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DRACO Aircraft operates as cutting-edge aviation company founded in 2023 with clear mission to revolutionize Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capabilities with groundbreaking HyperSTOL aircraft aimed Draco. Set to debut in 2028 inspired by rich legacy of aircraft innovation aiming to push boundaries of flight bringing unprecedented performance and accessibility to world of aviation. “Not a dream, it’s a reality” – Mike Patey built and flew DRACO validating real performance now bringing to market. HyperSTOL performance: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A turboprop engine coupled with 102-inch five-blade MT propeller propels DRACO to unparalleled performance with mere 80-foot takeoff distance, 4,200-feet-per-minute climb, and stall speed around 35 mph.

More: https://theflyingengineer.com/listing/draco-aircraft/

General aviation is witnessing significant advancements through the integration of modern technologies that markedly improve both safety and operational efficiency. A prime example is the collaboration between Polish startup Draco Aircraft and Mindset Technologies. Together, they plan to introduce an advanced pilot monitoring system into a new STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft currently in development. This move not only significantly enhances crew safety but also paves the way for the future implementation of a fully automated landing system (autoland).

More: https://www.aeroinfo.eu/advanced-pilot-monitoring-systems-are-coming-to-stol-aircraft/

V letectví přichází inovace v podobě pokročilých systémů monitorování pilotů. Tyto technologie, od společností Draco Aircraft a Mindset Technologies, představují předstupeň plně automatizovaného přistání a zvyšují bezpečnost i efektivitu.

V oblasti všeobecného letectví dochází k významným pokrokům spojeným s integrací moderních technologií, které citelně zvyšují bezpečnost i efektivitu provozu. Jedním z nejnovějších příkladů je spolupráce polského startupu Draco Aircraft se společností Mindset Technologies. Společně plánují zavést pokročilý systém monitorování pilotů do nově připravovaného letounu kategorie STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing). Tento krok nejen významně zvyšuje bezpečnost posádky, ale zároveň připravuje půdu pro budoucí zavedení plně automatického systému přistání (zóny „autoland“).

More: https://www.aeroweb.cz/clanky/10360-pokrocile-systemy-sledovani-pilotu-miri-do-letounu-stol

Draco Aircraft, the Poland-based company working to bring Mike Patey’s Draco into production, announced a partnership with another European company, the developer of a system that monitors a human pilot’s performance—and will be prepared to take over.

More: https://bellancaaircraft.com/draco-gets-a-mind-of-its-own-2/

STOL beast will monitor pilot, take over if needed

Draco Aircraft, the Poland-based company working to bring Mike Patey's Draco into production, announced a partnership with another European company, the developer of a system that monitors a human pilot's performance—and will be prepared to take over.

More: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2025/july/01/draco-gets-a-mind-of-its-own

In a promising step towards further developing flight safety, the Swiss company Mindset Technologies AG and the Polish company Draco Aircraft have announced a close collaboration.

The goal of this collaboration between two emerging high-tech startups is to integrate Mindset Technologies' unique expertise in predicting pilot performance into Draco's state-of-the-art aircraft. This alliance represents a significant milestone in improving flight safety. Beyond mere monitoring, the partners aim to combine Mindset's digital capabilities with Draco's flight control system in such a way that the aircraft can land autonomously and without external assistance in an emergency. The collaboration was made possible in large part by the European Union Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), into which both companies have been accepted.

More: https://aviation.direct/en/Flight-safety-of-the-future%3A-intelligent-pilot-monitoring-and-autonomous-emergency-landing

In einem vielversprechenden Schritt zur Weiterentwicklung der Flugsicherheit haben die Schweizer Mindset Technologies AG und das polnische Unternehmen Draco Aircraft eine enge Zusammenarbeit bekanntgegeben.

Ziel dieser Kooperation zweier aufstrebender Hightech-Start-ups ist die Integration der einzigartigen Kompetenz von Mindset Technologies zur Vorhersage der Leistungsfähigkeit von Pilotinnen und Piloten in die hochmodernen Flugzeuge von Draco. Diese Verbindung stellt einen bedeutenden Meilenstein für die Steigerung der Flugsicherheit dar. Über die bloße Überwachung hinaus streben die Partner an, die digitalen Fähigkeiten von Mindset mit dem Flugsteuerungssystem von Draco so zu verknüpfen, daß das Flugzeug im Notfall autonom und ohne externe Hilfe landen kann. Die Zusammenarbeit wurde maßgeblich durch das European Union Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) ermöglicht, in das beide Unternehmen aufgenommen wurden.

More: https://aviation.direct/flugsicherheit-der-zukunft-intelligente-pilotenueberwachung-und-autonome-notlandung

Pilot monitoring system integrated in STOL aircraft

Autoland the ultimate goal

Your next airplane may be keeping an eye on you to make sure you’re fit to fly. Polish startup Draco Aircraft has signed a deal with Mindset Technologies that will incorporate Mindset’s pilot surveillance equipment into the sport new STOL aircraft Draco is developing. At first, the tech “will warn pilots about signs of fatigue, leveraging intelligent sensors to measure e. g. eye movements or in-cockpit behavior,” Draco said in a news release. “This information makes it easier for pilots to take necessary action, on time.” Ultimately, the gear will allow an autoland system to take over entirely and put the aircraft down.

More: https://avweb.com/aviation-news/draco-to-assess-pilot-performance/

Warsaw, May 6, 2025

Draco Aircraft joins new network of European high-tech startups‚ European Union Defence Innovation Scheme‘ launched

Draco Aircraft has been chosen as one of only 39 high-tech startups throughout Europe to join a new initiative, set up by the European Union and the European Defence Fund, the EU Defence Innovation Scheme matchmaking.

The EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) is an instrument enabled by the European Defence Fund (EDF) to strengthen defence innovation in the European Union. EUDIS offers a set of instruments for start-ups to ensure more opportunities to access the European Defence Fund and find investors. The EUDIS matchmaking program supports innovators throughout the development cycle to mature, scale-up, demonstrate their use-case, grow and successfully enter the market.

Draco Aircraft is a perfect fit for this important boost to European security and defence: ‘Draco’, a four-seater aircraft with the impressive ability to take off and land on less than 30 m, without needing a concrete runway, is not only interesting to private customers who want to enjoy the freedom to go where they want. ‘Draco’, at the same time, is a perfect tool for public customers, e. g. for border guarding or natural disaster relief missions. In addition, ‘Draco’ serves the military need for flexible transport, reconnaissance, quick intervention, rescue or drone transport, being a useful addition to a flexible defence strategy.

Johannes von Thadden, Draco Aircraft’s CEO, underlined: “It is an honor to having been chosen to this Europe-wide program, and being the first Polish company to join the EU Defence Innovation Scheme matchmaking. This decision demonstrates the Draco’s high-tech competence and its usefulness to Europe and NATO. Being part of the EU program will help us to find investors. We are ready for take-off.”