The Waco A series is a range of light American-built twin side-by-side seater sporting biplanes 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.
The PLA “Sportsman” of 1933 (ATC 502) introduced a longer wider fuselage and a higher useful load and had a 170 hp (127 kW) Jacobs LA-1 radial engine. With a side-by-side cockpit with sliding canopy, four were built; NC13067, NC13073, NC13401, and NC13410, priced at $4,285.
The last model in the series was the ULA, also of 1933, with a 210 hp (157 kW) engine.
Relatively few were produced and the type survives in small numbers in 2009.
The 1932 Waco BBA was powered by a 165hp Wright J-5 and featured an enclosed, side-by-side cockpit. Possibly there was only one conversion for motor installation tests since there is no record of actual production.
The 1932 Waco IBA (ATC 465) featured a two place side-by-side canopied cockpit. Priced at $4,059, three were built; NC12435, NC12446, and NC12453.
The 1932 Waco KBA (ATC 460) built was registered NX/NC12435 and sold for $3,585. Featuring a two place side-by-side canopied cockpit and became the Waco IBA with an engine upgrade.
The 1932 PBA (ATC 464) featured a side-by-side canopied cockpit and was priced at $4,285. Six were built; NC12435, NC12445, NC12448, NC12466, NC13038, and NC13054.
The 1932 RBA (ATC 466) carried two side-by-side with a canopied cockpit. Priced at $4,195, four were built; NC12435, NC12442, NC12444, and NC13401. Higher speeds were reached with rerated 125hp Warner and cowling.
The 1932 three seat Waco RCA sold for $4,195.
The 1932 TBA (ATC 474) featured a side-by-side cockpit with an optional canopy. They were available for $4,490 but none was produced. The three place open cockpit TCA was available for $4,285 but there was no actual production. The three place open cockpit UCA was a planned project (for $4,895), but produced as the UBA.
At least six 1932 Waco UBA (ATC 479) were built, priced at $4,895, with side-by-side cockpit and optional canopy.
One 1933 ULA Sportsman (ATC 511) was built, NC14300, featuring a side-by-side cockpit with sliding canopy. The price was $4,895.
Variants:
BBA
Engine: 1 × 165 hp (123 kW) Wright J-5
KBA
Engine: 1 × 100 hp (75 kW) Kinner K-5
Wingspan: 27′ 5″
Length: 21′ 11″
Max speed: 101 mph
Cruise speed: 86 mph
Stall: 40 mph
Useful load: 726 lb
Range: 380 mi
Seats: 2
1 built
IBA
Engine: 1 × 125 hp (93 kW) Kinner B-5
Wingspan: 27’5″
Length: 21’11”
Useful load: 683 lb
Max speed: 110 mph
Crise speed: 93 mph
Stall: 39 mph
Range: 450 mi
Seats: 2 side by side
Canopy optional
3 built
ICA
Engine: Kinner K-5, 125 hp (93 kW)
Wingspan: 29’6″
Length: 21’11” Useful load: 683 lb
Max speed: 114 mph
Cruise speed: 98 mph
Stall: 40 mph
Seats: 2
Price $4,095
KCA
Engine: 1 × 100 hp (75 kW) Kinner K-5
Wing span: 29’6″
Length: 21’11”
Useful load: 726 lb
Max speed: 101 mph
Cruise speed: 86 mph
Stall: 40 mph
Price: $3585
PBA
Engine: 1 × 170 hp (127 kW) Jacobs LA-1
Wingspan: 27’5″
Length: 21’2″
Useful load: 881 lb
Max speed: 120 mph
Cruise 103 mph
Stall: 42 mph
Range: 400 mi
Seats: 2
6 built
PCA
1932
Engine: 1 × 170 hp (127 kW) Jacobs LA-1
Wingspan: 29’6″
Length: 21’1″
Useful load: 881 lb
Max speed: 119 mph
Cruise speed: 101 mph
Stall: 42 mph
Seats: 3
Price $4,435
PLA Sportsman
Engine: 1 × 170 hp (127 kW) Jacobs LA-1
Wingspan: 29’6″
Length: 23’6″
Useful load: 889 lb
Max speed: 122 mph
Cruise speed: 105 mph
Stall: 41 mph
Range: 500+ mi
Seats: 2
RBA
Engine: 1 × 110 hp (82 kW) later 125 hp (93 kW) Warner Scarab
4 built
RBA
Engine: 1 × Warner Scarab SS40&50, 125 hp
Length: 21 ft 0 in
Wingspan: 29 ft 6 in
Height: 8 ft 8 in
Empty weight: 1,250 lb
Gross weight: 1,949 lb
Maximum speed: 104 mph
Cruise speed: 91 mph
Range: 400 miles
Service ceiling: 12,800 ft
Rate of climb: 500 ft/min
Crew: 1
Capacity: 1 passenger
RCA
Engine: 1 × 110 hp (82 kW) Warner Scarab
Wingspan: 29’6″
Length: 21’7″
Useful load: 735 lb
Max speed: 105 mph
Cruise speed: 91 mph
Stall: 40 mph
Seats: 3
TBA
Engine: 1 × 160 hp (119 kW) Kinner R-5
Wingspan: 27’5″
Length: 21’6″
Useful load: 780 lb
Max speed: 116 mph
Cruise speed: 98 mph
Stall: 40 mph
Range: 400 mi
Seats: 2
TCA
Engine: 1 × 160 hp (119 kW) Kinner R-5
Wingspan: 29’6″
Length: 21’11”
Useful load: 895 lb
Max speed: 119 mph
Cruise speed: 101 mph
Stall: 41 mph
Seats: 3
UBA
Engine: 1 × Continental R-670, 210 hp (157 kW)
Wingspan: 29’6″
Length: 21’0″
Useful load: 841 lb
Top speed: 132 mph
Cruise speed: 115 mph
Stall: 42 mph
Range: 345 mi
Seats: 2
6 built
UCA
Engine: 1 × 210 hp (157 kW) Continental R-670
Wingspan: 29’6″
Length: 21’0″
Useful load: 899 lb
Max speed: 132 mph
Cruise speed: 116 mph
Stall: 42 mph
Seats: 3
ULA Sportsman
Engine: 210 hp (157 kW) Continental R-670
Wingspan: 29’6″
Length: 22’9″
Useful load: 816 lb
Max speed: 134 mph
Cruise: 118 mph
Stall: 43 mph
Range: 535 mi
Seats: 2
1 built
All Aero 