This 2009 WACO YMF-5 Is a Time-Traveling ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2009 WACO YMF-5.

For many pilots, the dream of flight isn’t about glass cockpits or pressurized cabins. It’s about the wind in the wires and the rumble of a radial engine.

The WACO YMF-5 is the rare machine that delivers that 1930s barnstorming soul without the maintenance headaches of an 80-year-old antique.

This 2009 model is not a restoration project found in a dusty hangar. It’s a modern production aircraft, expertly crafted by the WACO Aircraft Corp. using the original type certificate but refined with modern materials and engineering. It represents a perfect merger of the old and the new, offering the safety and reliability of a contemporary build with the aesthetic purity of the golden age of aviation.

The heart of this machine is the Jacobs R-755B2M radial engine. Rated at 275 hp, this 7-cylinder powerplant provides the authentic soundtrack for every flight, pulling the biplane off the ground with authority. With 1,097 hours total time on the airframe and engine, it has been flown enough to remain healthy but retains plenty of life for its next adventure.

Visually, the aircraft is a showstopper. Finished in a classic red with bold black pinstripes, it looks fast even when sitting on the ramp. It’s the kind of airplane that draws a crowd at every fuel stop, embodying the romance of flight that inspired a generation of aviators.

The cockpit is a testament to the joy of stick-and-rudder flying. While many modern aircraft are cluttered with screens, this YMF-5 keeps it pure. The panel features the essentials—airspeed indicator, altimeter, tachometer, manifold pressure, and CHT meter—allowing the pilot to keep their eyes outside. It’s a setup designed for those who want to master the art of flying rather than managing a computer.

Whether you are looking to recreate the days of barnstorming, offer unique rides to passengers in the three-seat configuration, or simply want a plane that stands out from the sea of tricycle-gear aluminum, this WACO is a compelling option.

Listed at $340,000, this 2009 WACO YMF-5 is ready for a new home. It offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of living history, supported by the very factory that built it.

If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.

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