waco’s HQ in Battle Creek, Michigan
Waco attended the recent Sun ‘n Fun event in Florida and there was no indication of any financial issues.
As well as the YMF-5, Waco also offered the Great Lakes aerobatic biplane, and was building a factory to make and distribute the Junkers A50 light sport aircraft. Dimor Group owns all three brands and had heavily invested in Waco’s Battle Creek location in Michigan.
So far, we’ve had no confirmation from Dimor Group about Waco’s future – or that of Junkers, although the A50 and A60 aircraft were on display at the recent AERO Friedrichshafen show.
