Brawny, reborn 'Draco' STOL aircraft gets power boost

Short-field enthusiasts have been buzzing about Draco ever since the prototype, built by pilot and YouTuber Patey, made its debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2018. News of the engine upgrade arrived a few weeks after Warsaw, Poland-based Draco Aircraft announced a collaboration to build and certify a production airplane for the general aviation market.

With the additional power, the production Draco, which the company plans to certify by 2028, will be able to take off in less than 30 meters (98 feet) from off-airport surfaces, climb at more than 4,000 feet per minute, with a stall speed of about 35 miles per hour, the company said. The engine choice also means customers will benefit from Pratt & Whitney’s network of service facilities and field support.

“With Pratt & Whitney Canada we didn’t only find the world's best supplier for such an engine, but also a partner who will support Draco Aircraft all the way from design to certification,” said Johannes von Thadden, CEO of Draco Aircraft. “P&WC already knows Draco well from working with Mike Patey to equip his Draco prototype. The new PT6A-135A engine will make Draco a very reliable and unique aircraft for anyone who wants to experience flight at its best.”

“Pratt & Whitney Canada is confident in the PT6A’s performance and reliability—making it the premier choice for the Draco aircraft,” said Christopher Scott McElvaine, vice president of business development and commercial services at Pratt & Whitney Canada. “We will continue to leverage our expertise in collaboration with Draco Aircraft to meet the expectations of our customers.”