Development

The Waco A series was introduced in 1932 as an affordable private-owner aircraft with cross-country range and baggage capacity and a more sporting image than the larger Waco F series. The A series offered a number of engine options which had varying sub-designations. The power range lay between the KBA with a 100 hp (75 kW) Kinner engine and the later UBA with a 210 hp (157 kW) Continental powerplant.^[1]

The PLA "Sportsman" of 1933 introduced a longer wider fuselage and a higher useful load and had a 170 hp (127 kW) Jacobs LA-1 radial engine. The last model in the series was the ULA, also of 1933, with a 210 hp (157 kW) powerplant.^[2]

Operational history

The A series was bought mainly by private pilot owners with a sporting inclination. Relatively few were produced and the type survives in small numbers in 2009. A PBA is on display in the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum at Dauster Field near St Louis, Missouri.

Variants

Data from Aerofiles^[3]

Specifications (RBA variant)

Data from Green, 1965, p. 306

General characteristics

Crew: one
Capacity: one passenger
Length: 21 ft 0 in (6.4 m)
Wingspan: 29 ft 6 in (8.84 m)
Height: 8 ft 8 in (2.44 m)
Empty weight: 1,250 lb ( kg)
Gross weight: 1,949 lb ( kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Warner Scarab, 125 hp ( kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 104 mph ( km/h)
Cruise speed: 91 mph ( km/h)
Range: 400 miles ( km)
Service ceiling: 12,800 ft ( m)
Rate of climb: 500 ft/min ( m/s)