PlaneFox tracks 4 Waco UPF-7 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
A Waco UPF-7 flies about 347 nm, roughly 643 km, which is about 3 h 30 min in still air at typical cruise.
A Waco UPF-7 costs about EUR 2,622 a month to run, or about EUR 280 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
The Waco UPF-7 is an open-cockpit, three-place biplane built by the Waco Aircraft Company of Troy, Ohio. Introduced in 1937 and produced into the early 1940s, it was developed as a civilian sport and training aircraft, and became closely associated with the U.S. Civilian Pilot Training Program before World War II. Unlike later WACO recreations, the UPF-7 is a prewar, tube-and-fabric taildragger with a radial engine, conventional controls and period handling. Its importance comes from its combination of genuine antique-aircraft status, practical two-passenger front cockpit utility and strong support among vintage Waco owners.
Typical published figures for the Waco UPF-7 include a cruise speed of about 90 knots, depending on propeller, rigging, engine condition and loading. Range is commonly listed at roughly 300 statute miles, and service ceiling figures are generally around 12,000 feet. The aircraft is most often powered by the Continental W-670 series seven-cylinder radial engine, rated at 220 hp in common UPF-7 installations. Gross weight is generally cited at 2,650 lb, with useful load varying by individual aircraft, equipment, fabric system and restoration choices. Buyers should treat actual empty weight, fuel capacity and weight-and-balance data as aircraft-specific items rather than assuming factory figures still apply.
The UPF-7 has two open cockpits. The pilot normally sits in the rear cockpit, while the wider front cockpit can accommodate two occupants side by side, making it more practical than many two-seat antique trainers. Wind protection, baggage space and weather capability are limited by design. Original aircraft were not delivered with modern avionics suites such as Garmin G1000 or Garmin Perspective. Current examples typically carry a simple VFR panel, often with basic engine instruments, a comm radio, transponder, ADS-B Out equipment where required, and sometimes a portable GPS or discreet panel-mounted navigator.
Condition and documentation drive Waco UPF-7 value more than equipment alone. Key review areas include airframe tube corrosion, wood components, fabric age and type, wing rigging, landing gear condition, control cables, fuel system integrity and the history of any major restoration. Engine logs for the Continental W-670 are important, including time since overhaul, cylinder condition, accessory status and parts support. Desirable upgrades often include modern fabric systems, Cleveland-style brakes, reliable electrical installations, contemporary radios and ADS-B compliance, provided they are well documented and sympathetic to the aircraft. In the used market, the Waco UPF-7 typically sits as a collectible, flyable antique rather than a cross-country utility aircraft, appealing to buyers who value authenticity, open-cockpit flying and careful stewardship.