DracoX is a 4-seat, turboprop-powered, short takeoff and landing (STOL) light utility airplane. It is a next-generation, multi-role machine created to meet the most demanding backcountry and adventure aviation needs. DracoX is an evolutionary development of the one-of-a-kind Draco, a highly modified PZL-104MA Wilga 2000 originally manufactured by Polish aerospace firm PZL.

The story of DracoX began with the original Draco (Latin for “dragon”). Aviator Mike Patey developed Draco to be the ultimate bush plane. The original Draco was powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-28 turboprop engine that, through a gear reduction drive, delivered up to 680 horsepower to an MT 4-blade reversible propeller. Draco’s wing was carefully redesigned from the original Wilga 2000 wing based on a detailed laser scan — its span and chord length were both increased, as were the sizes of the ailerons and flaps. The wing also featured carbon fiber tip skids to mitigate damage from inadvertent ground strikes. Other improvements included an advanced fuel system that maintained uninterrupted flow despite pitch or roll angle, enhanced landing gear suspension, state-of-the-art avionics, night vision capability, and Boeing 737-grade landing lights.

Draco could launch in just 78 feet of ground roll and land in 110 feet. It climbed at up to 4,000 feet per minute, cruised at 160 miles per hour, and had a stall speed of only 35 miles per hour. It won multiple STOL competitions, including at Valdez, the High Sierra Fly-In, and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

DracoX is an evolution of the original Draco and elevates STOL performance to never-before-seen levels. The aircraft incorporates ten major improvements into the original Draco design, all based on careful analysis of its real-world performance.

DracoX is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6-140 that delivers 867 horsepower through a gearbox to a 5-blade MT composite propeller. Engineers added 3 inches of chord to the wing, improving low-speed performance without adding significant drag. Aileron length was increased by 2 feet for greater roll authority during slow flight and high angle-of-attack maneuvers. Internally, the wing incorporates a double spar for increased strength and payload capacity while retaining the original Draco’s protective carbon fiber tip systems.

The landing gear system of DracoX features in-line shock absorbers and large tundra tires. Its fuel supply system improves on the original Draco’s design. It includes a thermal infrared night vision suite, high-intensity Whelen Aerospace Technologies LED landing lights, and state-of-the-art Garmin flat-panel avionics. The cabin comfortably holds four passengers and includes a high-altitude oxygen system.

Classed by the FAA as an experimental exhibition aircraft, DracoX was designed for a wide spectrum of uses. Its wing hardpoints can carry external loads including dirt bikes or equipment pods. The cabin can be reconfigured for cargo or mission roles such as aerial photography or survey work, and the landing gear can be outfitted with skis for glacier operations.

DracoX delivers on the promise of being the most capable backcountry and adventure STOL aircraft ever developed. It can take off and land in shorter distances than the original Draco, climb faster, stall slower, cruise faster, and carry more payload internally and externally. It delivers exceptional high-density-altitude performance, top-tier efficiency, and unmatched maneuverability and ruggedness — a fusion of power, aerodynamic mastery, and structural strength.