Great Lakes Update

Battle Creek, Mi   September 29, 2011 – WACO Classic Aircraft, the certified manufacturer of the worlds most desirable sport biplanes, announced today that it has officially received the Type Certificate for the Great Lakes 2T-1A series of aircraft.  Now, with the TC in hand, WACO Classic is able to better work with the FAA to return the Great Lakes to the air.   

Great Lakes Project Update

Engineering – most of the updates planned have completed engineering and are pending approval.  This includes;

• Updates to the frame structure and ergonomic updates.
• Provisions for new yet to be announced Garmin avionics and radios.
• Investigation and engineering related to the new Lycoming  AEIO-390, 210 HP engine.

Production

•  Fabrication of the first frame has started, with completion expected by the end of October.
• We expect our first test engine from Lycoming late this year with flight tests starting in late January and continuing through early March, 2012.
• The first customer airplane will be started in December, with subsequent starts every 4 weeks.
• Numerous vendors are producing component parts.

 Staffing

• Classic Aircraft has started hiring additional technicians in preparation for production assembly start.

  Training

• Classic Aircraft, in partnership with Chandler Air Services (Aerobatics.com), has developed a special transition training program for Great Lakes customers.