A unique opportunity to fly in a 1930s design WACO YMF-5 biplane awaits tourists and residents of Southwest Florida. Suncoast Biplanes operates their YMF-5C Super, nicknamed “Gracie,” flying guests over local towns and waterways. Gracie was actually built in 2000 and gives Suncoast’s customers the experience of flying at less than 1,000 feet in an open cockpit.
Waco YMF-5 Biplane was Originally Built in 1932
The Weaver Aircraft Company began manufacturing and testing aircraft in 1919. They built them by hand, which continues to this day. The YMF-5 launched in 1932, with production continuing on the type until 1947. Following WWII, the company lost business and closed down.
In 1986, the Classic Aircraft Company in Lansing, Michigan, resumed production of the YMF-5 aircraft. At that time, a number of these planes were still in operation. Although some original YMF-5s remained airworthy, the company opted to manufacture new ones. They utilized the original 1935 type certificate and obtained FAA approval to restart production.
Each Waco YMF-5 is Handmade, Requiring Over 6,000 Labor Hours
The company, now known as WACO Aircraft Corporation, currently produces 15 YMF-5 biplanes annually. Each aircraft is entirely handmade and requires 6,000 labor hours and 5,000 parts to build. These are new aircraft built to the original specifications but with some key improvements.
While using the original design, the newer YMF-5s included more than 300 engineering changes, redesigns to over 1400 drawings, and the development of new tooling for production. Perhaps the most significant modification was to replace the original mild steel tubing in the fuselage frame with high-strength 4130 steel. This lighter steel receives an internal corrosion-resistant treatment and external epoxy coating.
Polyester Skin Material Replaces Cotton and Linen
Another key modification was to replace the original cotton or linen fabric covering on the wings with a modern polyester material called Ceconite. This material is stronger, more durable, and easier to work with.
Sitka Spruce Still Used for Internal Wing Spars
One thing that didn’t change was the material for the wing spars. Waco uses Sitka spruce, the same wood used in the original YMF-5s and other aircraft in the 1930s. It is both light and strong. It also has a clear, straight grain and is resistant to rotting. The wing ribs are wood truss structures with gussets, glue, and staples fastening the components.
The YMF-5 is a two-seat aircraft, with the pilot in the rear cockpit. With a small tailwheel and two landing gear forward, it is impossible for the pilot to see forward while taxiing in a straight line. Therefore, they have to taxi in a broad S pattern which lets the pilot see forward along the left and right of the fuselage.
Dr. Gareth Williams is the primary pilot and owner of Suncoast Biplanes. He and his wife, Joy, opened the business in June 2024. Gracie is a 2000 model, which they purchased from an owner in northern Florida. As the aircraft was still relatively new and in good condition, Williams only made one major modification–replacing the engine. The original YMF-5s had Jacobs R775 seven-cylinder radial engines rated at 225 hp. Versions of these engines appeared in other aircraft from the 1930s until 1959 when Jacobs stopped making them.
2000-Built “Gracie”: A Handcrafted Revival of the Original YMF-5
The modern iteration of the WACO YMF-5 biplane offers two variants of the Jacobs R755 radial engine. Gracie, a meticulously restored example, is equipped with a refurbished R755 B2-M featuring a carburetor. New production aircraft from WACO, however, incorporate a fuel-injected version of the same powerplant.
Williams sourced his overhauled 7-cylinder Jacobs R755 from Air Repair, a respected radial engine specialist based in Cleveland, Mississippi. Installation was completed by a technician at Suncoast Biplanes’ facility at Punta Gorda Airport. Producing 275 horsepower, the engine delivers a climb rate of 770 feet per minute and a cruising speed of 110 mph.
The YMF-5’s biplane configuration enhances lift, enabling Gracie to maintain controlled flight at speeds as low as 85 mph. During passenger flights, Williams typically operates between 500 and 1,000 feet.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Williams began flying at 17 with the Air Training Corps (ATC), logging his first flight in a glider. Now a certified flight instructor with experience across numerous aircraft types, he bought his first biplane–a 1942 Stearman–in 2010.
Gareth Williams Launched a Nonprofit Operating Flights for Grieving Families
In 2013, after a career in management consulting within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, Williams transitioned to aviation full-time. The following year, he established Fly Hope Dream, a non-profit providing flights for families of children with life-threatening illnesses, those mourning a child’s loss, and survivors of natural disasters. His cross-country missions stretched from Pennsylvania to California.
Suncoast Biplanes Offers Tour Packages in Southwest Florida
Suncoast Biplanes operates out of Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) in Southwest Florida, where Williams is joined by pilot and A&P mechanic John Manchester, who oversees much of Gracie’s maintenance. The outfit offers year-round flights along the coastal regions near Punta Gorda, with tour options extending up to 90 minutes and showcasing harbors and beaches.
Gracie accommodates two passengers, having carried adventure-seekers from 6 to 86. Williams also provides an aerobatic experience, guiding Gracie through loops, rolls, and hammerhead maneuvers.
On Tuesday, 18 March 2025, I arrived at 1430 local time for a flight with Suncoast Biplanes. Williams and his wife, Joy, gave me a very friendly greeting and talked with me about their YMF-5 and their business. Following a safety briefing, we headed to the ramp, where Gracie’s beautiful white and red livery distinguished her from the muted tones of neighboring aircraft.
Williams took me through a detailed preflight inspection, emphasizing aspects unique to a classic biplane. He checked the tension on the struts and wires connecting the wings and the movement of the flight controls.
Wooden Dowels Reduce Vibration on Wing Support Wires
A notable design feature of the YMF-5 biplane is its use of wire stays to reduce vibration. These are wooden dowels notched to secure flying and landing wires, reducing vibration and wire fatigue.
The inspection extended to the airframe to check for damage on the wing and fuselage skins, tire wear, or oil leaks. Opting to top off the fuel, Williams summoned a truck, climbed atop the wing, and filled the tanks via overwing caps. Once the tanks were full, we climbed into Gracie and strapped into the seat and shoulder belts.
Jacobs R755-B2M Engine Provides Plenty of Power
With Williams in the rear cockpit, I was unable to see him. So, communication relied on headsets. He started the engine. The Jacobs R755 roared to life, and after a brief warm-up, we taxied to the runway. With a smooth application of power, Gracie accelerated briskly, lifting off after a short roll. Sitting just behind the rumbling radial engine was much different than being inside a pressurized jet.
Fun Flying Over the Coastline at 500 feet in an Open Cockpit
We banked west over Punta Gorda and the northern end of Charlotte Harbor. Cruising at 100 mph and 1,000 feet, the water’s details were vivid. Descending to 500 feet along Boca Grande’s coastline, we had a very close view of the sprawling homes and resorts along the beaches.
The route continued south to Pine Island, then east across Charlotte Harbor, before returning north to the airport. The landing was seamless, the open cockpit amplifying the rush of air as we decelerated.
As it was the day’s final flight, Williams taxied Gracie back to the Suncoast hangar and we called it a day.
For more information on Suncoast Biplanes, check out suncoastbiplanes.com.
