Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation (Łukasiewicz – ILOT), Mielec Aviation Works (MZL), and DRACO Aircraft signed letters of intent regarding collaboration on the development and construction of the DRACO aircraft. The event took place on February 3, 2025, in Warsaw.
DRACO is a revolutionary four-seater aircraft enabling takeoff and landing at distances shorter than 30 meters (Short Take Off and Landing – STOL) without requiring a fixed runway. The civilian version of DRACO will be an attractive offering for private pilots seeking unique STOL performance while needing a proven and safe means of transport with a spacious cabin accommodating up to 4 people. DRACO is also a concept for a modern light combat support aircraft, designed to perform three types of missions: air target engagement, ground operations, and reconnaissance/patrol, including law enforcement operations - as an alternative to large and expensive aircraft or helicopters.
DRACO Aircraft, a Warsaw-based startup, has acquired intellectual property rights to the Wilga air-craft from Airbus Poland and simultaneously agreed with American aircraft designer Mike Patey for the transfer of all modifications made to date, enabling further improvement and adaptation of the current design.
DRACO Aircraft plans to develop an aircraft version that will obtain certification from European and American aviation safety authorities, EASA and FAA, followed by the market introduction of the DRACO aircraft. The necessary design modifications will be implemented by Łukasiewicz – ILOT's experienced engineering team. Simultaneously, DRACO Aircraft and Łukasiewicz – ILOT will jointly apply as a consortium for project funding from the European Union. MZL will take over the con-struction of two prototypes required for certification, one for required ground tests and another for flight tests.
Johannes von Thadden, CEO of DRACO Aircraft, emphasized: "Our collaboration with Łukasiewicz – ILOT and MZL is another important step toward bringing DRACO to market in 2028. We have already received preliminary inquiries from interested customers and are conducting negotiations with in-vestors regarding this excellent project. Łukasiewicz – ILOT and MZL will use their expertise to ensure DRACO's realization."
Paweł Stężycki, Director of Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation, confirmed: "DRACO is an excellent aircraft based on Polish engineering knowledge. Our Institute is proud to participate in the design work and prototype construction together with our subsidiary MZL."
Roman Ignasiak, CEO of MZL, added: "For MZL, it is important that we expand our aviation services in areas that create new designs, and even more importantly, that we strengthen our modernization and production capabilities in aircraft assembly and construction."
In the next phase, the parties to the agreement will undertake actions aimed at defining engineering challenges, developing an action plan, and securing funds for further development.
additional Information
DRACO Aircraft is a Warsaw startup, founded in late 2023, holding all rights to develop and build DRACO. Contact: Johannes von Thadden, +48 601 203 250.
Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation, established in Warsaw in 1926, is a Polish research institute employing 1,400 people in 30 specialized laboratories. More details: http://ilot.lukasiewicz.gov.pl. Contact: mar-keting@ilot.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
Since 2022, Mielec Aviation Works has been a subsidiary of Łukasiewicz – ILOT. Previously part of Airbus Poland, MZL operates a fleet of over 40 aircraft and specializes in aviation services such as firefighting and forest protection. More details: https://mzl.com.pl. Contact: kontakt@mzl.com.pl.
