Classic Waco Had Gone Down In A Florida Lake 10 Years Ago

A classic 1928 Waco that began its life as the first plane to deliver a package across the country and was one of Embry-Riddle's first airplanes is ready to fly again following a years-long restoration effort.

The plane had gone down 10 years ago in a lake in central Florida, resulting in the fatal injury of the three people on board. Now, it has been restored to its original condition, and is ready to fly again this weekend as part of the annual Wings and Waves Airshow in Daytona Beach, FL. It was taxied in a "dress rehearsal" on Tuesday at Daytona Beach International Airport.

The Daytona Beach News Journal reports that the plane was originally owned by John Paul Riddle, one of the school's founders. Back then, the school was also an airmail carrier operating out of Cincinnati, OH. It was one of a fleet of Wacos owned by Riddle and T. Higbee Embry.

After its accident, the plane was restored by a private individual, who sold the plane back to the school for under $100,000.

School officials debated whether to fly the airplane or hang it as a display, but ERAU archivist Kevin Montgomery told the paper "it is one of the few flying 1928 Wacos in existence. If it can fly, why not fly it?"

(Image provided by ERAU)

FMI: www.erau.edu