Micco Aircraft says it hopes to deliver its first SP26A two-seat aerobatic and touring aircraft sometime in December. The company, which has had numerous incarnations, including being a project of the Seminole Tribe in Florida, is settled into its headquarters in Bartlesville, Okla., and has firm orders for five of the sporty $329,000 taildraggers, co-owner F. DeWitt Beckett told the Tulsa World. He said he believes there’s a niche for the aircraft, which he likens to a Corvette. “We’re not trying to be Cessna or Piper. This is a high-performance, complex, tailwheel, instrument-rated aerobatic airplane. It’s the only one on the market that fits the bill.” Beckett and his partner, Chief Jim Billie, moved the operation to Bartlesville last year after years of wrangling with investors and the Seminole tribe, which tried to auction off the assets of the Fort Pierce operation in 2001. Three hurricanes finished off what was left of the production facility and Beckett and Billie were able to bring what was left to Oklahoma. Beckett said they’re now gathering and making parts for the first five airplanes and if interest in the aircraft continues to build, he hopes to make two aircraft a month in coming years.
