How to Grab a wingtip in Flight 🤓 (DRACO Video 18)

Draco loves pushing limits! Friends are grabbing my wingtips while in flight. Let’s do it safe or not at all! 👍🤠 Learn some of the many ways that we prepare for stunts and fun, flying. *As always, there is so much more planning and prep work that went into this that wasn’t captured on camera. Enjoy and fly safe.
King Air Landing Footage from The HDAviation
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[@tomburton1037]

On December 17, 1903 the Wright brothers made the first flight. I wonder if Orville said to Wilbur, "I say Wilbur, I'll bet in a 115 years or so there'll be some crazy people jumping out of one air vehicle and grabbing a hold of another air vehicle. What say you?"

[@dougbourdo2589]

I am certain that is Exactly what Orville said !!!

[@alexenns3203]

I was thinking the same thing well I was watching

[@dannymathia45]

Orville and Wilbur would be proud!!!

[@ryanstreuli8667]

Never Gonnatell I don't know about that though. They got lucky on stumbling upon the air foil. There were many other people in France and Europe that were close to having working planes as well a lot closer to what we have today than what the Wright brothers had.

[@erictaylor5462]

I wonder what they would thing if you told them, "In 66 years these planes will be flying at 2000 MPH at over 100000 feet, and men will be walking on the moon. Think about *THAT* sports fans. Within just 1 human lifetime, humans went from the first powered flight to landing on the moon. I met a guy who, when he was 8 saw Wilder and Orville flying their plane at a fair in 1904, then at the age of 86, he flew from London to New York on Concorde at 1200 MPH. That to me, is the most mind blowing.

[@jasfrolich9973]

Mike, thank you for explaining all the planning, trials and the brain storming that you and the team did to complete the task. Includig the FAA in the mix,. Great video.

[@raylars752]

... maybe with the plane being nose heavy , it acted more like a dart

[@AussieMaleTuber]

Hi again Mike. It isn't so much the doing this 🎥 that wins the hearts and minds of the observer, it is the explanation 🎩 of how it was done (that... does it) 🎬! Outstanding!

[@Aseutester]

Hear hear!

[@danieltakawi9919]

I honestly would not mind if he put more of the data and mathematics that he talked about, I'm sure I'm not the only one. Absolutely Amazing.

[@caseyjohnsoification]

Your ability to think outside the box and make the impossible possible blows my mind. Your work ethic and refusal to accept that anything is unattainable... Some of the most inspiring content on the internet. Super excited to see more scrappy videos as well as everything else you put together. Thank you.

[@PB-oe7id]

This was insane Mike!!! This should be on discovery channel absolutely insane stunt well done everyone!!!

[@buzzyfuzzsaw]

Yes it certainly does. To be sure, this would make an outstanding full-length documentary.

[@heybja]

meh, Discovery channel and cable tv are dying, and almost dead... I'll take on demand, free online streaming... much better than 20 minutes of content with 40 minutes of commercials..

[@ctsteve1967]

I love his videos But Mike will kill himself or someone else. Mike is reckless, and keeps looking to be the center of his world all the time. He just cannot help himself. Good Pilot with OCD and to much money. I predict within 1 year something bad will happen. Good luck sir and stay safe. keep building and having fun while you can..

[@paulherder5356]

This gives an all new meaning to the term "Wing Man" :)

[@McGyver777ATGMAIL]

This turned out to be Draco's Magnum Opus, and what a thing to see. She will be remembered and missed, what a beauty she was. RIP Draco, in your demise your pilot and passengers lived, you were the perfect little plane. Fly in that other realm reserved for the little guys that gave their all to be greater than all.

[@UncleRyansToyReviews]

McGyver777ATGMAIL I was so sad when I saw what happened yesterday. I couldn’t help bu smile through this entire video though!

[@robwoodall8425]

Here, here.

[@hancynunez8038]

Mike Patey is the Christian von Koenigsegg of the airplane world!

[@nicholaswoodhams]

100% kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqLZkoJvjtV_Z68

[@DrKoCar]

My thoughts exactly! :D

[@alfdriss]

Conclusion: no need of hair of scalp to make great things! ;D

[@MaartenOosterbaan]

Damn dude thats a good comparison!

[@MaartenOosterbaan]

@@DrKoCar wellll the scalp is still pretty important...would go sideways pretty quick if you don't have skin on your head...

[@Uncle-Duncan-Shack]

Congrats on pulling the stunt off. Really happy for the pilots who got to experience this, it's a special moment. Thanks for sharing, Blue skies! Duncan

[@rogerhaynes2661]

Draco is officially the coolest plane ever

[@stevegromak887]

Thanks Mike for sharing the inside story, it goes a long way to show the engineering and planning of something like this, totally badass everyone involved!

[@flyingrandpa5989]

And this is another reason my MOM won't let me play with you guys...your all effin nutzzzzz....Great Job.

[@flycory]

This was fun. I can't wait to show them what we've done since this! (*this was last fall!)

[@tyler_russell]

Crazy! I love it.

[@tsufordman]

Seeing that AOA on Draco takes some of the magic out of wing suits. Thank you, another excellent job well done!

[@randyporter3491]

This may be the craziest and absolutely BEST video I’ve ever watched !! Thanks for sharing the details, instead of just posting video of the success flight. Been a pilot over 25 years and I totally bow to greatness - Amazing !

[@tonystuart2]

Mike, I could write pages about what I've learned from you, but brevity is the soul of wit. You inspire. You inspire me to be more than I am. Thank you brother! "Back to work!"

[@ourradioactiveworld11]

That was one of the coolest things I've ever seen! Way impressed with your engineering approach and attention to safety. Keep up the great work.

[@AttilaAsztalos]

"So how would you feel about closely approaching a blender with wings while flying in your wing suit...?" "Meh, boooring. Let's at least make that plane nearly uncontrollable while we do it..."

[@jonhill9564]

👌🤣

[@coolgabsi]

I have said this before and I say this again.. IRON MAN! This is some action movie stuff right here.. things that are made on computer graphics, being done in real life.. . This gave me chills..

[@mattcohen2938]

Kudos. The skill set, understanding of their craft and the successful execution, is a testament to the abilities of all parties involved. Personally, I can only imagine that Mr. Patey, and his team, would have pulled the plug had they not thought it through and come to a safe outcome. Given the unfortunate passing of Draco, this is sure to be a fond memory of a plane that had uncountable hrs, love and and a ungodly amount of custom engineering put in to it. I can only hope that scrappy can enjoy the same. Keep 'me coming, Mr. Patey.

[@ozziepilot2899]

Wow, now that's flying with adrenaline, can't wait to the next video thanks to everyone for sharing this awesome experience :) cheers from Aussie

[@7up3down32]

Absolutely AMAZING GUYS. Phenomenal job piloting from everyone! Keep it coming!!

[@Cytogreg]

You guys are incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!! My Grandfather was one of the first ten men to jump out of a plane for the Marines way back in the day and I bet he never ever dreamed of anything like that. Keep flying and keep living. God has sure given you all some tremendous abilities. Thank you for sharing with us!

[@aaronokimoore]

Mike, huge thumbs up for sharing the behind the scenes on this. I know you guys talked about adding safety stuff at your OSH talks, and its awesome to see what you put together. Not only is it interesting, but it shows the complexity and all the work that went into getting that awesome shot. Thanks for sharing the whole thought process and looking forward to what you guys do next.

[@airplanegeorge]

"don't try this!" great advice. you have my word . Draco is one bad ass machine!

[@frequentfly3r571]

Aaaaw Maaaaan so flippen cool and im so dam jealous from a skydiving and piloting perspective.. Love your work Mike .

[@TheMarcball]

Love it, chief! Love most of all the time you take to get into the math frame of the challenge. That shows full respect for the brains of your audience. Thanks for the inspiration and keep on trucking (from France)!

[@rhondohslade]

I absolutely 💯% agree with your sentiments. He never has talked down to his audience in the videos I've seen. I suspect that he never will.

[@guitardavepdx]

That's insanely cool!!! Mr. Patey it is so fun to see you get so excited about this stuff and the time and effort you put in to do this safely says volumes about who you are and we need more like you. One heckuva job piloting as well.

[@oldnepalihippie]

So sorry for your loss of Draco today... that was one amazing plane! Look forward to Scrappy vids in the future. Best, jigs

[@dklord1]

I’m very inspired by the talent, dedication and dreams of these men that accomplished this feat. Outstanding, Mike and the wingsuit flyers.

[@iamf6641]

next up they are going to board the plane midair.

[@billhart9832]

Calculated extreme flying, not crazy! Thanks for going thru the meticulous planning process, being 100% professional and transparent with the FAA. They're going to have to open an office just for you! What a team!

[@randyvanvliet226]

Mike, love the way you go through all the physics, calculations and options /scenario's BEFORE you put the limits to the test. Calculated risk is not a gamble... Well done, exceptionally cool stunt by you and your extended team.

[@brittanydoyon1762]

I have to say, Draco is the coolest plane ever! 😍

[@blakehook2767]

99% of people would have quit and believed it wasn't possible. Your intelligence, creativity and determination made it happen. Thanks for breaking it down and giving us a glimpse of how inspiring people like you tick.

[@randyschock7374]

I know absolutely nothing about planes or flying, and I LOVE watching Mike's videos. He is extremely knowledgable about all the mechanics of flying and planes. I've been learning from him. Hopefully to take my pilots license some day. Thanks for great videos! They are appreciated.

[@kikkerbare]

awesome video, what a unbelievible stunt, true daredevils! great fun to watch, even loved the the music, great job guys!

[@TelecomsHelper]

You rock mike, that was insanely cool.. good job..NOW BACK TO WORK 💪

[@angelreading5098]

The skills involved in pulling this off,Mike you are a living legend ! Draco goes into annals of aviation history,brilliant flying and that means those bird men too !

[@artd.]

I have been in aviation for 60+ years and this is the best I have seen. Utterly amazing and well planed out!

[@josiatokirina1788]

Amazing! Can't wait to see the next James Bond movie with this stunt in it. Stay safe!

[@mntbighker]

My thoughts EXACTLY. That or Mission Impossible. Just please NOT Tom Cruise. So Idris Elba then? ;-)

[@shananagans5]

Or have Bond jump out of one aircraft in a daring escape, fly a little in a wingsuit and then hook up with, and climb into another aircraft to complete his escape. Maybe that's what DB Cooper did. lol

[@TesserId]

I was about the make the same comment, and realized someone must have said it first.

[@Crown1979]

Absolutely awesome. Greetings from Germany!

[@BernieDiaz]

Holy crap!!!! I've never been more excited watching a KZbin video ever before like this one! Insane. Awesome. Incredible. I saved it to watch over and over again.

[@glenn.duffind2695]

Soo Kool!.... It is amazing what fun thinks can be done with the right airplane. And done over where I work, on a day with cars in the parking lot, with my scanner on the airport feq, and I never heard it!... Draco can sneak out of its lair and fly away and I miss the show.... One day I may catch the launch!... Thanks for taking us all along for the ride.... Flying is Fun!!...

[@doren8491]

What an incredible batch of FLYING!!! Talk about seat of the pants!

[@johnfife3062]

You've got me cheering at the computer screen! More! More! More!

[@flyingtigers7856]

Wow.... Just wow!! Congratulations to all involved! For coming up with the concept and then making it happen. Inspiring, phenomenal, just awesome! Love you guys, and thank you...

[@TheDave6vi6]

I have heard people constantly use the word “Epic” when commenting on videos that are even close to what the word means. Finally a video that defines the word “Narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary hero.” Mike you and your team are legendary. Displaying a performance of an unequaled stunt that was poetic to watch & listen to. I can’t wait for the next one.

[@rhondohslade]

Finally! This is the first time I've seen/heard anyone who knows what the true meaning of the word 'epic' is. How refreshing. It seems everyone else uses the word to sound cool and pretend to have intellect; like the time I saw a woman in a television advertisement describing a meal as "epic". It still rankles me to remember that. Bravo, Sir!

[@snsfabricating]

OMG!!! WTF!!! Why is this not on every major new outlet LIVE?!!! There's cool, there's Cat Daddy Cool & now there's PATEY COOL!!!

[@autophile525i]

Sounds like Draco needs a T-tail! Awesome work, thanks for sharing.

[@danielmoss2394]

Incredible. Beyond crazy, but absolutely incredible! What a plane, what pilots, great video. Thanks for all the fun Mike.

[@doycowzintexas1672]

I love to listen to Mike talk ,,,he seems like a great guy to just hang with,,, I bet he is a good friend to have around

[@MilitaryAIWorks100]

Glad to see you guys do this the right way, very cool result!

[@seanryan7895]

It's hard to keep the back to work philosophy going when one of Your videos come out. I drop everything to watch it. Nice watching professionals in action.

[@ThatBobGuy850]

Unreal! The stunt was bad-ass enough, for sure! But Mike's explanation of how they did it was awesome! His enthusiasm for flying and trying new things comes shining through. Well done!

[@cougarnorge]

Mike, you aren't pushing the limits of aviation, you are creating new limits !!! Fantastic, amazing - and the fact that you really know what's going on and explain it to us give this stunt a very special place in aviation. Please stay safe. Respectful regards, Bengt Sandgren from Norway

[@DavidHarrison412294]

this is one of the coolest coolest video so far. All Draco vids are awesome Ofcourse :) way to go Mike!

[@askeletonsdaisy2440]

"going the wrong direction in front of the plane" lol! This is too cool!

[@sandyt4343]

Such a sad thing to see the loss of such an incredible aircraft. I’m glad nobody was hurt. I really like mikes videos, he seems to be a very cool guy and a totally decent person which is so rare and such a breath of fresh air

[@dougarroyo794]

Nice work Mike and team! love the scientific method and admire your bravery and skills for being able to pilot Draco under extreme conditions. I look forward to your next challenge and hope to see you at Reno in a few weeks.

[@JohnVeitch1]

Dos Equis beer - This is the most interesting man in the world!! WE NEED MORE CONTENT!!!!!!!!! Please have someone record you more!

[@YardLimit]

Every time you post a video I can't believe that it exceeded every other video you've made. Yet here you go!

[@XCougar85X]

Tbh when i first saw Drako and Mike on a YT vid a while ago, i didn't think much of it. Mostly like some crazyy aircowboys making cool stuff. But after this, well i am a new sub. This stuff is just exemplaric (is that a word even). Showing how thoroughly you guys worked, getting the FAA in on it, safefty zones and taking the time to really do this in a safe as possible manner, and then fliming it all at the same time and getting something this crazy and "impossible" actually done. Not going to lie i am smiling here from ear to ear because you guys are some crazy geniouses. Thank you for this great explanation and sharing this and just doing this in general. Great stuff.

[@VonSpinx]

Just wow. Been following for a long time and new innovations in flight maneuvers are few and far between. Incredible!

[@tileman1814]

Geez Mike!!! Sometimes I think you guys have gone full tilt bozo! God bless buddy,stay safe!!

[@scrappyjackalope9558]

Cool video, but you are one of many now to use reverse with a turbo prop. I have personally been with a pilot doing it. I road with my daughters skydive pilot and the moment everyone cleared the plane he would go straight down with reverse... Absolutely straight down and land so we could watch the skydivers land. A life time of flying myself and it was a weird sensation doing it. Fun stuff. Even got a few pictures taken by the divers showing the plane going straight down in the back ground. Fun stuff

[@michellonergan8517]

Bunch of talented peoples and lot's of budget great job boys play safe, thank you for shearing your passion.

[@shoop4040]

ALRIGHT< ALRIGHT< I would like to add the skill of the pilot and wingsuit pilots. Math aside you still need the great precision of everyone involved to make it happen. This was a great team effort and also amazing planning. I just recently had a pleasure to Watch Mike & Draco in person at the fly-in in Livermore CA. I am not a pilot I love to watch how men and women are great at what they do in aviation. To every single one of you stay safe and continue to have the time of your life.

[@bigswede53]

Sad to see Draco was damaged if not totaled at Reno today. Watching Mike work is fantastic. Hopefully this won’t dampen his enthusiasm.

[@UncleRyansToyReviews]

Karl Lindstrom I echo this. Keep killing it Mike! 🙏🏻

[@billrandell4641]

Damn Mike!!...That was some serious 1920's Barnstormer S#@t!!!...Well done buddy!!

[@marcwire9332]

Stepping up the game...next time.....Inverted!! Amazing to watch that all come together, that was some of the most skilled flying I have watched so far, respect to all involved. I look forward to more vids to come.

[@Racerman27410]

just incredible flying by everyone involved....of course nothing less than first class planning and execution from a project that includes Mike Patey ... great video!

[@TurkishKB]

Get outta town, get right outta town! Y'all are working on a time travel contraption. You disguised it as a bush plane.

[@JamminJere]

Epic plane. Epic piloting. Go viral. 😜👍

[@benth162]

Well done gentlemen, well done indeed ! I have been watching DRACO since I first saw the video of you at Oshkosh. a year or two ago.

[@Catdore]

Boy that is some flying there ! Draco in reverse prop becomes the Wright Flyer, with rudders and elevator in front ! The blast of power not only restores tail control but brings lift back into the equation. The reverse blast over the wing (roots) keeps the wings flying, because the 85 mph airspeed does not. When a jumper grabs the wingtip, with only the wing roots producing lift, he could easily induce a roll. This is no mere stunt - this is a feat !

[@fobmsg]

I m a simple man, when I see Draco I click like 👌

[@patbarrett9263]

And all I want to do is fly to see my kids,you are effin' crazy, I don't know what the wingsuit guys are on, but, they are way beyond crazy

[@labeachgeek]

@Pat Barrett They are 'Bat crap crazy' and a little 'squirrelly'. 😉

[@bujablaster]

So ... Almost the Porter ;). Great video! I can imagine evening beer party was like nothing before in your lives, both for you and skydivers. AWESOME!!!

[@rhondohslade]

Mike, this is one of the most astounding and informative videos it has ever been my pleasure to view. Absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Good luck with all the future endeavors which you and your family undertake. 💯👍

[@JohnnyFaber]

Chuck Yeager and Evil Knievel would be proud. Chuck Norris would be Jealous.

[@Sonos45]

Chuck Norris might accidentally rip the wing off.

[@robertjones1543]

Well it sounds like somebody's yellous anyway

[@keithjurena9319]

NASA used a Gulfstream modified so reversers could be deployed in flight to simulate the sink rate of STS for training.

[@erichhartmann1]

The C-17 and C-5 are both able to perform reverse thrust in flight as well. The C-17 can reverse all engines and the C-5 can reverse it's two inboard engines - the ones closest to the fuselage.

[@jeansw1]

I did a jump out of a Porter Pilatus once. The pilot said he’d always use reverse on a busy day when he has do a lot of drops. It’s the fasted way to lose height.

[@hamishdavidson3368]

Nikki Laudas 767 had a reverser deploy inflight it disintegrated inflight everyone lost their lives. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauda_Air_Flight_004

[@JankyShack]

Yea, but those planes have the engines on the sides so it doesn't totally blank out the control surfaces like a single engine.

[@darrenbarclay4833]

@@jeansw1 that's what they do in new Zealand with the meat bombers just stand her on it's nose nothing new

[@schwags1969]

That was a very cool stunt, it worked...I love it when a plan comes together, that is Face A-Team quote. Well done!

[@benjibob9856]

Mike Patey that was awesome! Didn’t expect to see this. I’m so thankful there are people like you advancing aviation and doing the unthinkable! I think it would be cool if you could tow a wingsuitist and gain altitude, maybe make some shallow turns too! We all know if your going to do something your going to do it right, so keep making the awesome videos!

[@RCnerd74]

All the background information made this video even more exciting. Very well done Mike!

[@AviationNut]

You guy's are crazy, but the good kind of crazy. Stay safe out there my friend.

[@Sabotage_Labs]

Insane+aweome=insanely awesome! Only Draco baby! Can't wait to see her fly again! Wingsuits look like too much bloody fun! Just don't belly land eh!

[@Flightstar]

Finally someone has definitely answered the reverse thrust in flight question. Fantastic! I was always curious because when similar stunts using the PC6 Porter The plane is near vertical,, and always wondered how they did that. I believe that a drogue chute may be used in that instance. Then there's the stunt where the wing suit flyers get back into the bloody aircraft again.

[@jacksontenhave7959]

What a ridiculously crazy amazing stunt! You should do a partnership with Red Bull, I'm sure they could come up with more awesome ideas like this one.

[@7983jj]

Ladies and gentlemen, proximity flying has now reached a whole new level!

[@steavenmckenzie5563]

I'll never forget when you told me this story. Love it!! Thank you for your great and thorough explanation on why something this crazy works! lol!

[@yellowmartian]

How do I always miss you guys? I do flight training at KSPK, I'm there all the time! Haha great video.

[@DreadnautVS]

So this is why we had to get the new Draco logo done overnight! =)

[@sonnicman]

MIke, that was by far one of the coolest maneuvers I have EVER seen. Well done guys, well done!

[@markcorboy8528]

That was the most awesome feat of intelligence and skill and rediculacness I have ever seen. So cool to even achieve this. Well done team.

[@texastyrannyresponseteam794]

Baltimore, they say, is the armpit of america.. but Utah is where the BALLS are... Draco/Patey is a winning combo....

[@edfrawley4356]

Fast forward 3 weeks..... RIP Draco. Thankfully Mike is ok after a case of havetogetthereitis.

[@texastyrannyresponseteam794]

@@edfrawley4356 I know... very sad the loss of a very special one of a kind plane.. glad they are all OK... goes to show, even good pilots make bad decisions..

[@edfrawley4356]

@@texastyrannyresponseteam794 I have little doubt that he will rebuild Draco but time will tell.

[@texastyrannyresponseteam794]

@@edfrawley4356 I hope so..

[@beckymurray2261]

I wood guess movie stunts r in ur future! U'r plane is amazing

[@stevecraig3004]

I'll bet somewhere there's a movie director watching this and drooling... This is beyond spectacular. Beyond hair-raising. Mind-blowing.

[@richardbates4120]

Awesome! Thanks for the detailed and interesting explanation on how you pulled this off for us land based folk 👍🙏👌😎

[@Loglakeliving]

I appreciate the long intro to educate us regarding just how dissimilar ANY other airplane in the word, (except Draco!), is to a wing suit. First time evvver!! Congratulations.

[@ezmosco-]

No. 10!

[@Nigel2Zoom]

"We gotta do something cool with your airplane!" The aviation equivalent of "Here, hold my beer!"