Every time Mike says "back to work", I feel like a tremendous underachiever because I know he's probably already put in twice the day that I have at work lol.
Have to see this AGAIN in person,....... see ya at RENO and I hope we can get up close for some more up to date photos. Really looks like a fine upgrade,... I saw some new shocks in another video ? Thanks Mike.
Every time I see one of your videos I get energized to take on more in my life. Your confidence in your ability to create is contagious. Please keep the videos coming.
This presentation is infectious...just like those cooking shows, I am now convinced I can build any plane I like. These modifications look effortless but there must be so much skill, knowledge and experience going on behind the scenes. He makes it look easy.
Always hugely enjoyable anytime in a hanger - thought I'd share a vital tip for those who have spare jet fuel left over doing inspections,, probably sitting in 30gallon barrels like we always did. Here's what not to do - granted its basically free fuel, never use it for heating the hanger like we did most of the winter. It's not your typical kerosene - it's a special blend of kerosene with deadly additives to protect the Jets hot section. Many of us ended up very ill for weeks, and didn't know why at first. Being these kerosene heaters were used for over twenty years with no issues. Then by chance I looked closer at the blend of kerosene used for jets, and now every time I board a flight for Europe, and aircraft has been heated all night by the APU, the entire cabin has this same taste in the air as the hanger using jet fuel,, and the flight crews over the last ten years are also getting very ill being in this cabin environment for endless hours. Even though the cabin is positive vented all during its flight, every seat cushion and all the interior spaces retains tons of contaminated air that takes hours to flush out. Just so you know why you smell this acrid almost electrical heated insulation smell. It's the compounds in the kerosene. The APU exhaust pipe, roughly 8" in diameter, floods the entire space the aircraft sits in, then gets drawn into the cabin heating system. But back to the build,, wOw, amazing concept milling solid block for wing tanks. Maybe I missed how they'll feed the boost pumps, or simply transfer into the main tanks by Elec valves. I need to make a pair, smaller scale for the cruiser, where I end up pulling out of the pack before anyone else,, then blast machII to catch back up to them. Cheers
Yay, new video! I would love to see some of your design process, Not expecting a full engineering course on how to design and build an airplane but some insight into your process would be cool. Looking forward to seeing how both Scrappy and your next go-fast build turn out.
Not an aviator, but I love watching your videos. It was great to see a name I recognized, Covington Aircraft, as they are just a few miles south of us down in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. All the best and will look forward to seeing video of your Alaska adventures and future builds and modifications.
You are amazingly talented Mike! It's great that your work ethic is going to be handed down learned by your boys through example. Well done sir, well done
Happy to see the work ethic you have driven into your son. He was dedicated to getting that done right. I enjoy your videos and you are an inspiration to do more in life! Thanks
Thanks for the mods update. You have built a wonderful aircraft. Like the multiple tail wheels depending on the mission. You still have not covered the black add on scoop to the oil cooler naca duct. I think in the original build you mentioned you needed to monitor oil temp to see if your cooler was doing enough. But i saw it was installed before the trip to Air Venture last year. It would be a great experience to hang out with you and Mark as you guys put out so much energy.
Amazing creative enginuity and amazing how fast you can properly engineer, create, modify and install aircraft components. Wow, very impressive, a true geniouse and artist.
I love your energy and inexhaustible drive and excitement! So glad I subscribed to your channel. Your brain is amazing in how it calculates every angle of a project. You truly live in a room with NO corners! Thanks for sharing all these gems with the world!
I'm reliving life through your eyes, thanks for posting. I'm amazed at the amount of work that is involved in building these projects . Your son must be really proud of your accomplishments. God bless you and your family and be safe.
I just saw your video and saw the COVINGTON aircraft logo on your plane. I am Bobby Covington's nephew, anyway I am glad to see his business is still thriving even after this long, I know he sold it a few years back but I'm glad you kept our name since I'm the last male Covington other than Bobby's brother Dean to still be living. Anyway I hope your trip to Alaska is safe one, really like the plane design. 👍
Looking great Mike. In talking with you a few weeks back, I realized something. No one is going to do it for me. If I want my aileron design to come to life, I need make it happen. Your dedication and commitment to excellence in everything you do is inspiration to us all. Cheers Bro!... "Now back to work."
Thanks Mike for sharing you passion and talent with us I’m wheelchair bound and was creative like you I’m unable to stay sitting up for any length of time. And You Have no idea how your creativity and hands on like was Gets me threw some trying times Excellent Job and The Best to you in all you do Thanks Big Joe
Great video Mike! Thanks for bringing us along behind the scenes. It’s a pleasure to watch you work. Can’t wait for your next video,cheers from Southwest Michigan!
Draco! You're going to have your hands full in Valdez! My father in law and I had a similar problem. We fixed it by drilling holes like you did in the aluminum, but we also milled a reverse bevel in the hole, so that when the glue dried it would expand into the reverse bevel which gave it a mechanical bind as well as a chemical bond.
I thought your alteration to the cowling was very intelligent in the fact that you recognized that we as humans ALL will delay or procrastinate any routine nonemergant endeavor that is tedious, mundane and involved. By investing a fair amount of time to turn the task of cleaning/changing the airfilters on Draco in a brief convient task you've added an additional layer of safety to its operation for all who fly in it. Well Done! I've often thought engineers around the world could improve the safety, reliability, and longivity of all the machines we use through this approach. Interestingly during WWII there was a very small in stature Maintenance Sergeant I watched on a MovieTime clip of that period who was given several army awards. This young man had a knack for creating tooling that could eliminate hours upon hours of tedious labor for routine maintenance tasks and directives. One directive was to add dozens of louvers to numerous inspection plates on all four engines of the B29 bomber out in the field due to over heating issues, especially in the South Pacific (remember the B29 Super Fortress was originally slated for use against Germany in Northern Europe, not to spend hours idling in long lines awaiting takeoff on a volcanic island in the tropics. So the engines were literally baking on the tarmac then having to go to full power while the planes climbed out at 50-100ft/minute climb rates 10,000lbs over gross weight with fuel). This was why they had so many crashes and fires. So one field directive came down to add dozens of louvers on all the engine cowlings to improve cooling. This Seargant devised a cutting press that used a sledge hammer that could add a louvers in less than a minute. Taking what was to be a 12 hour job for several mechanics into a one or two hour job for two. Another tool this young man devised made removal of the engine mounting bolts a ten minute job. Once un-torqued he devised a socket wrench using a bicycle chain and sprocket to loosen and remove or install and partially tighten, then the torque wrench was used to finish. Before it required two+hours to remove and again to install the engine mounting bolts. His tool turned it into a twenty minute job. Of course these improvements had a wripple effect because aircraft that wouldn't have been ready because they needed and engine changed out were now available for the next days mission. This little Seargent improvements they calculated made it where hundreds of aircraft throughout the war were available for a mission that other wise would have been down for maintenance. I know I ran on, if I ever find this video which is on TH-cam I'll post it here, he was an amazing young man. Makes me wonder what he went on to do in life?
Thank you so much for the update Mike especially with the events over the past few weeks, safe trip to Alaska, and the mods look amazing on Draco. Happy skys buddy ❤🛩🛩
As the Director, Research Programs (ret) at Bell Helicopter Textron, I love the work you have done! Congratulations! It brings me back to the creation I loved so much. What a fantastic engine. We built the Eagle Eye Tiltrotor unmanned vehicle for the US Coast Guard with the same type engine.
I watched the video again and made some estimates. He did say that the mod would add 2 feet on each wingtip. Going off that figure, I determined the general shape of the tank to be approximately 24x26x7 inches (WxLxH). Some back of the envelope math came up to be 18.9 gallons rounded down to 18 gallons per wingtip tank. 36 gallons overall, which is good for 30-45 minutes of additional flying time. Again, this is just a estimate. We would not know for sure until Mike can tell us how close or far off that I am.
Best of luck at the competition. Do so enjoy a video from you. The joy, the energy, the innovation, the artistry, the attention to details and of course your brilliance. Happy 4th of July to you and your family!
You're a genius. I can't get enough of this stuff. You're doing what I've dreamed of since I was a kid, fabrication, machining, and freaking incredible STOL bush planes.
So enjoyable to watch someone who generously shares their knowledge and ability all due to your creativity!I look forward to every video you put on TH-cam! "Back to work!"
Absolutely love your brainstorm, modify it, fix it, build it, make it better and then fly the snot out of it videos!! Keep them coming man! Back to work!!
You sir are an inspiration. As an aviation, tech and engineering geek, I can appreciate everything you are doing here. Well done. Heck, converting my grizzly mill to CNC was an accomplishment in my book... Keep it up!
I can only imagine the TH-cam success Mike would have if he had a production team. Weekly 15-20 minute video drops of fun, smart and engaging content. Mike is a superhero the world needs to get to know.
Always enjoy your videos! I envy your energy, enthusiasm, and unique approach to developing solutions to obstacles that others might consider impossible.
I think even big airplane companies could learn a lot from you. Very enjoyable to see something start to finish in a matter of minutes. Thanks for that! :-)
Mike, super inspiring work dude! I love the projects you create and I’m in awe at your ingenuity! Hoping one day to see Draco in person somewhere! Keep up the outstanding work!
I could never afford to fly but following Trent and your vids I feel there with you guys. I love aviation and the engineering involved, the engineering part is the easy bit I have done for years. Gorgeous Plane mate, keep up the vids. Just about to watch the build. :) Rich
Your CNC, glass, and carbon workmanship is amazing. I watched most the Alaska livestream and Valdez... actually... Alaska, looks like an amazing place to fly. The company that I work for has a lot of holdings in Alaska (North Slope, down to Kenai and many other locations).
Main gear kicker for take off AOA improvement: When you go full throttle before you release the brakes for short take off, the main gear struts are compressed. When you release the brakes, they decompress and pop the nose up...but you are not at flying speed yet. Is there some way to put a controllable valve in the fluid line of the struts that you can close when they are compressed at run up, then release just at rotation speed? You might even consider adding a compression tank that you could precharge with gas or hydraulic in bladder to cause the gear to pivot down even harder. ...this would have the tendency to begin a nose up rotation increasing the angular momentum of the aircraft to rotate it upward.. Just a thought...I'm an electrical engineer, so what the hell do I know about airplanes, but I did stay at a Holiday inn express one time. Good luck in Alaska...we sure do enjoy watching you fly...safely. Thanks for all the hard work putting the videos together. Big fan... Tom
Amazing Job, increasing the AOA as well as reducing wing loading, and adding range that's a win win win. That's one Wiilga I would give my lefty to fly 👍👍🇦🇺
I remain amazed how you can go thru life hovering at an automatic altitude gain of at least 3' above the floor. Good on ya - and kudos on a fantastic job.
Mike, instead of relying on the fiberglass resin to adhere the glass wingtip to the "wing root", I'd of used fuel tank sealant like PR1750 or the light weight version, PR1775. In the event that you need to remove it, a sharp blade into the bond-line after the fasteners are removed, the tip tank is off and ready for clean up and re-installation. Otherwise, you're a man on a mission and won't let anything deter you from your goal.
I really enjoy your videos, just enough detail to understand your processes rather than a long, in-depth, and technical (boring), explanation. Looking forward to your Alaska vids.
I was just noticing the fadal’s you are using. I am very familiar with the 4020 and 6040. I ran them to make vacuum sealing machines for the food industry. Pretty cool!
I am not a pilot or engineer but graphic/multimedia designer with zest for flying, adventure sports. Mike’s energy, determination, creativity and product development execution is inspiration to all whatever their fields are. Thanks for the motivation dynamo videos, wish to you best of every achievements, safe skies and good health.💐👍
I went to the Farnborough airshow in 1990 and watched the Antanov 225, the biggest airplane in the world at the time, 6 engine twin tail., do a demo. On the runup the tail was shaking and wiggling like nothing I had ever seen. I would say the tips were moving up and down 5 ft! So it happens on big planes too.
Awesome! Once again you have improved Draco far beyond what its makers had originally considered. Very well done, as always! Happy Independence Day, and good luck in Valdez!
Mike has enough energy for six normal guys! Love his attention to details that mean something to him as a pilot. Keep flying/building Mike and thanks for the enthusiasm! :-]
I think one lesson we can all learn from Mike is... Even if we one doesn’t have all the ingredients to achieve the highest of high goals...We can do much much more than we think we can. JUST DO IT !
As long as you can afford it, have adequate health, and have the material resources and the community of supporting players if you need them, but otherwise it’s as easy as just saying Do It!
I'm always looking forward to a Mike Patey video, more so than any other Flying Cowboy or aviation video. The innovative design, the actual construction, the hard work, the tools and the end product is what warms the cockle of my loins. Too bad they are few and far between. I would almost bet Mr. Patey would have one of the most popular channels on TH-cam if he produced and shared more content. Awesome video's.
Love the videos, always had a fantasy of building my own plane. Now in my mid 70's so it ain't going to happen, but your videos are almost as good. Keep them coming.
It is incredible the drive, insight, and passion you have for flight and life in general.
Every time Mike says "back to work", I feel like a tremendous underachiever because I know he's probably already put in twice the day that I have at work lol.
Have to see this AGAIN in person,....... see ya at RENO and I hope we can get up close for some more up to date photos. Really looks like a fine upgrade,... I saw some new shocks in another video ? Thanks Mike.
I love your enthusiasm and passion. Good luck for Alaska.
I am in awe. Love the enthusiasm, and the mantra "Let's get back to work!" Very inspirational!
Amazing video. Not only are you an amazing aeronautical engineer, machinist, and pilot, but your video editing is first class!
You sir, are an aviation mad scientist!
Like the Christian Von Koenigsegg of bush planes.
@@ryanschaff123 Nicely stated!
I think it's safe to coin the term "happy scientist" after watching Mike's videos. LOL
Every time I see one of your videos I get energized to take on more in my life. Your confidence in your ability to create is contagious. Please keep the videos coming.
This presentation is infectious...just like those cooking shows, I am now convinced I can build any plane I like.
These modifications look effortless but there must be so much skill, knowledge and experience going on behind the scenes. He makes it look easy.
Always hugely enjoyable anytime in a hanger -
thought I'd share a vital tip for those who have spare jet fuel left over doing inspections,, probably sitting in 30gallon barrels like we always did.
Here's what not to do -
granted its basically free fuel,
never use it for heating the hanger like we did most of the winter.
It's not your typical kerosene -
it's a special blend of kerosene with deadly additives to protect the Jets hot section.
Many of us ended up very ill for weeks,
and didn't know why at first.
Being these kerosene heaters were used for over twenty years with no issues.
Then by chance I looked closer at the blend of kerosene used for jets, and now every time I board a flight for Europe, and aircraft has been heated all night by the APU, the entire cabin has this same taste in the air as the hanger using jet fuel,, and the flight crews over the last ten years are also getting very ill being in this cabin environment for endless hours.
Even though the cabin is positive vented all during its flight, every seat cushion and all the interior spaces retains tons of contaminated air that takes hours to flush out. Just so you know why you smell this acrid almost electrical heated insulation smell. It's the compounds in the kerosene. The APU exhaust pipe, roughly 8" in diameter, floods the entire space the aircraft sits in, then gets drawn into the cabin heating system.
But back to the build,,
wOw, amazing concept milling solid block for wing tanks.
Maybe I missed how they'll feed the boost pumps, or simply transfer into the main tanks by Elec valves.
I need to make a pair, smaller scale for the cruiser, where I end up pulling out of the pack before anyone else,, then blast machII to catch back up to them.
Cheers
Yay, new video! I would love to see some of your design process, Not expecting a full engineering course on how to design and build an airplane but some insight into your process would be cool. Looking forward to seeing how both Scrappy and your next go-fast build turn out.
Not an aviator, but I love watching your videos. It was great to see a name I recognized, Covington Aircraft, as they are just a few miles south of us down in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. All the best and will look forward to seeing video of your Alaska adventures and future builds and modifications.
You are amazingly talented Mike! It's great that your work ethic is going to be handed down learned by your boys through example. Well done sir, well done
RIP Draco, on to Draco II. Glad no one was hurt in the crash.
It's amazing to watch you envision, design, then physically create what you want and need. You've got the skills of 10 master craftsmen.
Happy to see the work ethic you have driven into your son. He was dedicated to getting that done right. I enjoy your videos and you are an inspiration to do more in life! Thanks
Thanks for the mods update. You have built a wonderful aircraft. Like the multiple tail wheels depending on the mission. You still have not covered the black add on scoop to the oil cooler naca duct. I think in the original build you mentioned you needed to monitor oil temp to see if your cooler was doing enough. But i saw it was installed before the trip to Air Venture last year. It would be a great experience to hang out with you and Mark as you guys put out so much energy.
I like the way you show a quick shot ahead of the steps you are at and explaining. Great work. Thanks Mike
Amazing creative enginuity and amazing how fast you can properly engineer, create, modify and install aircraft components.
Wow, very impressive, a true geniouse and artist.
I love your energy and inexhaustible drive and excitement! So glad I subscribed to your channel. Your brain is amazing in how it calculates every angle of a project. You truly live in a room with NO corners! Thanks for sharing all these gems with the world!
You are one smart inventor! I love watching you bring your creations to life. Thank you for sharing your genius with us.
Awesome to see the build process!
You sir are a truly incredible amazing gifted person. Thank you for letting you look into your world of aviation.
I'm reliving life through your eyes, thanks for posting. I'm amazed at the amount of work that is involved in building these projects . Your son must be really proud of your accomplishments. God bless you and your family and be safe.
Mike is just an incredible...so much fun watching him building all that stuff...keep on!
I just saw your video and saw the COVINGTON aircraft logo on your plane.
I am Bobby Covington's nephew, anyway I am glad to see his business is still thriving even after this long, I know he sold it a few years back but I'm glad you kept our name since I'm the last male Covington other than Bobby's brother Dean to still be living.
Anyway I hope your trip to Alaska is safe one, really like the plane design. 👍
every video you make your creativity amazes me. the little panels to change the air filters. very nice. thanks for adding that in the vid.
You and Mark are such an inspiration, your skills and drive in business and life is amazing. Thanks, enjoy Alaska.
The way you eliminate hassle and focus on task completion is great. Thanks for sharing
Looking great Mike. In talking with you a few weeks back, I realized something. No one is going to do it for me. If I want my aileron design to come to life, I need make it happen. Your dedication and commitment to excellence in everything you do is inspiration to us all. Cheers Bro!... "Now back to work."
I think it would be cool if you had that tail wheel pice you made tooled like a spur since you are the flying cowboys it already kinda looks like one.
Thanks for taking the time to share these projects. Really fun to watch you create one off, scratch made parts.
Dude is a genius his attention to detail is incredible.
Thanks Mike for sharing you passion and talent with us I’m wheelchair bound and was creative like you I’m unable to stay sitting up for any length of time. And You Have no idea how your creativity and hands on like was Gets me threw some trying times Excellent Job and The Best to you in all you do
Thanks Big Joe
Great video Mike! Thanks for bringing us along behind the scenes. It’s a pleasure to watch you work. Can’t wait for your next video,cheers from Southwest Michigan!
Draco! You're going to have your hands full in Valdez! My father in law and I had a similar problem. We fixed it by drilling holes like you did in the aluminum, but we also milled a reverse bevel in the hole, so that when the glue dried it would expand into the reverse bevel which gave it a mechanical bind as well as a chemical bond.
I am totally addicted to these videos. They are totally inspiring. Thanks so much for making and publishing them! Awesome!
I thought your alteration to the cowling was very intelligent in the fact that you recognized that we as humans ALL will delay or procrastinate any routine nonemergant endeavor that is tedious, mundane and involved. By investing a fair amount of time to turn the task of cleaning/changing the airfilters on Draco in a brief convient task you've added an additional layer of safety to its operation for all who fly in it. Well Done! I've often thought engineers around the world could improve the safety, reliability, and longivity of all the machines we use through this approach.
Interestingly during WWII there was a very small in stature Maintenance Sergeant I watched on a MovieTime clip of that period who was given several army awards. This young man had a knack for creating tooling that could eliminate hours upon hours of tedious labor for routine maintenance tasks and directives. One directive was to add dozens of louvers to numerous inspection plates on all four engines of the B29 bomber out in the field due to over heating issues, especially in the South Pacific (remember the B29 Super Fortress was originally slated for use against Germany in Northern Europe, not to spend hours idling in long lines awaiting takeoff on a volcanic island in the tropics. So the engines were literally baking on the tarmac then having to go to full power while the planes climbed out at 50-100ft/minute climb rates 10,000lbs over gross weight with fuel). This was why they had so many crashes and fires. So one field directive came down to add dozens of louvers on all the engine cowlings to improve cooling. This Seargant devised a cutting press that used a sledge hammer that could add a louvers in less than a minute. Taking what was to be a 12 hour job for several mechanics into a one or two hour job for two. Another tool this young man devised made removal of the engine mounting bolts a ten minute job. Once un-torqued he devised a socket wrench using a bicycle chain and sprocket to loosen and remove or install and partially tighten, then the torque wrench was used to finish. Before it required two+hours to remove and again to install the engine mounting bolts. His tool turned it into a twenty minute job. Of course these improvements had a wripple effect because aircraft that wouldn't have been ready because they needed and engine changed out were now available for the next days mission. This little Seargent improvements they calculated made it where hundreds of aircraft throughout the war were available for a mission that other wise would have been down for maintenance.
I know I ran on, if I ever find this video which is on TH-cam I'll post it here, he was an amazing young man. Makes me wonder what he went on to do in life?
Thank you so much for the update Mike especially with the events over the past few weeks, safe trip to Alaska, and the mods look amazing on Draco. Happy skys buddy ❤🛩🛩
As the Director, Research Programs (ret) at Bell Helicopter Textron, I love the work you have done! Congratulations! It brings me back to the creation I loved so much. What a fantastic engine. We built the Eagle Eye Tiltrotor unmanned vehicle for the US Coast Guard with the same type engine.
You have the work ethic of 10 guys. You are the man. Have a great trip.
Love the vids. Can’t wait to see more on scrappy.
Those extensions look awesome. I love seeing the ideas that you come up with!
Excellent craftsmanship! How much fuel (in gallons) will each tip hold?
I was just going to ask the same question (14 hours later)
I watched the video again and made some estimates. He did say that the mod would add 2 feet on each wingtip. Going off that figure, I determined the general shape of the tank to be approximately 24x26x7 inches (WxLxH). Some back of the envelope math came up to be 18.9 gallons rounded down to 18 gallons per wingtip tank. 36 gallons overall, which is good for 30-45 minutes of additional flying time.
Again, this is just a estimate. We would not know for sure until Mike can tell us how close or far off that I am.
Craig Manning 18.2 a side . 36.4 total
Mike Patey very cool. 36.4 gallons gets you how much more flight time (I’m not a pilot just curious)?
@@KeithKmanThe average fuel consumption of the Cessna 152 is 7 gallons per hour at an average cruising speed of 110 MPH. So about 550 miles of range.
Best of luck at the competition. Do so enjoy a video from you. The joy, the energy, the innovation, the artistry, the attention to details and of course your brilliance. Happy 4th of July to you and your family!
I love watching Draco fly, but I really enjoy your tech work and detail in the build and modify videos. Awesome. Cheers from Aussie.
Mike is like a big kid in a toy store. Love his enthusiasm for airplanes.
You're a genius. I can't get enough of this stuff. You're doing what I've dreamed of since I was a kid, fabrication, machining, and freaking incredible STOL bush planes.
I love this aircraft! Shall never have the chance to see it, so even more thanks for sharing it with us, Mike. Your enthusiasm is infectious!
So enjoyable to watch someone who generously shares their knowledge and ability all due to your creativity!I look forward to every video you put on TH-cam! "Back to work!"
Infectious enthusiasm!
I actually never realised just how big Draco is, what a beast 🤘
Your motivation coupled with your skill is so inspiring!! I love your enthusiasm and humility. Another epic video!!
Absolutely love your brainstorm, modify it, fix it, build it, make it better and then fly the snot out of it videos!! Keep them coming man! Back to work!!
You sir are an inspiration. As an aviation, tech and engineering geek, I can appreciate everything you are doing here. Well done. Heck, converting my grizzly mill to CNC was an accomplishment in my book... Keep it up!
I can only imagine the TH-cam success Mike would have if he had a production team. Weekly 15-20 minute video drops of fun, smart and engaging content. Mike is a superhero the world needs to get to know.
Always enjoy your videos! I envy your energy, enthusiasm, and unique approach to developing solutions to obstacles that others might consider impossible.
Just amazing the ability you have to engineer and create anything you need and so professionally done!
So many projects and not enough time. Thanks for taking us along on just part of what you are doing. Draco is looking more like a beast.
Very cool tools and plane! Could’ve cut the tailwheel fork into the shape of an airfoil for a little less drag.
I think even big airplane companies could learn a lot from you.
Very enjoyable to see something start to finish in a matter of minutes. Thanks for that! :-)
Mike, super inspiring work dude! I love the projects you create and I’m in awe at your ingenuity! Hoping one day to see Draco in person somewhere! Keep up the outstanding work!
I could never afford to fly but following Trent and your vids I feel there with you guys. I love aviation and the engineering involved, the engineering part is the easy bit I have done for years. Gorgeous Plane mate, keep up the vids. Just about to watch the build. :) Rich
Your CNC, glass, and carbon workmanship is amazing. I watched most the Alaska livestream and Valdez... actually... Alaska, looks like an amazing place to fly. The company that I work for has a lot of holdings in Alaska (North Slope, down to Kenai and many other locations).
my grandpa worked at Covington aircraft for years good stuff .
Main gear kicker for take off AOA improvement: When you go full throttle before you release the brakes for short take off, the main gear struts are compressed. When you release the brakes, they decompress and pop the nose up...but you are not at flying speed yet. Is there some way to put a controllable valve in the fluid line of the struts that you can close when they are compressed at run up, then release just at rotation speed? You might even consider adding a compression tank that you could precharge with gas or hydraulic in bladder to cause the gear to pivot down even harder. ...this would have the tendency to begin a nose up rotation increasing the angular momentum of the aircraft to rotate it upward.. Just a thought...I'm an electrical engineer, so what the hell do I know about airplanes, but I did stay at a Holiday inn express one time. Good luck in Alaska...we sure do enjoy watching you fly...safely. Thanks for all the hard work putting the videos together.
Big fan...
Tom
Amazing Job, increasing the AOA as well as reducing wing loading, and adding range that's a win win win. That's one Wiilga I would give my lefty to fly 👍👍🇦🇺
I remain amazed how you can go thru life hovering at an automatic altitude gain of at least 3' above the floor. Good on ya - and kudos on a fantastic job.
Thanks for showing the work you have done! I love how you are making things easier to do so that you do them!! Get rid of the excuses and save time!
I admire your insight in what you doing.
What a dream - designing an aircraft like you! Great insights, please keep it coming. The Draco is stunning :)
Epic video as always! Loved every second. Please more flying videos of Draco, inside and out! I want to see this beast in action!
"BACK TO WORK!" (fist pump)
That progress feeling is my drug of choice too!
Hey Dex! Sorry the wing tip bump footage didn't turn out better. Coms next time.
Always impressed by your precision and attention to detail
Amazing craftsmanship as always Mr. Patey !
Mike, instead of relying on the fiberglass resin to adhere the glass wingtip to the "wing root", I'd of used fuel tank sealant like PR1750 or the light weight version, PR1775.
In the event that you need to remove it, a sharp blade into the bond-line after the fasteners are removed, the tip tank is off and ready for clean up and re-installation.
Otherwise, you're a man on a mission and won't let anything deter you from your goal.
I really enjoy your videos, just enough detail to understand your processes rather than a long, in-depth, and technical (boring), explanation. Looking forward to your Alaska vids.
Nice gob. I like your proof of structural integrity, sitting on the tip and bouncing it.
I was just noticing the fadal’s you are using. I am very familiar with the 4020 and 6040. I ran them to make vacuum sealing machines for the food industry. Pretty cool!
Absolutely incredible! I wish I could just spend a day helping you work and learning how you do it all!
I am not a pilot or engineer but graphic/multimedia designer with zest for flying, adventure sports. Mike’s energy, determination, creativity and product development execution is inspiration to all whatever their fields are. Thanks for the motivation dynamo videos, wish to you best of every achievements, safe skies and good health.💐👍
I'm speechless.... great job !
I went to the Farnborough airshow in 1990 and watched the Antanov 225, the biggest airplane in the world at the time, 6 engine twin tail., do a demo. On the runup the tail was shaking and wiggling like nothing I had ever seen. I would say the tips were moving up and down 5 ft! So it happens on big planes too.
Fantastic. I would love to go up there one day as a pilot
Awesome! Once again you have improved Draco far beyond what its makers had originally considered. Very well done, as always!
Happy Independence Day, and good luck in Valdez!
Mike has enough energy for six normal guys! Love his attention to details that mean something to him as a pilot. Keep flying/building Mike and thanks for the enthusiasm! :-]
I think one lesson we can all learn from Mike is...
Even if we one doesn’t have all the ingredients to achieve the highest of high goals...We can do much much more than we think we can.
JUST DO IT !
As long as you can afford it, have adequate health, and have the material resources and the community of supporting players if you need them, but otherwise it’s as easy as just saying Do It!
Your energy is just contagious. One day, I'll finally get my PPL and fly out to meet you somewhere, some event.
I had to take a 30 minute nap for each 3 minutes of this video because that's all could watch before I was totally worn out. Well done Sir!
Love your energy and passion ! Awesome work !!!
Your Amazing. Cannot wait to see you at RENO....
....this dude has a work ethic like no other. Brains and creativity to match.
Amazing....!
I'm always looking forward to a Mike Patey video, more so than any other Flying Cowboy or aviation video. The innovative design, the actual construction, the hard work, the tools and the end product is what warms the cockle of my loins. Too bad they are few and far between. I would almost bet Mr. Patey would have one of the most popular channels on TH-cam if he produced and shared more content. Awesome video's.
Excellent work. Thirty six extra gallons translates into what extra of flying range roughly.
Good insurance to have extra over the expanses of Alaska.
Mike this is amazing. Thanks for sharing your projects you’re very inspirational.
Great to see a new vid Mike! Truly engineering Zen . . . God Speed!
Thanks for sharing all of this with us Mike. What an innovator!
Brilliant! Looking forward to seeing you all at Oshkosh!
Love the videos, always had a fantasy of building my own plane. Now in my mid 70's so it ain't going to happen, but your videos are almost as good. Keep them coming.
I love this guy's energy. Simply amazing!!
Sure miss your videos wish they were more of them. Great luck on your trip