Valdez STOL 2019 Alaska, In Loving Memory of DRACO, Episode 3

[@jasonsneed3179]

Nice video !!🤠🤠👍👍

[@CraveLife]

Thanks Jason!

[@sherzaiasim]

So sad ..but knowing Mike with his unbelievable energy will be back..GET BACK TO WORK

[@CraveLife]

@@sherzaiasim Lot closer to Draco-X now than a year ago. Woohoo!

[@SteeveohRising]

Stunning edit Dimitri. Aviators everywhere that know of Mike and his creation Draco, will surely appreciate this tribute. I sure do!

[@CraveLife]

Thanks Steve, Draco is very special to me and many many others. Glad Mike shared Draco with us up here in Alaska!

[@stevecraig3004]

Mike and Draco will always be an inspiration to everyone who has ever looked up and thought "Why can't I be up there...?" Thanks, Mike, for inspiring so many of us; and great video, Dmitri!

[@CraveLife]

Well said Steve! Thank you

[@stevenmurray5860]

All I can say is...AGREED! Mike is the best! Draco will live again! Thank you for the tribute!

[@CraveLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@capnpete2672]

I haven't heard anybody commend Mike for having built Draco so well that when he crashed, they had no injuries and all survived! Great Job, Mike. Well done, sir.

[@CraveLife]

Absolutely👏

[@fxpthl]

What a wonderful tribute to this fantastic piece of beautiful machinery! Bravo Crafe Life, Bravo!

[@CraveLife]

Thanks Edward, glad you enjoyed it!

[@buckhessel2376]

Best Draco/Mike Patey video ever. Great work, Thank You.

[@CraveLife]

Thanks Buck! 🍻

[@ibbylancaster8981]

Draco will live again. Kinda like the 6 million dollar man" We can rebuild him , Better, Stronger, Faster, We have the technology " Great video man. Have a blessed day and thank you for sharing

[@CraveLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@kennethnichols8633]

I just knew that You would not let Draco be laid to rest....I Just Knew it! Good on you! I look forward to the "New" Draco! Keep up the Great Work!

[@CraveLife]

Thanks a lot!👍

[@maeelectronics]

Wonderful Homage to Mike, his Draco and the bush pilot life. What an investment in time watching the Draco build such a talent. I will be happy to watch her rebuild Cheers.

[@CraveLife]

Can't wait to see build 2!

[@osmanmemisevic2164]

...most impressive speech at the end of video. Draco is gone. But I'm glad that Mike is not. And I can hardly wait to see by how far his new masterpiece will excel the old. Great work, guys!

[@CraveLife]

I know Mike will do something bigger and more capable on Draco-X!

[@osmanmemisevic2164]

@@CraveLife Hey Dmitri, I too hope that Mike will build another great plane. But most of all, I really enjoyed your videos as they show my three passions: planes, Alaska & film making. продовжуй ніколи не здавайся!

[@CraveLife]

Osman Memisevic Thank you so much!

[@mikejw58]

A worthy tribute. Well done

[@CraveLife]

Mike JW Thank you!

[@wrthrash]

Great footage and info, just wait and see what Mike does next, as it will be jaw dropping!!!

[@CraveLife]

It will be something absolutely amazing!

[@AKATEATime]

Great tribute and great timing. 👍 I was so happy to see Mike's video last night that he's resurrecting it.

[@CraveLife]

Yes, great news! 👏

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Excellent. Very well done. Mike is such a great aviator and builder...I'm sure he will be back to Alaska with Scrappy and then some!

[@CraveLife]

We look forward to seeing Mike again in the spring!

[@ninocalderon2372]

Love this video a lot , thanks for sharing. What a beautiful story.

[@CraveLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamesedmister9922]

Miss Mike and Draco! Thanks for the memory!

[@CraveLife]

😢

[@ronulbrich]

Wonderful video, thanks for producing it. I really enjoyed watching and like you look forward to Draco II.

[@CraveLife]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@billhart9832]

Very well edited and put together, capturing the spectacular performance of Draco, Mike's irrepressible enthusiasm, and his sheer genius. Like most fans, I was shocked at the loss of Draco shortly after, though relieved all walked away. After a brief time to grieve & compose his thoughts, he unsurprisingly decided to rebuild Draco, bigger, badder, and better. Mike our best wishes are with you.

[@CraveLife]

Thank you for the comment! Looking forward to Draco-X!

[@amandeepbains6193]

did he make it again?

[@princessquic1]

Very interesting video thank you so much for sharing enjoyed it so much i would love to learn to do this glad your ok

[@waiakalulu3501]

Great video to remember that great bird. The most important thing Mike and his family are safe to live, create and inspire us all.

[@CraveLife]

Well said!

[@flybyairplane3528]

I only saw DRACO, at RENO, but was NOT FLYING BLANCORILIO, JUAN BROWNE had said it was only static,,something to do with insurance, I just had NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE,

[@CraveLife]

It's a great luck that after such an accident nobody is hurt! People's lives are the most precious thing we have!

[@StevenCampbell1955]

Hero = Mike Patey. Not too many blokes around I can say that about.

[@CraveLife]

Absolutely agree!

[@luisjaquez4470]

I never get tired of seeing draco perform, we need to see another one just like it.!!!!!

[@CraveLife]

Indeed, Draco-X

[@TBone1362]

Very nicely said. Draco is and was and will be again a great aircraft. However there is scrappy coming up from behind. Can’t wait to see how it turns out...

[@coryturner9140]

Definitely the coolest bush plane ever. I got to see it at Reno but I was not able to see it fly before it bit the dust. Rip Draco. Mike patey will come back with something even better, he doesn’t quit.

[@56thSPSk970]

Great tribute, Great Job.... VIVA VALDEZ!

[@CraveLife]

Thank you!

[@brentdykgraaf184]

This sucka gonna fly again....Draco phoenix.....up from the ashes..a rebirth..because Mike gonna make it even more baddass than before!

[@StortWeldingCoLLC]

Crave Life, ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW!!! AND THANK GOD ALL IS SAFE. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE " NEW" ONE, THANKS, JACK

[@CraveLife]

You are abolutely right!

[@DX91001]

Man I just became a bush plane enthusiast. Draco made me really confident that I finally found my true love in life! Mikes words are perfect!! "This Sucks!" Im just glad everybody is ok and yeah man!! I hope he out does himself on the next Draco II!! Im sure he will.

[@CraveLife]

Thanks for sharing Tony! Agreed! Mike defines the love for aviation!

[@Forty5Kimber]

Excellent video

[@jamesedmister9922]

Great video! Thanks

[@CraveLife]

Hello James! Thank you too!

[@Stpilot]

Very nicely done... very nice.

[@CraveLife]

Thx Tim 👍

[@CarlCrumm-m5f]

5 yr ago, hell of a fingernail now, Hope all is well, I will miss Draco, I remain thankful

[@ptrekboxbreaks5198]

First time coming across this channel and the hands on the planes at beginning really confused me lol

[@CraveLife]

Just a little effect for fun :)

[@MohammedAslamtit-bitsoflife]

Mike I love you... You are safe Draco can be produced at any time. Love from Hyderabad India.

[@CraveLife]

😎👍👍

[@jorgegonzalez-or3ku]

Bravo Mr.Drako

[@CraveLife]

Draco-X coming soon

[@JeromeAJackson]

Mike you are simply genius

[@CraveLife]

One of a kind type of dudes

[@treetopfpv7931]

A Great Tribute to Draco!!! look forward to see what mike dose next.

[@CraveLife]

Thank you, I'm sure it will be great!

[@montybrewster7]

What a shame to lose such a beautiful aircraft but thankful Mike & everyone onboard stayed safe & well.

[@markoconnell804]

Love the tilt shift!

[@CraveLife]

😉👍

[@tompinnef6331]

Thank you for the video - was a sad day when I heard Draco had been lost. I should have driven up to see it at the Oshkosh this year. Maybe I'll see Draco 2 up there next time. Take care be safe.

[@CraveLife]

You will definitely have an oppotrunity to see the new Draco-X one day! I think, every aviation fan needs to see this plane in the sky at least once.

[@jean-francoislaporte64]

Very nice editing. Good job.

[@CraveLife]

Jean-François Laporte, Thank you!

[@gmcjetpilot]

Thanks for posting. That is the way I'll remember Draco and Mike pumped up.

[@CraveLife]

Thank you for watching, love it!

[@2506Larry]

Most awesome airplane I have seen.

[@CraveLife]

Absolutely agree!

[@TMB247]

Mike and Mark are LEGEND! (as is Draco)

[@CraveLife]

ABSOLUTELY!

[@yusufalghareeb7830]

ya feel Deeb sadness to the crash of DRACO, thank GOD they are all ok, now to fastrack "SCRAPPY" , what I like about mike that he is alway energized, always has a positive attitude

[@CraveLife]

Yes, love the positivity Mike has!

[@ctsteve1967]

Only when he is on Video.

[@RealRickCox]

I saw the airplane in pieces in Mike's hanger last year. That's when he told me about Draco X.... at least I have some really cool memorabilia (stickers, temporary tattoos, etc) from Draco. Mike is such an amazing guy. Love him!

[@CraveLife]

Indeed, he is a legend!

[@pagodadr]

Amen Brother!

[@CraveLife]

👍

[@thomasnelson2463]

I was proud to have my picture taken standing under it's wing, with my son, at Oshkosh this summer!

[@CraveLife]

Surreal moment!

[@Adharshsuman]

Waiting for Draco. ! Mikey a hard-working individual. So inspiring.

[@CraveLife]

I also can't wait to see Draco rebuilt!

[@rickmullins4730]

Whats so heart breaking is the time and effort along with his knowledge of aeronautics that went into the Draco project.

[@CraveLife]

💔 indeed

[@CraveLife]

@Allan Sneddon One of the best out there!

[@ABrit-bt6ce]

Most excellent.

[@CraveLife]

Thank you, miss it dearly

[@wadenixon5937]

All Hail the Draco 💪🇺🇸 Great video Great Plane Great Man behind the Plane 💯

[@CraveLife]

Glad to you enjoyed it

[@DirtNerds]

Well Done! Long Live Draco in our Hearts and Minds! Come on with it Scrappy!

[@CraveLife]

Can't wait to see Draco-X come to life!

[@morghino1497]

Good Job capitan! 😎

[@amsurg]

Great guys keep it up Always feel good to this Awesome

[@CraveLife]

Thank you so much 😀

[@savedtwice7925]

The footage of this gorgeous bush plane looked Incredible !!! Does anyone know what it sounded like ? I couldn't hear it at all . What a waist ...........

[@CraveLife]

Anyone?

[@waydeheigel7436]

Well done!

[@CraveLife]

Thank you!

[@jerrydelyea5820]

sweet edit man, still heart broken over DRACO, ): Mike is a class act .

[@CraveLife]

Jerry, thank you! Agreed! 💔

[@GovG33k]

Wow, great tribute video. I was lucky to see him at KLVK after this event in Alaska. Sad to see his ground loop though. =(

[@CraveLife]

Glad you were able to see it in person

[@atmm89]

1000% agree with you, its like loosing a member of your family

[@CraveLife]

Draco-X will be awesome!

[@ErniePreciado]

Mike's going to rebuild it🙏

[@CraveLife]

Great news, isn't it?😀

[@reinholdaschmotat3949]

Add a video about how the structure the welding and other safety designs you have built into Draco.

[@CraveLife]

Draco-X will be fun when Mike finishes up Scrappy and Ballistic

[@mattwoody1089]

im amazed none of the other cowboys have vloged or commented on the draco cash maybe you can prove me wrong mr big man crave life

[@timmorris3056]

Haven't seen anything from Trent or Gimpy, maybe they're happy that the Show Stealer is in storage currently. Draco is coming back For Sure!!!

[@theresapetekiewicz1788]

I must take a ride in DRACaO!!! Seriously.

[@CraveLife]

Hope that one day it is real!

[@antoniosousa5677]

I think that the best celebration about this good man, is dreaming for is return with a new brand DRACO... soon!

[@CraveLife]

MDGA - Make Draco Great Again!

[@ctsteve1967]

@@CraveLife he already bought a new one. LOL

[@CraveLife]

Greg Plaka, that’s great news!

[@timothyosborn1697]

Mike, I've written to you before she this is the first time I've seen this video. Oh, that area, Valdez, is so gorgeous. As a young boy dad was stationed at Ft. Richardson, from 1963-65. Yes, I rode the 1964 Alaskan Earthquake. I was 4 years old. I'm still heartbroken, like you, and thousands others, about the loss of Draco. I must say that I'm hoping that she will rise like the Phoenix. Another thing I'd love to say that is I didn't have to earn a living, and if I had more to give, I'd love to work for you, with you driving me, do I could learn your work ethic. As a young boy I left hundreds of project on the table, unfinished, due to laziness, loss of concentration, etc. Watching you makes me wonder what would have happened had I developed the attributes you lovingly share with us. That being said, I've made it a point to work on my concentration, my ethics, my drive. It's hard for this 60 year old geezer to do so, but I know it can be done. Thanks for the lessons, teach!!!! Get back to work! Tim

[@CraveLife]

Thanks for sharing that Tim!

[@WesternSapphireStar]

Any news on your missing friend?

[@CraveLife]

I'm going to do an update video in a couple weeks taking a trip out there

[@artd.]

Well Done my friend, wonderful video.

[@CraveLife]

Thanks Art, glad you enjoyed it!

[@ridepate]

No worries. He is going to build another!

[@CraveLife]

Yes, that's amazing! Can't wait to see the result😀

[@randallharmsen5802]

First? If not it’s fine. Maybe the last time for Draco? Following what happened at Stead earlier this week. We are so glad nobody was hurt or worse! 👍🏻✅. Sorry for the crash Mike Patey life has its challenges. Hang in there, it will get better. 🤠

[@CraveLife]

Mike is a winner! No doubt about that.

[@randallharmsen5802]

Yes he is a hero for aviation and humanity. Being humble about the crash fills volumes of respect for him. I had near brush with death years ago, everyday is a special one!

[@sonnyburnett8725]

I’ve never seen him before and his enthusiasm is awesome.

[@CraveLife]

Very contagious!

[@curtisnewland7300]

Never quit

[@loganj.2329]

Really hope he rebirths draco. Always loved that plane

[@CraveLife]

I hope so!

[@jamesringler987]

@@CraveLife he's working on it

[@CraveLife]

James Ringler can’t wait to see it!

[@avoidingtrees560]

Make draco great again......cheers from France

[@CraveLife]

Avoiding Trees, thanks 😎

[@chuckbowen4334]

Was it a gust of wind that caused the demise of draco. The pilot said he use poor judgment? Frequently, when you modify an aircraft to have a super high lift to weight ratio, the craft becomes susceptible to wind gusts. Could this have been the reason for the accident?

[@dajobra]

Draco wil be back, stronger and lighter then ever before.

[@CraveLife]

Surely, we will see Draco many times in the sky again! I love the lighter comment 😎

[@keithfreeman5204]

I have building and flying model planes since 1959. In '76 got my first radio, been designing, building, and flying ever since. First question....Mike how are you? In looking at the crash damage, my biggest question.. Is Draco rebuildable? Wing broke at the fuse, both sides, main spar failure, LG is really bad. The fuse doesn't look like it's in to bad of shape. It is my experience, that rebuilding a proven design deserves to be rebuilt.

[@CraveLife]

Hello Keith, I am sure Mike will build even greater plane soon!

[@lucywucyyy]

what happened did he crash it?

[@CraveLife]

antsolja just the weather conditions, really strong winds

[@EarthnikNews]

Absolutely!!! Very well said and very well done. Thank you.

[@CraveLife]

Thank you Frank!

[@mikedurhan9941]

Happy neither Mike nor anybody else was hurt.

[@radiobikini6429]

Almost made me cry.

[@CraveLife]

😥

[@JohnDLeo-rg8tc]

almost made me vomit! is there a special prayer we can say to worship DRACO?

[@cutter043]

Mike are you going to build a new Draco?

[@CraveLife]

Draco-X is coming soon

[@neptuneP2V7]

Nice comments Cheer

[@CraveLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@RomanKozlov007]

Amazing video - great, great, great work! Молодец 👏

[@CraveLife]

Thank you! 😃

[@johnmajane3731]

Look how soft that gear is, that was part of his issue at Reno when it started leaning over in the wind.

[@CraveLife]

The suspension was truly amazing! With its ability to articulate, the x-wind component increases significantly taking the load into the suspension.

[@TBone1362]

John Majane Rigid or soft the elements were already there.

[@johnmajane3731]

@@TBone1362 agree but it amplified the issues.

[@thomasm8699]

Yeah, it looked like the left wing lifted as the suspension gave in and the wind got under it, greatly increasing the AOA of that left wing. With the right wing blocked, over she goes. Any way that's how it looked to me.

[@johnmajane3731]

@@thomasm8699 I would agree, he just pushed it to far and wrecked the plane. He openly admits it. You have to admire the guy for his candor

[@davide.burden2043]

One correction Mike, Draco did not participate in the STOL races at Reno. Mike just had her on display. There was a foul up with insurance that prevented him from the competition.

[@CraveLife]

Would have been awesome to see her one last time. 🍻

[@davide.burden2043]

I believe that once all the issues with the insurance are finally cleared up, Mike will rebuild Draco. I could be wrong, and he is doing an amazing job with Scrappy, but I sure hope he does resurrect Draco. I know there are issues with automobiles that have been "Totaled" by insurance, so there are probably more with an airplane. I can't believe it is a technical issue for Mike. I've seen too much of his fabricating and pure genius when it comes to designing and modifying parts to ever believe he isn't capable of the rebuild. Therefore, if Draco does not get rebuilt, I believe it will be for some legal issue. That would be sad too, because Draco is a marvel of aviation.

[@CraveLife]

@@davide.burden2043 MDGA 👍

[@davide.burden2043]

@Crave Life *MDGA Indeed.*

[@marybilbrey3442]

Mike. Rebuild it!!!!!

[@CraveLife]

👍👍

[@flyingdog1498]

Crash it harder next time.

[@cf6282]

He just announced he is going to rebuild! And it is going to be even better. Check put Mike Pateys KZbin channel.

[@CraveLife]

@@cf6282 Draco-X!

[@CraveLife]

@@flyingdog1498 Hard enough wasn't it?

[@justkilian7795]

Wow what a camera. What do you use. It looks so crisp

[@CraveLife]

GoPro for the mounted cams

[@killerbug888]

Big Red Airplane , So cute . I love it .

[@CraveLife]

Thank you 🤗

[@micstonemic696stone]

Mike if there's any chance you'll read this, DRACO was my favourite aircraft ever and I'm 52 please tell us your plan for DRACO X Your aircraft changed my life and I'm sure other people's so please are you going to build her ?

[@mattwoody1089]

please explain why atc and patey took off the wind was too strong for the ultalight

[@gbigsangle3044]

The decision to fly was his, not ATC.

[@mattwoody1089]

i guess your right its that simple

[@cory0702]

Did you find your friend

[@07decker]

Amen brother

[@CraveLife]

🍻👍

[@propermodulation948]

Would have loved to hear the turbine spin up much more than the annoying generic rock soundtrack

[@CraveLife]

I'm with you, the PT6 firing up is like a live band in full force. I love the process, the click click click then knowing the NG is climbing with a quick flip of the fuel on, and the mini explosion inside the turbine then watching the temp gauge to make sure things don't get to hot. Love it my friend!

[@larryehrlich8702]

@@CraveLife You always want to wait for maximum engine rotation speed by the starter prior to engaging the condition lever to Run...this gives you a "cooler" engine start which is less stressful to the turbine blades on the engine. Great video...thanks for standing in the rain so this Florida resident can watch the video. I'm also an ex Alaska resident.

[@CraveLife]

Hello Larry, welcome to the channel! More great stuff to come!

[@mk1gti]

Yeah, gotta agree, it would have been so much better of an experience without the music...

[@MoiraOBrien]

I hope that Draco will love again. I know that Mike is busy with Scrappy but surely Draco is rebuildable?

[@CraveLife]

Mike will do his best to rebuild Draco!

[@jimlarsen6782]

Draco was the greatest. I watched it land in Ak and Reno, and it always seemed ground loopy. Might be something about the design. Hard to tell with tail draggers. RIP Draco!

[@CraveLife]

It does look like a handful, the squatting of the suspension has to get some getting used to.

[@jerryseinfield]

I have a theory . Mike just got to familiar with Draco and what comes with familiarity is "taken for granted" carelessness . He knew the fundamentals of the plane backwards and as all humans do we forget what we know when we have seen it a thousand times . He had paid attention to those hundred little things intensely when he first finished Draco and his mind had blanked them out as totally familiar and understood as time when on but they still mattered and he thought that he could operate Draco in any situation but Draco showed him that even the great plane had limits . The solution . Mike should generate a study course on Draco , the do's and don't s etc and he should take this course every 2 months or so to remind him of Draco's limits . To bring those limits to the front of his mind again where they should be .

[@AK.Navy.Veteran]

I thought Frank Knapps wife held the Short Take and Landing record here in Alaska. (Butte, Alaska)