Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Meet the aircraft
The Polish PZL-104 Wilga was designed as a short-field utility aircraft, with a high wing, extensively glazed cabin and distinctive landing gear. It has served aeroclubs and utility operators in roles including towing and observation. Mike Patey's DRACO was an extensively modified turbine-powered Wilga. DRACO X in Microsoft Flight Simulator is a separate Got Friends interpretation with its own equipment and features.
Aircraft background
Wikipedia contributors · Read more ↗Taking responsibility after losing the original DRACO
Hours after the original DRACO was destroyed during departure from Reno/Stead, Patey spoke openly about the choices he regretted. He told AOPA that his wife and their fellow passenger were physically well, and described crawling out beneath the broken left wing. The aircraft that had brought him a large following was gone, but the people aboard had survived.
AOPA interview · September 2019. Original turbine-converted Wilga DRACO, the predecessor to the simulator’s DRACO X. Patey’s recollection, not an accident-investigation finding.
AOPA · Read more ↗DRACO X's simulator-specific equipment
The manual identifies three-axis trim, separate pilot and copilot autopilot disconnects, G3X displays and custom landing-gear squat behaviour. These belong to the simulation.
Draco X · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube Vintage Simulations · 21 min ·
Draco X - Low Level Fun Around Monument Valley - Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
A low-level sightseeing flight in the MSFS 2024 Draco X.
Simulator · Draco X · MSFS 2024
Watch on YouTube ↗Preview images are served by AirframeDB. Videos open on YouTube only when you choose to watch.
Meet Draco X
The Polish PZL-104 Wilga was designed as a short-field utility aircraft, with a high wing, extensively glazed cabin and distinctive landing gear. It has served aeroclubs and utility operators in roles including towing and observation.
Mike Patey's DRACO was an extensively modified turbine-powered Wilga. DRACO X in Microsoft Flight Simulator is a separate Got Friends interpretation with its own equipment and features. The developer manual describes DRACO X's simulated equipment and features.
Draco X
Aircraft type designators
A model-specific ICAO or FAA designator has not been confirmed in the references reviewed for this aircraft.
History & design
An AirVenture debut in 2018
EAA reported that Patey finished the original DRACO eight days before AirVenture 2018 and flew it to Oshkosh. The extensively modified Wilga then appeared in the convention’s short-field competition.
Experimental Aircraft Association · DRACO: a beast of a bushplane ↗EAA’s March 2019 report; performance superlatives and unqualified demonstration distances not adopted
A planned successor takes shape in the simulator
Got Friends’ manual describes DRACO X as a design still being developed with Mike Patey. Its simulator equipment reflects that proposed successor, rather than an unchanged copy of the original DRACO.
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Draco X ↗November 2024 manual · PDF pp.3–4; dated project description, not confirmation of present build status
Development milestones
First flight: 24 April 1962
Wikipedia contributors · PZL-104 Wilga ↗PZL-104 Wilga · family/variant named by the source · Wikipedia revision 1366088443
Pilot accounts
Taking responsibility after losing the original DRACO
Hours after the original DRACO was destroyed during departure from Reno/Stead, Patey spoke openly about the choices he regretted. He told AOPA that his wife and their fellow passenger were physically well, and described crawling out beneath the broken left wing. The aircraft that had brought him a large following was gone, but the people aboard had survived.
Patey said he could have waited for the gusty wind to ease or chosen another runway. He took responsibility for continuing with the departure and wanted other pilots to learn from his experience. His public response gives a personal ending to the original DRACO’s short flying career, before the later DRACO X project.
AOPA interview · September 2019. Original turbine-converted Wilga DRACO, the predecessor to the simulator’s DRACO X. Patey’s recollection, not an accident-investigation finding.
Read the full account · AOPA ↗In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
MSFS 2024Draco X
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Draco X
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Aircraft specifications
Published figures for the named real-aircraft variant. Simulator equipment and performance can differ.
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Length | 8.10 m (26 ft 6 in) |
| Wingspan | 11.12 m (36 ft 5 in) |
| Height | 2.96 m (9 ft 6 in) |
| Wing area | 15.50 m² (166.85 sq ft) |
| Empty weight | 900 kg (1,984 lb) |
| Gross weight | 1,300 kg (2,868 lb) |
| Powerplant | 1 × Ivchenko AI-14 RA air-cooled 9-cylinder radial piston engine , 194 kW (260 hp) |
| Maximum speed | 195 km/h (121 mph, 105 kn) |
| Range | 670 km (416 mi, 361 nmi) |
| Service ceiling | 4,040 m (13,250 ft) |
| Rate of climb | 5.5 m/s (1,082 ft/min) |
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Simulator documentation
DRACO X's simulator-specific equipmentDraco X · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
The manual identifies three-axis trim, separate pilot and copilot autopilot disconnects, G3X displays and custom landing-gear squat behaviour. These belong to the simulation.
Got Friends DRACO X manual · PDF pp.5,7
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read the source ↗Door removal and opening use different controlsDraco X · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
Door handles open or close each door; separate removal levers provide the open-cockpit option.
DRACO X manual · PDF p.8
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read the source ↗The low-fuel indicators also open fuel configurationDraco X · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
The cockpit legend identifies a fuel-configuration click action on the wing-tank low-fuel indicators.
DRACO X manual · PDF p.7
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read the source ↗Some labelled switches are inoperativeDraco X · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
The cockpit legend marks the 747 pod light and tail-camera functions as inoperative.
DRACO X manual · PDF p.7; documented limitations, installed revision not observed
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read the source ↗Headphone simulation has its own toggleDraco X · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
The interior includes a headphone-simulation switch, separate from the aircraft’s radio controls.
DRACO X manual · PDF p.8
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read the source ↗Enter through the left door or its stepDraco X · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
In MSFS 2024, the left door triggers entry and exit. With that door removed, the left doorstep becomes the trigger.
DRACO X manual · PDF p.8; explicitly MSFS 2024
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read the source ↗Pilot account
Taking responsibility after losing the original DRACOAOPA interview · September 2019. Original turbine-converted Wilga DRACO, the predecessor to the simulator’s DRACO X. Patey’s recollection, not an accident-investigation finding.
Hours after the original DRACO was destroyed during departure from Reno/Stead, Patey spoke openly about the choices he regretted. He told AOPA that his wife and their fellow passenger were physically well, and described crawling out beneath the broken left wing. The aircraft that had brought him a large following was gone, but the people aboard had survived. Patey said he could have waited for the gusty wind to ease or chosen another runway.
Mike Patey
AOPA · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Manual
Draco XMicrosoft / aircraft developers Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft manualsMicrosoft / aircraft developersAircraft background
PZL-104 WilgaWikipedia contributors · Research background · Wikipedia revision 1366088443 · retrieved 2026-09-12 DRACO: a beast of a bushplaneExperimental Aircraft Association · 5 March 2019 · original DRACO, before its lossResource
MSFS 2024 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoftBuilt-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 1 profile choice
Draco X
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2024
Draco X: The selected resistance accompanies the modified-aircraft rendition.
Draco X
Draco X: The selected resistance accompanies the modified-aircraft rendition.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- Draco X · MSFS 2024 · family starting point
Draco X · The manual describes the DracoX project and simulator version, with projected-performance wording in its introduction.
The simulator model and controls
The Polish PZL-104 Wilga was designed as a short-field utility aircraft, with a high wing, extensively glazed cabin and distinctive landing gear. It has served aeroclubs and utility operators in roles including towing and observation.
This starting point selects Draco X. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
How this profile feels
The selected resistance accompanies the modified-aircraft rendition. Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Pitch relief uses the configured trim response rather than assuming standard-Wilga gearing. Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
Controls and trim
DRACO X is Got Friends’ simulator interpretation of Mike Patey’s extensively modified turbine Wilga. Its equipment and features belong to that rendition, while accounts of the original DRACO supply explicitly named aircraft history. A standard Wilga’s engine and gear are a different configuration.
About the values
The gains are normalized profile settings. They describe the chosen effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its output limits. IAS references are tuning values rather than operating limits. Physical acceptance of this revision remains pending.
What the documentation establishes
The manual describes the DracoX project and simulator version, with projected-performance wording in its introduction.
Leading-edge slats and double-slotted Fowler flaps are described; exact flap-detent completeness remains unresolved.
The manual's projected160 knot cruise differs from its156 knot speed table, with different status and no complete IAS definition.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
ReviewedThis starting point selects Draco X. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
Flight controls
Not yet reviewedDRACO X is Got Friends’ simulator interpretation of Mike Patey’s extensively modified turbine Wilga. Its equipment and features belong to that rendition, while accounts of the original DRACO supply explicitly named aircraft history. A standard Wilga’s engine and gear are a different configuration.
Trim
Not yet reviewedPitch relief uses the configured trim response rather than assuming standard-Wilga gearing. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.14.
Autopilot and stability
Not yet reviewedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
ReviewedGear, flap and ground cues follow the selected settings and available simulator-reported states.
Speeds and limits
ReviewedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
Not yet reviewedThe profile targets msfs2024. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
Not yet reviewedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyThe selected resistance accompanies the modified-aircraft rendition. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 72.5 KIAS. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.68 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.68 with an indicated-speed reference of 145 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value145.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value72.5 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1.0 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
All 44 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyThe selected resistance accompanies the modified-aircraft rendition. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 72.5 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.05 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.68 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.68 with an indicated-speed reference of 145 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value20 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value72.5 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value145.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.1. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 72.5 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1.0 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyPitch relief uses the configured trim response rather than assuming standard-Wilga gearing. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.14. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0.14 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.6 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0.28 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0.14 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value4 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value2 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.42 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0.32 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0.82 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0.48 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.06 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- High-lift design and low-speed handling do not establish the DracoX primary-control linkage or force gradient.
- The short DracoX manual does not document a trim mechanism.
- No autopilot system is established by the retained manual.
- The manual does not define external trim, slat or autopilot signals.
- Projected low-speed capability supplies no measured stick loading or turboprop vibration amplitude.
- Draco X documentary evidence does not establish force-feedback hardware acceptance.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.
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