Fire Breathing Draco Turboprop Airplane

Hang a Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop on a Wilga that weighs just a bit more than a Beechcraft Bonanza (and was already renowned for short-field performance), and you have one head-turning, fire-breathing beast with an insane climb rate and amazing short field take-offs and landings.

[@jenniferhill9750]

My son just called me to tell me that he just bought a Draco RC plane. He's 26 years old but acting like a giddy kid, and had to give me this link. I'm impressed! I'm looking forward to watching him fly it.

[@JC-td4gg]

And now you can get the Micro Draco also, smaller and cheaper.

[@rickmullins4730]

Anyone has to realize that much thought and dedication went into the build of this unique airplane, hats off to these fine people.

[@fastlane042]

RIP Draco :(

[@themadscientest]

Don't worry, Mike was fine btw.

[@familytraditiontransportat7951]

@@themadscientest He'll rebuild it... better than ever ... back to work!

[@catman351]

@@familytraditiontransportat7951 "He had rebuild it. He has the technology. He can make it better, stronger, faster. (cue in theme from "The 6 million dollar man.")"

[@lawnmowerdude]

It’s not dead.

[@deepbase9887]

"F"

[@rankin1289]

This guy is what I define as a genius. He has that genius brain that is always going and going. Doesn't need much sleep and prolly is constantly thinking of what's next.

[@theseventhgeneration6910]

I've never seen a flying monster truck until now. My dad built wooden airplanes in his garage in his spare time. This build is unequivocally historic in nature. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. Organize this design and sell it to your fan base. Not a tiny one.

[@shevetlevi2821]

Mike is living the dream, and deserves it too. Seems like a good guy.

[@RussellSquire]

Great interview! "Run Hard and Fly Slow" brilliant!!!

[@joonykids]

What a great guy full of energy and blessed with a great family.

[@DT-ge8gd]

Love the story, love the vids, love that you are a genuine guy with family values...but you truly are blessed my friend with your wife.... Wow. I pray I find someone like that. Thanks for all the vids. Keep them coming.

[@THAJAIMSTER]

The Man deserves all the glory he gets, he worked so hard for this. My Congratulations!!

[@sabeillard]

What an example! Great pilot, great man!

[@triblues7065]

this guy is a go getter. driven and highly motivated. Draco will be back. Draco will rise from the ashes.

[@UrbanDrivestyle]

He should start building this in series... what an amazing project and extremely well performed by a truly great guy!

[@Paiadakine]

Wow that guy is driven. Looks like if he puts his mind to it, he’ll turn it into gold. Congrats.

[@StevePlegge]

He set a LAND speed record in Turbulence? I'm impressed!

[@madrx2]

Lol

[@JosephHHHo]

Fast taxi?

[@heinoheme1178]

ACROSS land - USA coast to coast.

[@howardryburn9646]

Mike will build an even greater plane. So blessed that he is ok. He is far more important than his wings.

[@1320fastback]

So sad Draco is gone but thankfully no injuries to the pilot!

[@bazonka1]

Or his wife!

[@lovetofly32]

Hes building another one.. dont worry.. Supposed to be better too..

[@ZacharyTelesca]

@@lovetofly32 Its better 😂

[@paulpence8895]

Go directly to his channel and watch the build series, trust me you'll end up binge watching the entire thing, dude is awesome!!!

[@Firedog105]

It’s guys like him that made this country and keep it going. Always moving forward.

[@Windtee]

Wing-rockin' awesome! GO DRACO!

[@the10thleper]

Right on, living the dream. Draco is amazing, congratulations.

[@bosephusray165]

Draco is a shit can

[@donaldholman9070]

He has so much heart.

[@clarkkent7999]

Great video. Am addicted to Mike's channel. You captured him in a nutshell.

[@buckbuchanan5849]

That guy makes me look like I flopped in life! Damn Mike, that plane is awesome! Thanks AOPA for putting the story together.

[@jcnme2020]

"Back To Work" I just Love that.

[@branonlamphere9624]

Dude spent a million on that plane, I’ll never own something that nice. Hopefully I can get something someday. Planes= freedom

[@f4udhorn]

This guy is one of a kind! Kudos!

[@Bundinator46]

Get some sleep Mike! The World needs you! I'm 63 years old and I used to build and fly balsa RC planes as a passion. My brilliant and beautiful Daughter came to me about a year ago to tell me that she misses those days when I was passionate about something. Her 35th birthday was yesterday. Today, we looked at a DRACO RC plane at COLPAR hobbies in Denver. I wanted to go cheaper, but screw it. I can't take any of this with me, but this is Daddy, Daughter time!

[@cuprum166]

Yes, its so true what someone commented. Highly motivated, energetic and visionary men and women like Mike Patey is what made the U.S. the Great Country it is today!

[@davidwalgenbach6218]

Holy smokes - This is inspiration for me. I am going to do it. And when I do, I am going to figure out how to request some guidance on a similar build - or duplicate if they will let me. That plane and and that guy just blew me away. Not many have the courage to just think it and do it. Thanks for the inspiring story..!!

[@avoidingtrees560]

Thanks AOPA Cheers from France USA 👋

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Patey is the man.

[@madrx2]

Dude has clocked life. Legend.

[@ralphmadera4366]

Mike Paty one the few down to earth guy left,total genius,brain and hands.

[@fredtedstedman]

love this plane , you can just about recognise a Wilga !

[@tycotoys]

That plane does beautiful ground loops.

[@mike_oe]

"I don't need moch sleep" Seems that Mike himself is kinda turbocharged :) Amazing achievement

[@davidmorgan858]

Awesome plane think for sharing some insight about it.

[@nnnvp]

Most beauty Wilga

[@steveo1kinevo]

I love Best Tugs! I don’t need one but I think it would be fun.

[@smartycummins2500]

steveo1kinevo dude, do it! You could talk the company into getting one for the TBM!

[@sirsparv6427]

You could race with it in nascar

[@syx3s]

yeah, I want one just to ride around on in my house, bring the garbage out, etc.. it need to be all spiffy with carbon fiber and whatnot as well. first step: get a tug. second step: one day afford to get a plane.

[@mcearl8073]

steveo1kinevo There’s a Chinese massage parlor around here that sell them for around 80 bucks.

[@BrianMcNay]

This years Airventure should have been named The Drago Show

[@53glowe]

Brian McNay It's Draco man...not Drago😬

[@TheAvenstar]

Mike seems like a genuinely nice guy. I know he eventually totaled this aircraft; but he walked away, and that's the important thing. Perhaps that low speed, zero altitude crash is what saved his life!

[@attitudesimulations7667]

I'm making this for a popular flight simulator so all can enjoy this incredible machine!

[@attitudesimulations7667]

I would love to finish it that fast. Yes it is for X plane. I am traveling to meet with the generous Mike Patey at the end of the month so that I can get all the data I need to make this as realistic as possible. The most difficult aspect is the G3000 which I think If we want to release it this year we will have to settle for a G1000 system and work on the G3000 over time...Great idea for a sermon.

[@peanuts2105]

What a guy. Inspirational

[@ctb2814]

He lives the life we all envy for. At least i can have some pleasure watching his.

[@Semperitus]

Draco is built on the basis of a Polish airplane PZL 104 Wilga. Wilga is the Polish name of the bird golden oriole. PZL 104 was constructed in 1960, with first flight in 24 April 1962. Three engines were used in the oriole: 1) russian radial AI-14R, 2)Continental O-470 and at the end of production 3) Lycoming IO-720. In 2001, the company PZL became part of the EADS Group (EADS Casa, currently Airbus Military). In 2008 the last aircraft PZL 104MN was produced.

[@ctb2814]

I guess it like a Ford looks like a Chevy that looks like Dodge that looks like aToyotaa.........

[@TraderJam1]

Love this guy such a straight shooter

[@TheRebelOne.]

As all the previous comments state you MUST watch the superb build of Mike's plane on his KZbin channel. It will inspire you especially if you are into aircraft and whats really special about thus build is that Mike fabricates all the parts himself...! Well....what are you waiting for?

[@nngh]

You wouldn't even need to be interested in planes to be amazed by him

[@dennis8445]

Best plane ever built. Except for fuel mileage. Draco could land at a gas station. Thanks for sharing Mike.

[@ZZz3rDeYezZZ]

I was standing right there when you guys were filming this. :)

[@FlyersDistrict]

I can relate to the no needing sleep thing. I hate sleeping is such a waste of time

[@rconger24]

Livin' my dream !

[@cortneyholt]

allot of money that man has

[@ryanschaff123]

A lot of money that man has earned

[@charlesbennett9461]

Only in America baby 👍

[@christopherpardell4418]

Bistopepmol bunch of Yoda’s this thread has.

[@triblues7065]

to be like him, i want. 😉

[@bigredc222]

America is still the land of opportunity.

[@dickiedick100]

I found this plane so beautifull. The modern Fieschler Storch. ♥️

[@deeanna8448]

I can't believe Draco is gone 😭

[@kirdazemar6931]

Mike Patey is a real life tone starks awsome planes awsome guy!!!

[@fendyrenee315]

Love you guys...

[@DanielMorales-dz4nv]

That plane is a real gem.

[@yuniorprades3023]

Yeap this design is showing it is the most safe one👏👏🤝

[@princechilling1118]

Beautiful!🙂

[@superbmediacontentcreator]

Best profile I've seen so far...

[@dukainmanning7246]

How can anyone give this a thumbs down? Balancing work, family and everyday life. Everyone can learn something from #mikepatey. God Bless

[@elWieslaw]

PZL - 104 "WIlga" (read - vilgha) eng.- "Oriole". A plane of Polish construction, designed for training flights and dispositional. A simple and metal construction made him an airplane "for everything".

[@chadchuck]

Great twin story.

[@lordbrucelondonuk7304]

Wonderful Stuff

[@ApoTroll]

My local brothel advertizes with 'best tugs' :D

[@scottpatterson4105]

ApoTroll And more useful 🤗

[@ZZz3rDeYezZZ]

ApoTroll 😂

[@7775Kevin]

Wow that is an impressive guy

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

Mike is one of those guys who is a hero of mine. Most people's hero's are Michael Jordan, Tom Cruise, LeBron James or some other athlete/movie star/rock star. Not me. My hero's are doctors, scientist, entrepreneurs, teachers and anyone who is improving humankind. If my sons grow up to be like Mike, I am content.

[@igorcappellin377]

Mike e Draco n°1 👍🏻

[@andrecpu]

Super cool!

[@fleursworkshop1453]

a Draco RC kit would be sweet :D

[@jamesmoshier1005]

Mike, i really love what you do. I think your wingtip design might have more to do with the crash than what you think

[@bunchaducksonthewall]

People like this make me feel like I am a different species of human. That only took him 5 months?.. I envy those who can work like that and not lose their mind

[@warpartyattheoutpost4987]

Mike Patey's lack of a need to sleep much gives him a big advantage. Napoleon also only needed 3 to 4 hours of sleep.

[@bogdanb4337]

Hello there,You know i can watchit all the way around ,your awzsome plane ,regards from Poland ,i live ner by factory ,where they biuld the Wilga,Beatyfull!!!!!- your Draco!

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Way cool! I wonder what the flight capabilities are.

[@avoidingtrees6692]

Even France loves this airplane. Cheers America.

[@britob7467]

Fabuloso

[@ninaangelamckissockauthor2345]

Where are men like this? They admit their mistakes, passionate about flying, can't stop talking about flying and love adventure. Where, oh where are they?

[@Kev376]

It was a really cool plane..

[@bennettt4404]

"On the weekends I do 20, 22 hour days straight, I only need like 3 or 4 hours of sleep" - This guy is super human! lol

[@micaellyaraujo403]

Muito bonito o avião

[@user-kq4rl6tk5v]

A good project Wilga 35 with motor 800 forces! It should vertically to fly!

[@nunyabizness199]

Pardon my French, but what in the hell am I looking at 😳 That "plane" is amazing ! Some folks in Alaska would like to have one of those...

[@jacobneudorf2203]

I love tihs chanel

[@trangoadvisory]

I'm a pilot with thousands of hours flying in the Sierra Nevada mountains, yet I am seriously jealous.

[@mitseraffej5812]

I’m a airline pilot with kazilions of hours flying stupid people that don’t need to fly on their stupid holidays( there are a few I guess that have a genuine reason to travel) watching a stupid auto pilot ( still much smarter than me) steer an admittedly magnificent machine( usually at night) while my life evaporates. I’m more than jealous. All I do in what spare time I do have is sleep. Mike and his brother are super human and should be commanded by the one world government to have at least two thousand children each. Those sort of genes must be spread far and wide if humanity has any chance of survival. I think my job as made me a bitter old prick.

[@pilotintraining2391]

Mit Seraffej i work at YOW Ottawa airport and a lot of the commercial pilots I talk to have the same attitude, that's why I'm in ground school for my private so I can put the hours in and one day do an experimental build of my own. Just keep flying and stay happy. Aviation is an amazing thing humans have utilized.

[@cheekcj]

Mit Seraffej I get you. We are the ones paving the way.

[@noeararateararate4634]

I need one of this...

[@tighematthew]

Awesome

[@LuizCma]

Very good vídeo, Brasil ok.

[@ZZz3rDeYezZZ]

Uploading a video today of the Oshkosh 18' night show highlights. If allowed, can I post a link in the comments?

[@johntaylor346]

I want one now.

[@Astinsan]

The Draco is my favorite airframe.. the most efficient bush plane ever made.

[@sventistvan9442]

i would buy a tug just to pull the car.......what a dynamic set of twins!

[@gandanglily1]

they got plenty of money and great family

[@bellazuniga993]

Wonder what parts may get put into Scrappy?

[@50kT]

Man.. I've always been a person who needs 7-8 hours to feel good the next day, but damn I need to sleep less and get more done..

[@elcreador6675]

Excelente🇩🇴🇩🇴🌎

[@mqbitsko25]

Hard work, Type A personality.....and a bit of luck. Presto! God Bless America. (And whoever made that plane in the first place. Poland?)

[@Nugglashine]

man this guy has all the toys $$

[@havadatequila]

Let's see how cheery and positive Job is when God takes it all away.