A year and a half after Waco announced its intent to reproduce the Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, the Battle Creek, Michigan, company has rolled out the first production version of the fully aerobatic biplane. The first test flight was completed over the weekend, and Peter Bowers, president of Waco, said the “aircraft was perfect,” with the exception of a faulty alternator.
The first production Great Lakes sports a new “Great Lakes by Waco” logo and a wavy yellow and black paint scheme — the result of a design contest in which Great Lakes enthusiasts voted for their favorites. The winning design was created by Barny Dykstra.
Three customer airplanes are currently in production. Waco hopes to deliver the first Great Lakes in the next three months and plans to produce one airplane per month after the initial delivery.
Waco acquired the Great Lakes type certificate in September 2011. With a metal frame and aluminum sidewalls, its design and construction process is similar to Waco’s larger YMF-5D. The Great Lakes is powered by a 180 hp Lycoming AEIO-360 engine with inverted oil and fuel systems and can withstand +5.4 and -4.0 G.
The base price for the Great Lakes is $245,250.
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