The Air Commerce Act was enacted in 1926 for the sole responsibility of fostering air commerce, issuing and enforcing air traffic rules, certifying pilots and aircraft, and operating and maintaining air navigation aids. During the period between 1926 and 1938, the world of aviation grew by leaps and bounds. Never have there been more aircraft and aircraft engine companies as there was during that time. Ohio alone had about 35 different aircraft and engine manufacturers. In 1938, as a result of the need to modify the Air Commerce Act, the Civil Aeronautics Act was enacted. The newly formed Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA) replaced the Bureau of Air Commerce. The CAA was given the additional authority to issue air carrier route certificates and to regulate airline fares. In 1940, the CAA was divided into the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and the CAA. The CAB was given the authority and responsibility for economic and safety rulemaking and for accident investigations.

 

The people that enforced the rules and regulations of the Air Commerce Act needed to travel around the country. The number of actual inspectors was minimal; therefore each one was assigned large territories to cover, especially in the western U.S. What better way to travel about the country enforcing regulations than in a brand new Waco? Hence, the Federal Government procured a number of Wacos just for that purpose. Even the CAA got into the act in 1938.  Listed below are the Wacos purchased with their subsequent “N” numbers throughout the years.

 

Waco AGC-8 s/n 5069 NS53, N53E                                                         

Waco AGC-8 s/n 5070 NC59, N75743

Waco AGC-8 s/n 5071 NC60, NC59187

Waco AGC-8 s/n 5072 NC61, N69607

Waco AGC-8 s/n 5073 NC62, N66206

Waco AGC-8 s/n 5074 NC104, N49320

Waco AGC-8 s/n 5077 NC103, N69611

Waco AGC-8 s/n 5078 NC8, N8E

Waco AVN-8 s/n 5114 NS90, NC90H

Waco AVN-8 s/n 5115 NC17, N1717 "Radio Experimental Aircraft" sold as excess

Waco AVN-8 s/n 5117 UC-72J 42-97418 NC231, NC231E

Waco CTO s/n A-118 NS25, N13918

Waco CTO s/n A-119 NS24, N13917

Waco RNF s/n 3473 NS31

Waco SRE  s/n 5081 UC-72 42-38370 NC20956, NC247, NC247E

Waco SRE  s/n 5086 UC-72 42-38271 N20961, NS71

Waco SRE  s/n 5090 UC-72 42-46913 NC20958, NC246

Waco UEC s/n 3684 NS38, NC38, N18613

Waco UEC s/n 3685 NS11, N18631

Waco UKC s/n 3856 NS16, N16967

Waco UKC s/n 3857 NS17, N2175 sold after 8/28/35 accident, then rebuilt

Waco UKC s/n 3858 NS18, N18976

Waco UKC s/n 3859 NS19

Waco UKC s/n 3860 NS20, N18620, N1320 sold to WACO, 5/6/38

Waco PT-14 (UPF-7) s/n 5300 AAC 40-014 NC218, N58290

Waco PT-14 (UPF-7) s/n 5302 AAC 40-016 NC219, N66757

Waco PT-14 (UPF-7) s/n 5303 AAC 40-017 NC220

Waco PT-14  (UPF-7) s/n 5304 AAC 40-018 NC221

Waco PT-14 (UPF-7) s/n 5305 AAC 40-019 NC222, N62569

Waco PT-14 (UPF-7) s/n 5306 AAC 40-020 NC223, NC223M

Waco PT-14 (UPF-7) s/n 5307 AAC 40-021 NC224, NC224H

Waco PT-14 (UPF-7) s/n 5308 AAC 40-022 NC225

Waco PT-14 (UPF-7) s/n 5309 AAC 40-023 NC226, NC226E

Waco PT-14 (UPF-7) s/n 5310 AAC 40-024 NC227, NR49708

Waco PT-14 (UPF-7) s/n 5311 AAC 40-025 NC228, NC58767

Waco PT-14 (UPF-7) s/n 5312 AAC 40-026 NC229, NC2291

Waco UPF-7 s/n 5530 NC30133, NC152, NC152E

Waco UPF-7 s/n 5572 NC153, NC153H

Waco UPF-7 s/n 5573 NC154, NC65906

Waco UPF-7 s/n 5574 NC155, NC65627

Waco UPF-7 s/n 5575 NC156, NC156E

Waco UPF-7 s/n 5576 NC157, NC65621

Waco UPF-7 s/n 5577 NC158, NC158E

Waco UPF-7 s/n 5578 NC159, NC159H

Waco UPF-7 s/n 5579 NC160, NC73408