I'm a beginner tin horn but what happened to him wasn't really a ground loop right? Similar but he was actually off the ground when the bad gust got him if I remember right?
I'm hoping he rehashes a redesign of the ( WINGSPUR) with a new video. He once mentioned a video. I truly believe that had it a angled wing cup on that outer edge instead of the "stinger" it would not have stopped absorbing, causing catastrophic failure and resulting sidewrap.. Flip? Sure. Strut failure?... I don't believe that is 100%
Im a carpenter from southern British Columbia and love your show. My grandfather was a flight instructor for WW2 pilots and flew bush planes for years post war. Somehow draco popped up in my feed and I been hooked ever since. You have an incredible array of skills and resources, keep it up guys like you advance tech fast AF.🇨🇦
Passion, drive, enthusiasm, love, intelligence, imagination and of course money can produce some amazing things. This is textbook of all those things combined. Not only that, but we mere mortals can learn and understand what's going on when things are explained so well. I feel like I just left a self improvement seminar.
I pegged you for a German car fan. Love your work. Living vicariously through videos after blowing my knee out in a mountain bike accident. You, Trent Palmer, and Shark Week are keeping me motivated. Fly safe.
I have been binge watching the DRACO build series since yesterday. I have watched many videos of the finished product in action. I decided to check this out because of an Executive talk you brother Mark made. You are two of the most impressive people I have come across in my lifetime (I'm a retired). My goal is to meet the both of you before I'm called away. God bless you both.
Mike...your skills in fabrication are incredible. Spent 25 years in the space industry with some awesome engineers, if only we had your skills we might still be flying the Shuttles. I LIKED IT.
I can't stop watching this guy! When you combine passion, love, enthusiasm, technical know-how, imagination, and a lot of money, you can achieve anything. And that is what you have here
Mike, you are a huge inspiration.... we all have to start somewhere... I think I'm going to go and get a Sport Pilot's License as a starter, and buy something with a 912is in it. Your ingenuity is what makes America Great.
That is a great idea! Having these on your wing tips is like having a real chance to prevent an otherwise-inevitable “train wreck” before it ends in disaster.
You are now my favourite channel. Dare I ask that you do a time lapse on some of your most intricate work 'cause I damn well love all that you do. Thanks a million for your effort, it doesn't go amiss. Pete IOW UK.
OK so I just got my KitFox 7 a little over a month ago and the idea of ground-looping has haunted me every night since! So I’m in LOVE with the whole “Stinger” concept. I would like to be your first KitFox customer! I’ll even volunteer my airplane as the jig/test-bed for the initial prototype KitFox Stingers! What a terrific idea. Oh, and DRACO is one weird, wild, crazy cool bird. Enjoy all the attention it’s gonna get at Oshkosh - you’ve definitely earned it!
I love this whole series of videos on the Wilga. Thank you Mr. Patey for taking the time to produce this amazing content. I don't have an airplane, but the attention to detail and engineering that goes into them has always fascinated me. I hope to one day at least go out and get some introductory flight lessons or gliding lessons. Thanks Again!
This is why we do this! Airports can look formidable with the gates and fencing, but really, we tend to be a bunch of nice guys, flying does that to ya! Try to get involved in your local airport, you will be amazed at what opportunities you will find!
Hi Mike. Not officially a pilot, but I've always been a huge Wilga fan. Love the ruggedness of this plane as flown on flight sim, ( I do have about 40 hours on a C-152 / C-172 real plane, real time) and this has always been one of my favorites to fly on Flight sim. I remember reading about Wilgas in Magazines like "Flying" and "Plane and Pilot" and such. There was a dealer here in Ontario at the Lindsay airport that sold them and I always thought I'd love to have that plane one day. Sad to say, they stopped making them. To me the plane is "Hummer ugly" which makes it so very cool. It looks tough and like it means business which it does. Been following your conversion to PT-6 from the start, and let me tell you, you make me want one more than ever. Thanks for posting, and please don't stop. I love your videos including scenes from when it was a Wilga 2000. Dying to see more back country flying when it's done and you know more about what it can actually do with that lovely turbine engine up front.
Mike... your story, background, work ethic, etc. I'm blown away. You're truly an inspiration. I forget how I first came across you and your brother while browsing the web but I think it probably had something to do with Turbulence. Since I discovered what ya'll are all about I can't stop reading/watching! My grandfather was a pilot trainer in WWII. My dad built custom cabinets and taught me that there wasn't a single thing that I couldn't fix or build if I wanted to. I got hooked on aviation myself as a kid and after driving trucks, becoming a manufacturing engineer, and then a quality manager at an aerospace machining company I finally got my ppl. I used to program parts on old Fadal 4020s and an 8030 too! Keep doing what you're doing! I love it.
Great video Mike. I hope you take DRACO out one night and show us what all those lights are going to look like. You put a huge amount of effort into it. Good luck!
Your Passion is completely understandable your ingenuity and detail with the ability to explain in layman's terms is truly Applaudable well done and some of your machines are mind blowing I could only dream of your kind of workshop your an AMAZING HUMAN
Feel free to add more content and details to your videos, I like to see it all. When it skips steps I find myself wishing you included it all. Anyway thanks for the effort and content, I love it and cant get enough.
What’s there to say that hasn’t been said about your builds ? Your an artist of creating. It looks like you live the Life of Riley and then some. It’s fun to watch you build and create. You truly are one in a Billion, or more. Thanks for letting us in. Personally I want to see onboard videos. You have the platforms to use. Let’s see them. Please
I love your infectious positive energy. I am a new subscriber because of what I saw on Trent Palmer’s channel. Can’t wait to see more. Thanks for sharing
HI Mike, very nice video. I realize I'm quite late to the dance. I'd like to hope you'd look into joining us at the Society for Aerospace Engineers. Not sure and don't care if you've actually an applied degree...You are producing and documenting what so many of us dream about. Freedom, excellence, and testing. I'm scratching the surface here, but Great job Brother.
You're the man Mike! Thank god you said these videos aren't done, because I find them the most interesting aviation videos on the tube. Please keep it up! I anxiously look forward to the next one every time!
I saw you at OSH last year. I was awe-struck. Now I am binge watching your videos (after binge watching Trent Palmer’s). Your enthusiasm is contagious. You (and your videos) are what we need to make aviation grow. (I feel like you do, but have never expressed like you do.) Thanks Mike!
The ideas you have, the ability to build all that stuff on you own and that insane love to the details you have are absolutly crazy! Here is one happy guy living the dream! Keep up those great videos!
Been watching since video #1 I can't get enough, It's awesome to see how nothing stops or slows you down. (I Don't have it? I can't get it? so I'll just make it, type attitude) I've always had the same philosophy, why have someone make it or do it for you? They learned how to do it so why can't I as well? In the end you pick up a new skill, save time and money. Plus in the end the job is done the way you wanted it, not someone's interpretation of your description. Not to mention the personal satisfaction of the completed job. Aviation needs more people like you, a Jack of all trades.
as an young AVS tech who isn't going to have kids. you have inspired me to build my own bush plane one day. I can't wait until I can nerd out on my own avionics and wiring some day. thanks for the inspiration!! just gotta befriend some ACS guys to help me with the carbon and machining and painting :P
All your upgrades definitely make "Wilga Beast" much more appropriate! Can't wait to see Draco take to the skies and the Backcountry! Beautiful work as always, Mr. Patey!
OMG. This is amazing man. Your workmanship and knowledge is second only to your enthusiasm. Wow. Unfortunately no Wilga owner is ever gonna be satisfied with their stock bird again! Can’t wait to see this thug fly. If you ever get down to Lake Havasu I’m buying lunch!
Wow Mike you are a true inspiration to me!! I've been lagging on replacing my truck clutch and after watching your Draco build videos I definitely have no excuse! Your energy and enthusiasm are truly inspiring!!! Thanks and keep pumping out awesome Vlogs!!!
Hi Mike from Namibia! My old man was a pilot (god rest his soul), we did alot together, I learnt to start a DC3 when I was about 15 years old. Anyhows I love flying although I'm not a pilot. The mod Wilga you have created is an absolute masterpiece! Talk about changing something that looked like a moth... and then slowly putting it on steroids... WOW man! You are a genius! You have thought through so much on this aircraft from fuel pumps to protecting your wingtips, lets not forget your TURBOPROP! If I were a pilot, and had some cash lying around... I would humbly ask you to build me one like yours, but that's not going to happen, It's one of a kind, your brainchild, and freeking awesome, one of my new favorite planes! (Draco is the coolest plane I have ever come across )
Understanding aviation dynamics make you a better pilot...Mike is brilliantly talented and a valuable asset to the aviation business...he loves what he's doing and God bless you Mike...awesome stuff man!
You are my new favorite aviation channel, Mark! This video highlights your amazing Engineering skills (and shop full of amazing toys!). Thanks for sharing what you do!
Mike, thank you for the videos! Your enthusiasm and energy is off the charts!!! I look forward to every new video and really enjoy seeing what you come up with next for DRACO. Keep them coming and happy landings.
Watched a lot of build series and videos of custom built aircraft and I can confidently say this is my favorite to watch. The level of engineering, machining and craftsmanship that goes into your builds is mesmerizing, not to mention the great enthusiasm that goes with it. If you ever start manufacturing kit planes (You got the potential), I would totally buy one!
Way back when ( I am nearing 80) a good friend went into aviation as I went into vehicle off-roading. He often attempted to change my direction by offering free pilot training even, but I had no interest in "normal" aviation (had we lived in Alaska it would have been different story). Now, so many years later, I can see where your form of flying could have satisfied every desire that I could have had for non-conventional recreation's excitement and creativity not to mention the camaraderie. So thanks ever so much for sharing here your passion, creativity and enthusiasm, it is all so contagious it almost makes me think I could start all over and join in … :-)
Outstanding work! My dad had just gotten a Cessna 185 within this past month and we've been flying it every day since. That aircraft has spontaneously combusted my desire to start flying. Of course ,as anyone that is excited about something, I start doing as much browsing as I can combing every inch of google and TH-cam looking at off airport related anything. Naturally, I find your channel. Good lord does your excitement radiate! Thank you for taking the time to record, edit, and fabricate these videos while you work on this bitchin' build. KEEP IT UP PLEASE!
Mike---have watched every part with total pleasure. Your dedication, engineering, design, and crafting skills are world-class. Draco is a work of art. Compliments~~~
I am binge watching your whole build! Your enthusiasm is awesome. Thanks so much for taking the time to make these. I hope I can come see you in Oshkosh!
"The passion I have... " and that is the Gold in all of these videos, not the tech know how, money, energy, or expertise but simply the passion that is available to Everyone, which begets all of those things... I need to rekindle mine... Thank You! ❤️🐾
Wow what can I say you have a great personality and you're Technical and mechanical skills are through the roof you are a true asset to Aviation. I watched every single one of your videos and they're all awesome please keep up the work and you are a inspiration to me to learn how to fly even though I'm in my fifties LOL thank you for the videos
I'm somewhat at a loss for words for the thought that went into this project !... ...... I'd like an 8x10 glossy of this for my office wall, ....you are a Flying World Rock Star ya know !!! See ya at Oshkosh !
Mike, you are a wizard with the tooling and design of these planes. Like others have said before, you should do a bio of the educational experience and project experience you have gained building planes etc. thanks for the videos, incredibly well done.
You know it’s a good video when the hair I have left on my head starts to tingle! I can’t wait to get to work on my plane now. So much of what you are doing to Draco is (although on a way bigger scale) is similar to what I’m wanting to do to my little Kitfox. Maybe we will see you at Oshkosh. Good stuff!
Great series Mike, and a beautiful aircraft. Thanks for taking the time to share this with the world. Your enthusiasm and passion for building planes is so entertaining and addictive. Looking forward to more videos!
I've been binge watching your project the last two days and wow I'm so impressed with your design and fabrication skills. Keep up the great work and stay away from the ground loops.
Just stumbled across your videos and I’ve binge watched them all today. You do some incredible work Mike. Thanks so much for sharing, it has been thoroughly entertaining!
Hi Mike, Thanks for another great video. you are a legend. As a mech. Eng. I am pretty amazed by your skills. Viewing the crash It looks like the amount of torque added on this plane was just too much for this plane in a side wind. It looked like the left wheel just immediately went up at takeoff. I can think of two things that might help next time (Probably you thought about them already) one would be to put your collector fuel tank at the wind tip next time - increasing the moment of inertia might help to stabilize the plane ( it can actually also be used to reduce the load on the wing if you want to increase its length. another idea that might help is to make your suspension stiffer when taking off at side winds especially when you are taking off on a runway when you can't take off straight to the wind and there is no much need for the large suspension travel.
yeah. you got that right...diy engineer in youtube..he has all the resources he needs...CAD, CNC machines, composites, etc....just what i dreamed of myself.... he must have tons of money.
In another video he mentions that he actually *WORKS* full time as well. Putting in this kind of time, energy and effort if it's your *only* project is a huge deal and would make anyone proud to accomplish, but to work full time, come home, kiss the wife and start working on it at 7:30 in the evening, working till 3:00 in the morning then getting up to work the next day and then do it all over again....beyond human stamina and enthusiasm. God mode for sure.
Man you are Positive and that can make you impossible to stop ! So HAPPY you are the type of thinker that can reinvent the way of the way we fly ! You start with what's the best design you could find and cannot stop refining that plane . The day you scratch everything handed down you will reinvent as they say the wheel or the airfoil design? Mike think about no Gravity and magnetism Neg- Pos+ and there we have it . My thought is this you have all the tools and the most important Tool in your personal tool Box is your thinking ability and your Optimistic Happy Creative way about you ! Just remember your whole mission is defeating weight or matter against gases in the air . Why do they call it Air force not gravity force ? And you do have artistic value you are a .01% . Not even 1% of humans push the ways of man and his thinking so Infinity and beyond . Food for thought you are creating whom created are home Earth, and the air we breathe and you fly threw ? And humankind are not apes evolving still are we ? You can breakdown the box and reinvent the way we fly ? Try running a program for wind resistance using 7 inch spherical half circle by 3.5 inch deep spaced all along the bottom of your wing and see if it creates an airfoil barrier and lightens your planes resistance. Just a thought.
I've watched and liked a ton of your videos. Your enthusiasm, almost boundless energy, and your genius are quite impressive. Draco turned out fantastic. The Curtiss Jenny had something very similar to your wing tip stinger. Its a great idea. Thanks for sharing the build. I've really enjoyed it.
I can’t wait to see this beast of a plane finished! I must say I admire your positive attitude and excitement. If you approach all aspects off life this way I see why you have been so successful! Now get back to work!!!
Awesome Mike....just awesome. Dooley told me it was done but I couldn't get him to share the photos. Top Secret! Looking forward to future vids, keep em coming.
Easy to subscribe to your channel, love your enthusiasm and passion for life of aviation and building / design. I'll send more friends your way Mike. Happy Trails
Even the light fixtures are scratch-built and they are gorgeous 🤣You never cease to amaze and impress me
i feel so bad rewatching this video at the moment ;( it feels like mike is foreshadowing his ground loop incident all along ;(
I'm a beginner tin horn but what happened to him wasn't really a ground loop right? Similar but he was actually off the ground when the bad gust got him if I remember right?
I'm hoping he rehashes a redesign of the ( WINGSPUR) with a new video. He once mentioned a video.
I truly believe that had it a angled wing cup on that outer edge instead of the "stinger" it would not have stopped absorbing, causing catastrophic failure and resulting sidewrap.. Flip? Sure. Strut failure?... I don't believe that is 100%
As soon as I heard him say it I scrolled down to look for this comment.
@@merlin4real same
Im a carpenter from southern British Columbia and love your show. My grandfather was a flight instructor for WW2 pilots and flew bush planes for years post war. Somehow draco popped up in my feed and I been hooked ever since. You have an incredible array of skills and resources, keep it up guys like you advance tech fast AF.🇨🇦
Passion, drive, enthusiasm, love, intelligence, imagination and of course money can produce some amazing things. This is textbook of all those things combined. Not only that, but we mere mortals can learn and understand what's going on when things are explained so well. I feel like I just left a self improvement seminar.
I pegged you for a German car fan. Love your work. Living vicariously through videos after blowing my knee out in a mountain bike accident. You, Trent Palmer, and Shark Week are keeping me motivated. Fly safe.
I have been binge watching the DRACO build series since yesterday. I have watched many videos of the finished product in action. I decided to check this out because of an Executive talk you brother Mark made. You are two of the most impressive people I have come across in my lifetime (I'm a retired). My goal is to meet the both of you before I'm called away. God bless you both.
Absolutely my new favorite channel. You, sir, are a true inspiration.
Mike...your skills in fabrication are incredible. Spent 25 years in the space industry with some awesome engineers, if only we had your skills we might still be flying the Shuttles. I LIKED IT.
I can't stop watching this guy! When you combine passion, love, enthusiasm, technical know-how, imagination, and a lot of money, you can achieve anything. And that is what you have here
I can't begin to comprehend how knowledgeable Mr. Patey is in design & fabrication. It's amazing. Thank you for doing these videos!
Mike, you are a huge inspiration.... we all have to start somewhere... I think I'm going to go and get a Sport Pilot's License as a starter, and buy something with a 912is in it. Your ingenuity is what makes America Great.
That is a great idea! Having these on your wing tips is like having a real chance to prevent an otherwise-inevitable “train wreck” before it ends in disaster.
Mike. I know Draco is no more but you have great ideas and perseverance, an absolute amazing shop . I cannot wait to see and hear more about scrappy!
You are now my favourite channel. Dare I ask that you do a time lapse on some of your most intricate work 'cause I damn well love all that you do. Thanks a million for your effort, it doesn't go amiss. Pete IOW UK.
OK so I just got my KitFox 7 a little over a month ago and the idea of ground-looping has haunted me every night since! So I’m in LOVE with the whole “Stinger” concept. I would like to be your first KitFox customer! I’ll even volunteer my airplane as the jig/test-bed for the initial prototype KitFox Stingers! What a terrific idea. Oh, and DRACO is one weird, wild, crazy cool bird. Enjoy all the attention it’s gonna get at Oshkosh - you’ve definitely earned it!
I wanna work for Mike so badly... This guy is a legend in the making.
You, Mike, are genius! The "winguards" are a testimony of that, not to mention your overall Draco. A real jaw dropper! Congratulations!
Found you through Trent Palmer. You're an inspiration, man!! Keep it up!!
as did I ...
I just started watching you yesterday and you're just fascinating.
Right? Here's a video from the other day where he explains his story, enjoy: th-cam.com/video/Xc-EQsGN7x8/w-d-xo.html
I love this whole series of videos on the Wilga. Thank you Mr. Patey for taking the time to produce this amazing content. I don't have an airplane, but the attention to detail and engineering that goes into them has always fascinated me. I hope to one day at least go out and get some introductory flight lessons or gliding lessons. Thanks Again!
This is why we do this! Airports can look formidable with the gates and fencing, but really, we tend to be a bunch of nice guys, flying does that to ya! Try to get involved in your local airport, you will be amazed at what opportunities you will find!
Have you went out and taken an introductory flight yet? Hope you have and hope you enjoyed it!
Hi Mike. Not officially a pilot, but I've always been a huge Wilga fan. Love the ruggedness of this plane as flown on flight sim, ( I do have about 40 hours on a C-152 / C-172 real plane, real time) and this has always been one of my favorites to fly on Flight sim. I remember reading about Wilgas in Magazines like "Flying" and "Plane and Pilot" and such. There was a dealer here in Ontario at the Lindsay airport that sold them and I always thought I'd love to have that plane one day. Sad to say, they stopped making them. To me the plane is "Hummer ugly" which makes it so very cool. It looks tough and like it means business which it does. Been following your conversion to PT-6 from the start, and let me tell you, you make me want one more than ever. Thanks for posting, and please don't stop. I love your videos including scenes from when it was a Wilga 2000. Dying to see more back country flying when it's done and you know more about what it can actually do with that lovely turbine engine up front.
Mike... your story, background, work ethic, etc. I'm blown away. You're truly an inspiration. I forget how I first came across you and your brother while browsing the web but I think it probably had something to do with Turbulence. Since I discovered what ya'll are all about I can't stop reading/watching!
My grandfather was a pilot trainer in WWII. My dad built custom cabinets and taught me that there wasn't a single thing that I couldn't fix or build if I wanted to. I got hooked on aviation myself as a kid and after driving trucks, becoming a manufacturing engineer, and then a quality manager at an aerospace machining company I finally got my ppl. I used to program parts on old Fadal 4020s and an 8030 too!
Keep doing what you're doing! I love it.
Great attitude+great craftmanship = Great videos! Show us a night flight and that FLIR working!
I swear...Mike is an artist in a very small category that not many could be in. This plane must be in a museum some day. Hell I’d pay to see it now!
Great video Mike. I hope you take DRACO out one night and show us what all those lights are going to look like. You put a huge amount of effort into it. Good luck!
Your Passion is completely understandable your ingenuity and detail with the ability to explain in layman's terms is truly Applaudable well done and some of your machines are mind blowing I could only dream of your kind of workshop your an AMAZING HUMAN
Feel free to add more content and details to your videos, I like to see it all. When it skips steps I find myself wishing you included it all. Anyway thanks for the effort and content, I love it and cant get enough.
What’s there to say that hasn’t been said about your builds ? Your an artist of creating. It looks like you live the Life of Riley and then some. It’s fun to watch you build and create. You truly are one in a Billion, or more. Thanks for letting us in.
Personally I want to see onboard videos. You have the platforms to use. Let’s see them. Please
I love your infectious positive energy. I am a new subscriber because of what I saw on Trent Palmer’s channel. Can’t wait to see more. Thanks for sharing
Please keep all these vids coming! Really enjoying all the tech talk and tutorials!
Energy ,enthusiasm,passion for aviation ,very talented man,true inspiration to all who love aviation and more.
HI Mike, very nice video. I realize I'm quite late to the dance.
I'd like to hope you'd look into joining us at the Society for Aerospace Engineers. Not sure and don't care if you've actually an applied degree...You are producing and documenting what so many of us dream about. Freedom, excellence, and testing.
I'm scratching the surface here, but Great job Brother.
You're the man Mike! Thank god you said these videos aren't done, because I find them the most interesting aviation videos on the tube. Please keep it up! I anxiously look forward to the next one every time!
New student pilot working on my private... Dude your passion pumps me up!
I saw you at OSH last year. I was awe-struck. Now I am binge watching your videos (after binge watching Trent Palmer’s). Your enthusiasm is contagious. You (and your videos) are what we need to make aviation grow. (I feel like you do, but have never expressed like you do.) Thanks Mike!
The ideas you have, the ability to build all that stuff on you own and that insane love to the details you have are absolutly crazy! Here is one happy guy living the dream! Keep up those great videos!
love the backcountry flying, been years since I have done it, but the passion is still there.
Been watching since video #1 I can't get enough, It's awesome to see how nothing stops or slows you down. (I Don't have it? I can't get it? so I'll just make it, type attitude) I've always had the same philosophy, why have someone make it or do it for you? They learned how to do it so why can't I as well? In the end you pick up a new skill, save time and money. Plus in the end the job is done the way you wanted it, not someone's interpretation of your description. Not to mention the personal satisfaction of the completed job. Aviation needs more people like you, a Jack of all trades.
as an young AVS tech who isn't going to have kids. you have inspired me to build my own bush plane one day. I can't wait until I can nerd out on my own avionics and wiring some day. thanks for the inspiration!! just gotta befriend some ACS guys to help me with the carbon and machining and painting :P
Your are out of your cranium! Love it! I could watch your vids all day. Thanks for sharing!
All your upgrades definitely make "Wilga Beast" much more appropriate!
Can't wait to see Draco take to the skies and the Backcountry! Beautiful work as always, Mr. Patey!
Loved watching DRACO at Oshkosh this year, and AWESOME videos!!!!! Back to work!!!
16:06 Hey Mike, its me from the future. Don't attempt to take off in the cross wind while at Reno next year. I hope you get this message in time.
I'm also from the future. What other future fella said
18:16
I am personally inspired by Mike's energy. Thank you Mike, I needed that in my life!
OMG. This is amazing man. Your workmanship and knowledge is second only to your enthusiasm. Wow. Unfortunately no Wilga owner is ever gonna be satisfied with their stock bird again! Can’t wait to see this thug fly. If you ever get down to Lake Havasu I’m buying lunch!
More videos PLEASE , LOVE them , now I want to build one !
You sir are amazing. I've been a machinist for over 40 years and your skills are impressive.
Wow Mike you are a true inspiration to me!! I've been lagging on replacing my truck clutch and after watching your Draco build videos I definitely have no excuse! Your energy and enthusiasm are truly inspiring!!! Thanks and keep pumping out awesome Vlogs!!!
Hi Mike from Namibia! My old man was a pilot (god rest his soul), we did alot together, I learnt to start a DC3 when I was about 15 years old. Anyhows I love flying although I'm not a pilot. The mod Wilga you have created is an absolute masterpiece! Talk about changing something that looked like a moth... and then slowly putting it on steroids... WOW man! You are a genius! You have thought through so much on this aircraft from fuel pumps to protecting your wingtips, lets not forget your TURBOPROP! If I were a pilot, and had some cash lying around... I would humbly ask you to build me one like yours, but that's not going to happen, It's one of a kind, your brainchild, and freeking awesome, one of my new favorite planes! (Draco is the coolest plane I have ever come across )
Understanding aviation dynamics make you a better pilot...Mike is brilliantly talented and a valuable asset to the aviation business...he loves what he's doing and God bless you Mike...awesome stuff man!
Fantastic build my friend. You’re a prodigy.
You are my new favorite aviation channel, Mark! This video highlights your amazing Engineering skills (and shop full of amazing toys!). Thanks for sharing what you do!
Mike, thank you for the videos! Your enthusiasm and energy is off the charts!!! I look forward to every new video and really enjoy seeing what you come up with next for DRACO. Keep them coming and happy landings.
Artistic ability.... Man, everything you do is art! Wow!
Watched a lot of build series and videos of custom built aircraft and I can confidently say this is my favorite to watch. The level of engineering, machining and craftsmanship that goes into your builds is mesmerizing, not to mention the great enthusiasm that goes with it. If you ever start manufacturing kit planes (You got the potential), I would totally buy one!
I love how this guy just has an infinite budget. Super cool build. Congrats
Amazing as always. You are SO CLOSE !!
And you fired up Draco (and teased us) I can hardly wait to see Draco airborne!!!!
Yesss I agree. The peeling of the masking tape is so satisfying
Way back when ( I am nearing 80) a good friend went into aviation as I went into vehicle off-roading. He often attempted to change my direction by offering free pilot training even, but I had no interest in "normal" aviation (had we lived in Alaska it would have been different story).
Now, so many years later, I can see where your form of flying could have satisfied every desire that I could have had for non-conventional recreation's excitement and creativity not to mention the camaraderie.
So thanks ever so much for sharing here your passion, creativity and enthusiasm, it is all so contagious it almost makes me think I could start all over and join in … :-)
Awesome work Mike! What genius ideas you have employed.
Outstanding work! My dad had just gotten a Cessna 185 within this past month and we've been flying it every day since. That aircraft has spontaneously combusted my desire to start flying. Of course ,as anyone that is excited about something, I start doing as much browsing as I can combing every inch of google and TH-cam looking at off airport related anything. Naturally, I find your channel. Good lord does your excitement radiate! Thank you for taking the time to record, edit, and fabricate these videos while you work on this bitchin' build. KEEP IT UP PLEASE!
Great job... again. A very enjoyable video. Even the turboprop starting up at the end was interesting.
Mike---have watched every part with total pleasure. Your dedication, engineering, design, and crafting skills are world-class. Draco is a work of art. Compliments~~~
I am binge watching your whole build! Your enthusiasm is awesome. Thanks so much for taking the time to make these. I hope I can come see you in Oshkosh!
Great Job Mike, you sure know your business better than anyone.
"The passion I have... " and that is the Gold in all of these videos, not the tech know how, money, energy, or expertise but simply the passion that is available to Everyone, which begets all of those things... I need to rekindle mine... Thank You! ❤️🐾
Wow what can I say you have a great personality and you're Technical and mechanical skills are through the roof you are a true asset to Aviation. I watched every single one of your videos and they're all awesome please keep up the work and you are a inspiration to me to learn how to fly even though I'm in my fifties LOL thank you for the videos
This is an awesome Video Series!!!! As an A&P I dig everything you are doing and I have tons of respect for you Man! Clear Sky’s! Fly High!
Absolutely AWESOME!! Ready to see Draco “Breathe Fire”!! Love these videos!!
I'm somewhat at a loss for words for the thought that went into this project !... ...... I'd like an 8x10 glossy of this for my office wall, ....you are a Flying World Rock Star ya know !!! See ya at Oshkosh !
Awesome fabrication skills, Infectious energy.
That satisfying click home into the stepped part .....soooo sweet. Awesome work n attention to detail Mike!
You are the real aviator of modern era.. Cheers!
Mike, you are a wizard with the tooling and design of these planes. Like others have said before, you should do a bio of the educational experience and project experience you have gained building planes etc. thanks for the videos, incredibly well done.
Your enthusiasm is magical! Thank you for making the videos and documenting an extremely interesting build! Kudos to you, man, kudos!
My new favourite channel! Keep up the good work!
You know it’s a good video when the hair I have left on my head starts to tingle! I can’t wait to get to work on my plane now. So much of what you are doing to Draco is (although on a way bigger scale) is similar to what I’m wanting to do to my little Kitfox. Maybe we will see you at Oshkosh. Good stuff!
Great series Mike, and a beautiful aircraft. Thanks for taking the time to share this with the world. Your enthusiasm and passion for building planes is so entertaining and addictive.
Looking forward to more videos!
I've been binge watching your project the last two days and wow I'm so impressed with your design and fabrication skills. Keep up the great work and stay away from the ground loops.
Just stumbled across your videos and I’ve binge watched them all today. You do some incredible work Mike. Thanks so much for sharing, it has been thoroughly entertaining!
This is gonna be one breathtaking ride! Superb vision & design Mike! Can't wait for the next installment!!!!!!
Hi Mike, Thanks for another great video. you are a legend. As a mech. Eng. I am pretty amazed by your skills.
Viewing the crash It looks like the amount of torque added on this plane was just too much for this plane in a side wind. It looked like the left wheel just immediately went up at takeoff. I can think of two things that might help next time (Probably you thought about them already) one would be to put your collector fuel tank at the wind tip next time - increasing the moment of inertia might help to stabilize the plane ( it can actually also be used to reduce the load on the wing if you want to increase its length.
another idea that might help is to make your suspension stiffer when taking off at side winds especially when you are taking off on a runway when you can't take off straight to the wind and there is no much need for the large suspension travel.
Mike, thanks for the videos. They are inspirational. We are starting to do some weird stuff here in the UK, hope to show you soon.
Awesome (re)-watching these videos. Such an awesome plane! It needs to come back. Keep up the videos Mike!
Best aviation engineer diy on TH-cam. 🤘
yeah. you got that right...diy engineer in youtube..he has all the resources he needs...CAD, CNC machines, composites, etc....just what i dreamed of myself.... he must have tons of money.
Mike! Your energy and passion is contagious. Keep up the good work my friend. Fly safe!
Mike, you are crazy talented and an inspiration.
Seriously amazing engineering! I cant wait to see what the new projects could be. Thank you for making these vids
Mike, that's just nuts! In the best of ways! Thanks for the share!
Wow.. custom lenses, custom billet, custom carbon, custom design, ...awesome man!
I wish that I had half this guy's energy.
In another video he mentions that he actually *WORKS* full time as well. Putting in this kind of time, energy and effort if it's your *only* project is a huge deal and would make anyone proud to accomplish, but to work full time, come home, kiss the wife and start working on it at 7:30 in the evening, working till 3:00 in the morning then getting up to work the next day and then do it all over again....beyond human stamina and enthusiasm. God mode for sure.
Heck, I'd settle for a 1/10 th. LOL.
He said in other video that sleeps 3-4hrs per day and its enough for him.
I get tired just watching. A couple of Mike's videos and I have to take a nap.
Tell me about it.... Makes you feel lazy when you hang with the guy.. HAHAHA
Man you are Positive and that can make you impossible to stop ! So HAPPY you are the type of thinker that can reinvent the way of the way we fly ! You start with what's the best design you could find and cannot stop refining that plane . The day you scratch everything handed down you will reinvent as they say the wheel or the airfoil design? Mike think about no Gravity and magnetism Neg- Pos+ and there we have it . My thought is this you have all the tools and the most important Tool in your personal tool Box is your thinking ability and your Optimistic Happy Creative way about you ! Just remember your whole mission is defeating weight or matter against gases in the air . Why do they call it Air force not gravity force ? And you do have artistic value you are a .01% . Not even 1% of humans push the ways of man and his thinking so Infinity and beyond . Food for thought you are creating whom created are home Earth, and the air we breathe and you fly threw ? And humankind are not apes evolving still are we ? You can breakdown the box and reinvent the way we fly ? Try running a program for wind resistance using 7 inch spherical half circle by 3.5 inch deep spaced all along the bottom of your wing and see if it creates an airfoil barrier and lightens your planes resistance. Just a thought.
I've watched and liked a ton of your videos. Your enthusiasm, almost boundless energy, and your genius are quite impressive. Draco turned out fantastic. The Curtiss Jenny had something very similar to your wing tip stinger. Its a great idea. Thanks for sharing the build. I've really enjoyed it.
I can’t wait to see this beast of a plane finished! I must say I admire your positive attitude and excitement. If you approach all aspects off life this way I see why you have been so successful! Now get back to work!!!
some of the best aviation content out there, love it mike. I go to westminster college in SLC and id love to see the stuff you guys are doing!
Awesome Mike....just awesome. Dooley told me it was done but I couldn't get him to share the photos. Top Secret! Looking forward to future vids, keep em coming.
I remember seeing this wingtip and loving it right after you got it done and took it out.
Love your videos and enthusiasm ... would be interested in the process to make the clear plexiglass lens cover.
Your passion is contagious for sure Mike! AND turbo props rock!!!
Easy to subscribe to your channel, love your enthusiasm and passion for life of aviation and building / design. I'll send more friends your way Mike. Happy Trails