Aircraft

 ‘Lights Are Out’ Following WACO Aircraft Shutdown

Employees and customers say they ‘did not see it coming.’

Jonathan Welsh
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Edited By:

Jonathan Welsh

WACO YMF-5
WACO YMF-5 [Credit: WACO Aircraft]

Employees, customers, and even airport neighbors of WACO Aircraft Corp. were reeling on Wednesday after hearing reports that the company had ceased operation at its factory and offices at Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field (KBTL) in Michigan.

People familiar with the situation told The Aviation Consumer that employees left the company at the end of work Tuesday and received an email message around 7 p.m. EDT telling them not to return the next day. Reports suggest there was little or no indication of trouble within the company’s operations.

Jonathan Welsh

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot and lifelong aviation enthusiast who has been a reporter, writer and columnist for 35 years. His career includes stints with the Wall Street Journal, Flying Magazine and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He recently returned to Firecrown to lead Aviation Consumer.