enjoy the thrill of an
OPEN COCKPIT
BIPLANE RIDE
Stepping onto the historic grass runway at WACO Field, you are instantly transported into the Golden Age of Aviation as you climb into the open cockpit of a classic WACO biplane for an approximately 12-minute breathtaking experience.As the aircraft lifts into the sky, you'll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the winding Great Miami River, straight into historic downtown Troy. From your vantage point, you'll soar over the magnificent Miami County Courthouse on the riverbanks, catch a glimpse of the bustling Troy Square just off your wings, and sweep over the Miami County Fairgrounds.
After taking in these sights, your pilot will bank the aircraft and bring you in for a smooth landing back on the welcoming turf of WACO Field (1WF)—completing an unforgettable journey through time and the Ohio skies.
The Discover Ride is for one or two people who sit side by side in front of the pilot (See FAQ’s).
Please call ahead to schedule a time for your ride!
The purchase of a ticket shall constitute your unconditional acceptance to be bound to the terms and conditions below:
The physical ticket must be presented at the time of the flight (no exceptions).
WACO will not replace lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged tickets.
The ticket is not redeemable if the stub is detached or separated.
The ticket is not redeemable for cash.
The ticket is non-refundable but is transferrable.
The ticket is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase. After 1 year, the original purchase price may be applied toward a future WACO ride experience.
The original purchase price can ONLY be applied towards another ride experience.
Climbing into the open cockpit of a classic WACO biplane for this 30-minute extended adventure, you will feel the rumble of the radial engine before ever leaving the ground.
Your journey includes all the scenic highlights featured in the DISCOVER flight, plus an incredible northern extension. Your pilot will push past the city limits over the historic Eldean Covered Bridge and then to the south edge of Piqua over the massive Piqua solar farm before banking west into the rolling countryside toward Covington. From there, you will trace the scenic Stillwater River, soaring directly over the red roof of the Pleasant Hill High School.
Heading back toward Troy, you'll pass over a piece of aviation history—the original WACO Factory site, which is now Collins Aerospace. Then your pilot brings you in for a smooth landing back on the turf of WACO Field to complete your ultimate historical journey.
The Explore Ride is for one or two people who sit side by side in front of the pilot (See FAQ’s).
Please call ahead to schedule a time for your ride!
The purchase of a ticket shall constitute your unconditional acceptance to be bound to the terms and conditions below:
The physical ticket must be presented at the time of the flight (no exceptions).
WACO will not replace lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged tickets.
The ticket is not redeemable if the stub is detached or separated.
The ticket is not redeemable for cash.
The ticket is non-refundable but is transferrable.
The ticket is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase. After 1 year, the original purchase price may be applied toward a future WACO ride experience.
The original purchase price can ONLY be applied towards another ride experience.
Enjoy a ride in an open-cockpit WACO YMF-5, affectionately known as “Sunny”.
Ride season is from April - October.
Ride tickets are now available to purchase for the 2026 ride season.
You can purchase a ticket as a special gift; the recipient can schedule a date and time that is convenient for their schedule.
All rides are by appointment, except for the Annual Fly-In when rides are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The ticket is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase. After 1 year, the original purchase price may be applied toward a future WACO ride experience.
The ticket is non-refundable but is transferable.
Check the weather at 1WF.
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The Discover Ride is an approximately 12-minute flight featuring scenic views of the Great Miami River, downtown Troy, the Miami County Courthouse, Troy Square, and the fairgrounds.
The Explore Ride is an extended 30-minute experience that includes the Discover route plus additional sights such as the Eldean Covered Bridge, Piqua solar farm, Stillwater River, Pleasant Hill High School, and the original WACO Factory site.
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Call our scheduler at 937-335-9226 to get your appointment after purchasing the ride. Remember, safety Is always our first concern and all rides are subject to change based on the weather, the airplane, or the pilot.
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The pilot sits in the back and up to two passengers can sit in the front.
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Weight limitations can vary based on the amount of fuel onboard, the weather conditions, the weight of the pilot, and other factors. As a general rule, we recommend the combined weight of two passengers not exceed 400 pounds, but we reserve the right to limit the flight to one passenger depending on the combination of current conditions.
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Great news! No age limit. We have had riders from ages 3 to 97. We do have a cushion to raise a young passenger for better viewing.
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Hats are not recommended. It is noisy so earplugs will be provided. Glasses are fine. It is warm in the front cockpit which sits behind the engine so if it is warm outside, dress cool (a T-shirt and shorts are fine.) If the outside temperature is below 65 degrees, you should bring a jacket along for the option--depending on your personal temperature preferences. Women with long hair should wear their hair tied back to prevent tangling. Long dresses are fine (no short skirts or dresses), but high heels will make climbing on the plane's wing very difficult. We recommend very comfortable and flexible shoes for all of our passengers.
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Yes. So that we can stay on schedule, please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out waivers.
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We simply reschedule your flight; sometimes for the same day or another day that is convenient for you.
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Yes! We encourage you to do so! However, we recommend a strap to secure it around your neck or wrist. It is important to not hold your cell phone or camera outside of the cockpit during flight to keep it from flying out of your hand.
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Ride tickets can be purchased in our gift shop, on our website, or over the phone. They can be mailed to your home for an additional cost of $2.50 or picked up in our gift shop. These make a wonderful gift and the recipient can call the museum to schedule their ride.
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No. Due to the high cost of flying and related expenses, we do not give rides as auction/raffle items. We encourage someone in the organization to purchase the ride and donate it as an auction item.
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The seller will not replace lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged tickets.
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Museum admission is included for guests who take a ride in Sunny, provided the museum is open at the time of their visit. Additional members of your party may purchase museum admission tickets in the gift shop.
If the museum is closed during your scheduled flight, riders may request admission tickets for a future visit.
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We do not do aerobatics, but if you are adventurous, we can give you a thrilling ride without going upside down. Let us know at the time of your fight.
