THE MICRO-SIZED MIKE PATEY STOL MONSTER
Mike Patey’s undeniable passion, exceptional drive, and work ethic (Back to Work™) have led to him designing and building some of the most unique and incredible aircraft – while his infectious enthusiasm has inspired thousands of people to enjoy RC and full-scale aviation along the way! Starting with a Wilga 2000 and replacing its Lycoming O-540 piston engine with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-28 turboprop boasting about twice the power at half the weight, then many additional modifications later, Mike proudly unveiled his “ultimate bush plane.” It could go to the same places as a Carbon Cub but climb twice as fast, reach altitudes up to 28,000 feet, and cruise cross-country at 180 MPH while carrying four people plus gear. Changes from the Wilga were so extensive that the FAA approved Mike’s redesign as an experimental exhibition aircraft. The E-flite DRACO 2.0m was equally unique and astounding, and since its release, it’s become one of the best-selling RC aircraft ever! But many pilots have asked for a smaller version that’s more convenient, easier to fly, and most importantly–is more affordable too. The Micro DRACO 800mm delivers in every way to offer the most practical and fun-to-fly replica for intermediate to experienced pilots yet!
Overview
Inspired by the incredible ingenuity and effort Mike Patey put into building the full-sized aircraft, E-flite delivered the first officially licensed scale replica of his ultimate bush plane – the amazing DRACO 2.0m. Since its release, many pilots have dreamt of and asked for a scaled-down version that’s more affordable, convenient, and easier to fly in more places and smaller spaces! The E-flite Micro DRACO 800mm is precisely that, and is slightly larger than UMX™ (Ultra Micro eXtreme) and other ultra-micro class models to better replicate the complex design while also including as many scale details as possible. It’s still small and light enough to fly in large yards, small parks, sports fields, and beyond. Yet, it also features many surface details, including molded-in rivets, panel lines, control surface corrugation, antennas, steps, wingtip “stinger” skids, and more. Functional features include LED navigation, landing and simulated strobe lights, flaps, and a steerable tailwheel. Oversized, tundra-style tires on the sprung wire main gear with simulated KING shocks soak up bumps and provide excellent prop clearance while also making it possible to take off from and land on paved, dirt, gravel, and even the grass surfaces found at many parks and sports fields.
The high-power brushless outrunner motor can drive the scale 4-blade propeller with a 3S 300mAh battery for smooth and scale-like flight and even to perform basic aerobatics. Or you can use a 4S 300mAh battery without any modifications or upgrades for better-than-scale vertical performance and more aggressive aerobatic flying! The factory-installed Spektrum receiver and ESC deliver real-time telemetry data, including overall battery voltage, current, motor RPM, and more, to compatible AirWare™ equipped transmitters. Plus, the receiver is also equipped with exclusive and expertly-tuned AS3X so it feels like you’re flying a larger model – even in some wind – along with optional-use SAFE Select technology that makes it easier to fly successfully after you’ve mastered flying at least one or two previous RC aircraft! Best of all, Micro DRACO arrives factory-finished with a premium, fully-painted plus decal trim scheme and mostly factory-assembled with a separate one-piece wing that can be installed or removed quickly and easily with a single screw. It all adds up to offer an authentic – yet more affordable and convenient – DRACO flying experience, including unmatched STOL (Short Take Off and Landing), scale, and beyond flight performance!
Micro DRACO is a Bind-N-Fly® (BNF) Basic aircraft that includes a Spektrum receiver equipped with industry-leading DSMX/DSM2 technology so intermediate to experienced RC pilots can use their own compatible transmitter, battery, and charger. An ULTIMATE Combo including the BNF Basic airplane, a Spektrum transmitter, Smart charger, adapter, and battery – plus a copy of the RealFlight Trainer Edition RC Flight Simulator – is also available that includes everything needed to fly and saves you more than $70 compared to purchasing all of the items separately!
Are you new to flying RC (Radio Controlled) aircraft? If you are, we recommend learning to fly with one of our purpose-built trainer aircraft, such as the HobbyZone® Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m. Based on the Carbon Cub Mike’s wife, Chandra Patey, used to fly, it’s equipped with exclusive and innovative SAFE technology that makes it possible for almost anyone to learn to fly successfully! The Ready-To-Fly (RTF) Basic version includes nearly everything needed to fly (except for a compatible LiPo battery and charger that are sold separately or together in a money-saving Powerstage bundle) and is a perfect choice if you’re a new RC pilot.
Mike Patey was born in Gresham, Oregon along with his twin brother Mark, numbers 5 and 6 in an 11 child family. Growing up in a low-income family, they were 15 when they launched their first business together, Deck-It, building decks for their neighbors in Orem, Utah. Before they graduated high school they had built it into a company with nearly 200 employees. Their hard work and drive led them to create additional businesses, successfully building and selling each one. Today, both continue applying their passion for work to their own businesses, Mark with Best Tugs, and Mike with EcoVap.
Mike is married to his wife Chandra and they have four children. Mike’s aviation journey began in a 1971 Cessna 172L in 2002 when both Mike and Mark had independently decided to pursue aviation. In a strange “twin moment”, on the same day both had attended airshows in different states and been inspired to pursue their pilot’s license without the other knowing. When they shared their decision by phone, they were so blown away at the coincidence of the whole thing that Mark immediately bought a used 172, and the rest is history.
Mike continues his passion of flying and aviation while balancing family, work, and community. “Our parents taught us that if you are blessed with a talent or finances you must give to others or you don’t deserve it in the first place. We were raised dirt poor but our parents gave anything we had in excess to someone who had less than us.” Mike continues to give his time, talents, and energy to search and rescue missions for local law enforcement, as well as building the aviation community through his YouTube channel where he shares his passion. He is incredibly giving of his time and knowledge as well, often taking time away from his builds for visitors though he really just wants to get “back to work”, a phrase that has become a tagline for his channel. “Back to Work means to get after something. I use it for my life in general. It means give your all, enjoy the process, and work hard.” A mantra Mike truly lives by.
Mike holds multiple world speed records and has plans to break those records again. From drag cars to hill climbs to airplanes, Mike has always been driven to race things. He likes to build bigger, stronger, and faster aircraft, innovating new ideas and making them realities in his builds. Mike’s enthusiasm is infectious, often seen chatting with fellow aviators and giggling over new ideas or theories to improve designs, he is a huge asset to general aviation and has inspired many to pursue their dreams of flight by earning their private pilot’s license.
Learn more about, connect with, and follow Mike Patey using these links:
Skill Level 2 – Some Experience Required
Skill Level 2 aircraft, like this one, are suitable for RC pilots with some experience and the skills to assemble and/or set up and fly similar class models. Although this is the easiest to fly DRACO model yet, it’s not a suitable first-ever RC aircraft for new pilots or a “next step after a trainer” model for low-time RC pilots. You should have the experience and skills necessary to successfully fly higher performance ultra-micro models like the various UMX Timber models or larger models like the Slow Ultra Stick 1.2m, Valiant 1.3m, Turbo Timber Evolution 1.5m, or other similar class models before attempting to fly the Micro DRACO.
Are you new to flying RC (Radio Controlled) aircraft? If you are, Micro DRACO is not a suitable first-ever RC model, and we recommend learning to fly with one of our purpose-built trainer aircraft, such as the HobbyZone® Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m. Based on the Carbon Cub Mike’s wife, Chandra Patey, used to fly, it’s equipped with exclusive and innovative SAFE technology that makes it possible for almost anyone to learn to fly successfully! The Ready-To-Fly (RTF) Basic version includes nearly everything needed to fly (except for a compatible LiPo battery and charger that are sold separately or together in a money-saving Powerstage bundle) and is a perfect choice if you’re a new RC pilot.
Features
- The most affordable, convenient, practical, and easiest to fly DRACO model yet
- Micro-sized and uniquely capable so it can be flown in more places and smaller spaces
- An officially licensed scale replica of Mike Patey’s one-of-a-kind and ultimate bush plane
- Functional scale features including flaps and LED navigation, landing, down, and other lights
- Scale details including molded-in surface features, steps, antennas, wingtip skids, and much more
- Factory-installed 3S and 4S 300mAh battery-compatible brushless outrunner motor with 4-blade prop
- Spektrum receiver and ESC provide real-time battery voltage, current draw, motor RPM, and other data via compatible transmitters
- Easier to fly with innovative and optional-use SAFE® Select flight envelope protection
- The unmatched stability and locked-in feel of exclusive AS3X® technology
- Five factory-installed servos with strong and precise ball-link equipped linkages
- Large and convenient, magnetically-secured top hatch with a large battery compartment
- Steerable tailwheel plus oversized tires for the ability to taxi, take off, and land on a variety of surfaces
- Factory-finished in a fully painted with decal trim scheme and nearly ready to fly right out of the box
- Quick and easy to install/remove one-piece wing for even more convenient storage and transport
- No FAA registration or remote ID is required (under the 250-gram weight limit)
Bind-N-Fly Completion Level Advantage
Already own a Spektrum transmitter? Bind-N-Fly (BNF) aircraft make getting into the air quickly and with the best control experience possible easier than ever. They come out of the box with the power system, servos, and a Spektrum 2.4GHz receiver installed, so all you need to do is bind the receiver to a compatible transmitter, finish any final assembly, and fly!
Exclusive Technologies
Micro DRACO features exclusive Spektrum AS3X and SAFE Select technologies. AS3X works behind the scenes to smooth out the effects of wind and turbulence to deliver a locked-in feel that makes it seem like you’re flying a much larger airplane. Optional-use SAFE Select offers pitch and bank angle limits and automatic self-leveling that can be turned on and off at the flip of a switch to make this the easiest to fly DRACO model yet!
Easy Assembly
The Micro DRACO arrives mostly factory-assembled with the power system, servos, and receiver installed. All you need to do is install the one-piece wing with a single screw, which can be removed quickly and easily for even more convenient storage and transport. It’s also factory-finished with a premium, fully painted, plus decal trim scheme that makes for a scale replica you’ll be proud to show off everywhere you go.
Scale Features
Micro DRACO is equipped with several functional scale features, including flaps and LED navigation, landing, and simulated strobe lights. It also features many scale details, including antennas, steps, wingtip “stinger” skids, molded-in rivets, panel lines, corrugation on the control surfaces, and more.
Versatile Power
The factory-installed Spektrum brushless outrunner motor can drive the four-blade propeller with 3S or 4S 300mAh batteries. Install a 3S battery for slow and smooth scale flying and basic aerobatics, or a 4S battery to deliver better-than-scale vertical and aggressive aerobatic performance – without any modifications or upgrades!
Telemetry Capable
The Micro DRACO 800mm is equipped with a control unit/flight controller that includes an ESC and Spektrum receiver that provides real-time flight battery voltage, current draw, motor RPM, and other telemetry information to compatible Spektrum AirWare equipped transmitters while you fly.
Capable Gear
The oversized, tundra-style tires on the sprung wire main gear with simulated KING shocks soak up bumps and provide excellent prop clearance. They also make it possible to taxi over, take off from, and land on a variety of surfaces that are impossible for most models of this size to handle – from the grass surfaces found at many parks and sports fields to gravel paths and paved surfaces, too.
Durable Design
Construction with advanced EPS material delivers a lightweight yet durable airframe that’s also easily repairable with odorless/foam-safe CA, Foam 2 Foam, epoxy, and other foam-friendly adhesives. If you damage any airframe parts or components and can’t repair them, a full line of replacement/spare parts is readily available.
Video Overview
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