DRACO Aircraft

DRACO Aircraft (Draco Aircraft Sp. z o.o.) is a Warsaw company founded in 2023 to build the Draco, a short takeoff and landing (STOL) turboprop aimed at private owners and professional operators. The design comes from the aircraft that Mike Patey built in 2018 by modifying a PZL-104 Wilga 2000. In 2023 managers from Airbus Poland and Mike Patey decided to relaunch series production of the Wilga in the Draco configuration, and the company says the aircraft is set to debut in 2028.

The aircraft

• Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A turboprop with a 102-inch, five-blade MT propeller
• Quoted figures for the original Draco: about 80 ft takeoff distance, 4,200 ft per minute climb and a stall speed of around 35 mph
• One pilot and three passengers
• To be certified to EASA CS-23 and FAA Part 23 standards; it is not a kit aircraft
• Maintenance concept with a 3,000-hour interval and a 12-year aircraft and engine overhaul requirement

Background

About 1,000 Wilga aircraft were built by PZL Okecie in Warsaw, the company that became Airbus Poland. In 2024 Airbus and Draco Aircraft agreed terms to transfer the intellectual property, the type certificate and the tooling to Draco Aircraft. Because the Wilga already holds EASA and FAA type certificates, Draco plans to introduce its changes under the existing certificates. Airbus Poland will provide the required EASA services until Draco sets up its own EASA design organisation. The original Draco appeared at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 and won the 2018 High Sierra STOL drag race.

Company facts

• Founded in 2023
• CEO: Johannes von Thadden, former CEO of Airbus Poland
• KRS 0001072232, NIP PL5252982287, REGON 527060741
• Takes reservations and runs online group presentations for interested buyers