Overview
The E-flite DRACO 2.0m Smart BNF Basic with AS3X and SAFE Select (model A-EFL12550) is one of the most detailed and feature-rich RC aircraft available in the UK market today, and the only officially-licensed scale replica of Mike Patey's ultimate bush plane. This is a serious, high-performance brushless RC aeroplane designed for experienced pilots who want to combine authentic STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) capability with stunning scale aesthetics. Whether you're looking for a challenging brushless RC plane or a truly unique model aircraft that turns heads at the flying field, the DRACO 2.0m delivers an unmatched experience that goes far beyond typical RC hobby aircraft.
Built on a reputation for engineering excellence, the DRACO 2.0m represents years of design refinement and innovation from E-flite. The airframe is constructed from fully-moulded EPO material with carbon fibre and wood reinforcement throughout, giving you a durable yet lightweight platform that can handle rough-field operations. The aircraft comes BNF Basic, meaning it includes the receiver, motor, ESC and all servos pre-installed and ready to fly – you just need to add your own 2.4GHz Spektrum transmitter, LiPo battery and charger. This makes it an ideal choice for intermediate to experienced RC enthusiasts who already have compatible radio equipment or are ready to invest in a quality transmitter setup.
The DRACO 2.0m is inspired by the incredible real-world aircraft that entrepreneur Mike Patey built in just over five months – a bush plane that can out-climb a Carbon Cub, reach altitudes of 28,000 feet, and cruise cross-country at 180 mph while carrying four people and gear. This RC model captures that same spirit of innovation and performance, with functional features like licensed KING shocks, leading-edge slats, slotted flaps and oversized tundra-style tyres that provide genuine STOL performance rather than just appearance. If you're serious about RC flying in the UK and want an aircraft that combines authentic scale detail with real-world functionality, this is a machine that demands your attention.
Key Features
- Officially Licensed DRACO Scale Replica — This is the only authorised scale model of Mike Patey's one-of-a-kind bush plane, making it truly unique in the RC aircraft market. The licensing ensures absolute authenticity in design and detail, giving you a model that real aviation enthusiasts will immediately recognise and respect.
- Extra Scale Detailing Throughout — The airframe features an abundance of moulded-in surface details, functional steps, scale antennas, wingtip stinger skids and numerous other refinements that make this aircraft stand out from typical sport planes. Every detail has been carefully engineered rather than simply glued on, ensuring durability and authentic appearance.
- Functional KING Shocks and Suspension — Licensed scale-like KING shocks are fitted to both the main landing gear and tailwheel, allowing the aircraft to absorb impacts when landing on rough fields and uneven terrain. This is genuine functional engineering, not just decoration – these shocks actually improve your ability to operate from challenging surfaces.
- Leading-Edge Slats and Slotted Flaps — These aren't cosmetic features; they're fully functional and contribute to the DRACO's exceptional STOL performance. The slats and flaps work together to generate additional lift at lower speeds, allowing you to take off and land in dramatically shorter distances than conventional aircraft.
- 17 Integrated LED Lighting System — The aircraft includes navigation lights, landing lights, downward-facing lights, tail beacon and reversing lights, all controlled by an adjustable light controller that allows you to select from multiple solid, strobing and combination lighting modes via your transmitter. This transforms the aircraft into a flying light show and greatly enhances visibility during low-light flying sessions.
- Spektrum Avian 100A Smart ESC — This is one of the most advanced electronic speed controllers available, providing real-time telemetry data directly to your transmitter including motor RPM, current draw, battery voltage, ESC temperature and individual cell voltages when using Spektrum Smart batteries. This comprehensive power system monitoring helps you manage your flying safely and optimise your battery usage.
- AR637TA Smart Receiver with Full-Range Telemetry — The included Spektrum receiver delivers full-range 2.4GHz DSMX technology with no range limitations, and provides real-time telemetry feedback to compatible AirWare-equipped transmitters. The receiver has been factory-installed and tested, so you can fly with complete confidence in reliability and range.
- AS3X Stability Technology — This exclusive Spektrum technology works behind the scenes to smooth out the effects of wind and turbulence, delivering a locked-in feel that makes the large-scale aircraft seem even more stable and planted in the air. AS3X is active at all times, continuously processing gyro data to maintain consistent control response.
- Optional SAFE Select Flight Envelope Protection — When enabled, SAFE Select provides pitch and bank angle limits along with automatic self-levelling that can be toggled on and off with a switch on your transmitter. This optional feature makes the aircraft more forgiving if you make a control input error, automatically returning the aircraft to level flight if released. You can turn SAFE Select off entirely if you prefer pure manual control.
- High-Power Brushless Motor System — The factory-installed brushless outrunner motor is matched to a large-diameter 4-blade propeller and is compatible with battery packs ranging from 4S (14.8V) up to 6S (22.2V) LiPo configuration. This gives you complete flexibility to choose 4S for smooth, scale-like flight characteristics or step up to 6S for better-than-scale vertical performance and more aggressive flying.
- Wide Battery Compatibility — The generous battery bay accepts any 4S to 6S LiPo pack between 4000mAh and 7000mAh capacity, allowing you to dial in the performance and flight time that suits your flying style. With 4S power you'll achieve flight times around 10–15+ minutes depending on your flying style, and you can carry multiple batteries to extend your flying session.
- Six Metal-Geared Servos with Ball-Link Linkages — The aircraft comes with six factory-installed metal-geared servos featuring internal ball-link equipped linkages that deliver crisp, precise and reliable control response. Metal gears ensure durability over extended use, and the internal linkages eliminate slop and backlash for exact control input transmission.
- Custom Carbon Fibre Main Landing Gear — The main gear is crafted from custom-moulded carbon fibre and fitted with oversized tundra-style tyres that absorb bumps and provide excellent prop clearance. The carbon fibre construction is both lightweight and strong, able to handle the stress of rough-field operations and repeated landings on unprepared surfaces.
- Shock-Equipped Steerable Tailwheel — The tailwheel is fitted with a shock absorber to reduce impact stress and includes steering capability, allowing you to taxi forward and backward with precision. When used with a compatible 7+ channel transmitter, optional motor reversing is available for specialised ground handling and backup capability.
- Two-Piece Wing with Tool-Free Assembly — The wing is split into two sections secured with quarter-turn thumbscrews, allowing field assembly and disassembly without any tools. The V2 hands-free servo connection system further speeds up setup, so you can be flight-ready in less time than it takes to charge a battery.
- Magnetically Secured Top Hatch — The large and convenient top hatch is magnetically secured and provides full access to the spacious battery compartment, making battery installation and swapping incredibly quick and easy. This design eliminates fumbling with clips or latches when changing batteries between flights.
- Factory-Applied Paint and Decals — The aircraft arrives with a factory-applied paint finish and detailed decals applied at the factory, saving you significant assembly time and ensuring a professional appearance straight from the box. The paint quality is excellent and the decals are vibrant and accurately positioned.
- Fully-Moulded EPO Airframe — The durable EPO foam construction is fully moulded (not plastic shell) with integral carbon fibre and wood reinforcement throughout the airframe. This construction method provides the perfect balance of weight, strength and durability for an aircraft of this size and performance class.
- Detailed Cockpit with Backlit Instruments — The clear windshield and side windows reveal a carefully detailed cockpit interior featuring a pilot figure and backlit instrument panel that adds to the scale authenticity and looks particularly impressive when flying at dusk with the LED lighting system active.
Technical Performance
The DRACO 2.0m represents a significant engineering achievement in RC aircraft design. The brushless motor system is a high-power unit specifically engineered to work with 4S, 5S or 6S LiPo battery configurations, providing flexibility in performance versus flight time trade-offs. The 100-amp Spektrum Avian Smart ESC is one of the most sophisticated electronic speed controllers available for RC aircraft, capable of delivering the rapid power delivery needed for impressive vertical performance whilst continuously monitoring and reporting real-time telemetry including motor RPM, instantaneous current draw, pack voltage and individual cell voltages. The airframe itself measures 1974mm (77.7 inches) in wingspan and 1346mm (53 inches) in length, making it a substantial and impressive aircraft at the flying field. Weight varies depending on your battery choice: with a 6S 5000mAh 30C pack the aircraft weighs approximately 4535 grams (10.0 lbs), whilst the airframe alone without battery weighs around 3855 grams (8.5 lbs). The fully-moulded EPO construction with carbon fibre and wood reinforcement provides excellent strength-to-weight characteristics, allowing the aircraft to perform with crisp control response despite its substantial size. The large-diameter 4-blade propeller is specifically designed to work with the brushless motor system and generates the high thrust required for impressive STOL performance. Battery bay capacity accepts packs from 4000mAh to 7000mAh, with typical flight times ranging from 10 to 15+ minutes depending on battery size, battery voltage (4S/5S/6S), flying style and power usage. The Spektrum AR637TA receiver provides full-range 2.4GHz DSMX technology with six channels of control, meaning there is no range limitation and no possibility of frequency conflicts with other pilots' equipment. The AS3X gyro stabilisation system continuously processes flight data from three-axis gyroscopes and automatically applies corrective control inputs to counteract the effects of wind gusts and turbulence, effectively making the aircraft feel more stable and locked-in than its actual size would suggest. The optional SAFE Select flight envelope protection system can limit control inputs to realistic pitch and bank angles and provide automatic self-levelling, making this an excellent aircraft for building confidence and skill even for intermediate pilots stepping up from smaller trainer aircraft.
What's in the Box
- E-flite DRACO 2.0m airframe (fully factory-finished)
- 100A Spektrum Avian Brushless Smart ESC (pre-installed)
- Brushless outrunner motor (pre-installed)
- Six metal-geared servos (pre-installed)
- Spektrum AR637TA 6-channel Smart receiver (pre-installed)
- Product manual and assembly documentation
- Adjustable LED light controller
- 17 integrated LED modules (navigation, landing, downward, tail beacon and reversing lights)
What You Need to Complete
- Full-range 6–8+ channel Spektrum DSMX/DSM2 compatible 2.4GHz transmitter (suggested: DX6e, DX8e, DX6 G2/G3, DX8 G2, DX9, NX6, NX8, NX10, iX12, iX20 or compatible AirWare-equipped radio)
- 4S 14.8V to 6S 22.2V LiPo battery pack (4000–7000mAh capacity with EC5 or IC5 connector)
- Compatible LiPo battery charger (suitable for your chosen battery configuration)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the E-flite DRACO 2.0m suitable for beginners or new RC pilots? — The DRACO 2.0m is designed for intermediate to experienced RC pilots with at least one or two previous aircraft flying under their belt. Whilst the BNF Basic version includes AS3X stabilisation and optional SAFE Select features that make the aircraft more forgiving, the large size, substantial power and advanced systems mean this is not recommended as a first aircraft. If you're completely new to RC flying, E-flite recommends learning with a purpose-built trainer aircraft such as the HobbyZone Carbon Cub S 2, which is equipped with innovative SAFE technology specifically designed to help newcomers learn successfully.
- What transmitter do I need to fly the DRACO 2.0m? — You need a full-range 6–8+ channel Spektrum DSMX or DSM2 compatible 2.4GHz transmitter. Suggested compatible options include the Spektrum DX6e, DX8e, DX6 G2/G3, DX8 G2, DX9, NX6, NX8, NX10, iX12 or iX20. If your transmitter features AirWare and is DSMX equipped, you'll be able to receive real-time telemetry data from the Avian Smart ESC and AR637TA receiver including battery voltage, current, motor RPM and temperature information. A minimum 6-channel transmitter is required; 7+ channels are suggested if you want to use optional motor reversing capability.
- What battery does the DRACO 2.0m require and what flight times can I expect? — The aircraft accepts any 4S 14.8V to 6S 22.2V LiPo battery pack between 4000mAh and 7000mAh capacity, with EC5 or IC5 connectors. For smooth, scale-like flying characteristics choose a 4S pack; for better-than-scale vertical performance and more aggressive flying step up to 5S or 6S power. Battery capacity affects flight time – larger capacity packs (5000–7000mAh) generally provide longer flights of 10–15+ minutes, whilst smaller packs (4000mAh) will give slightly shorter flights but lighter weight and snappier performance. Your actual flight time will vary depending on your flying style, power usage and the weight of your chosen battery.
- Can I use motor reversing with the DRACO 2.0m? — Yes, optional motor reversing is available when used with a compatible 7+ channel Spektrum transmitter and the Smart receiver installed in the BNF Basic version. Motor reversing enables special ground handling capabilities and allows you to taxi backward, which is particularly useful on narrow bush strips or when manoeuvring in tight spaces. This feature must be configured in your transmitter's setup menu and requires a transmitter with at least 7 channels to operate.
- How is the DRACO 2.0m different from other large-scale RC aircraft? — The DRACO 2.0m is the only officially-licensed scale replica of Mike Patey's extraordinary real-world bush plane, making it completely unique in the RC market. Beyond the official licensing and exceptional scale detail, the aircraft features genuine functional features including licensed KING shocks, leading-edge slats and slotted flaps that actually contribute to its STOL performance rather than being purely cosmetic. The combination of Extra Scale detailing, advanced Spektrum AS3X and SAFE Select technologies, sophisticated 100-amp Smart ESC with full telemetry, and the ability to operate on 4S–6S power gives the DRACO a level of capability and sophistication that sets it apart from typical large RC aircraft.
- What is AS3X technology and how does it improve my flying? — AS3X stands for Spektrum's exclusive Attitude Stabilisation via Gain Scheduling on three axes. The system uses three-axis gyroscopes to continuously monitor the aircraft's orientation and automatically applies corrective control inputs to smooth out the effects of wind gusts and turbulence. The result is a locked-in, planted feel that makes the DRACO 2.0m feel more stable and easier to control than its large size would suggest, particularly in gusty conditions. AS3X is active at all times and works transparently in the background – you don't need to do anything special to benefit from it.
- What is SAFE Select and can I turn it off if I don't want it? — SAFE Select is an optional Spektrum flight envelope protection system that, when enabled via a transmitter switch, limits the aircraft's pitch and bank angles to realistic values and provides automatic self-levelling if you release the control stick. This makes the aircraft more forgiving of control input errors and helps prevent overcontrol. You can completely disable SAFE Select by simply binding your receiver normally without activating SAFE in your transmitter setup – in this case only AS3X stabilisation will be active, giving you pure manual control with gyro assistance.
- How long does assembly take and do I need special tools? — The DRACO 2.0m is designed for quick field assembly with no special tools required. The two-piece wing is secured with simple quarter-turn thumbscrews, and the V2 hands-free servo connections speed up setup further. The magnetically-secured top hatch provides quick access to the battery compartment. The aircraft can be flight-ready in less time than it takes to charge a battery – typically just 10–15 minutes from box to flying field. However, you should allow time to familiarise yourself with the assembly process and check all connections before your first flight.
- What materials is the DRACO 2.0m constructed from and how durable is it? — The airframe is constructed from fully-moulded EPO (expanded polystyrene) foam with carbon fibre and wood reinforcement throughout the structure. This combination provides an excellent balance of weight, strength and impact resistance. EPO is more durable than many alternative materials and can handle rough-field operations and impacts from takeoffs and landings on unprepared surfaces. The custom carbon fibre main landing gear with oversized tundra-style tyres and shock-equipped tailwheel are specifically engineered to absorb the stresses of bush-plane operations.
- What LED lighting options are available and how do I control them? — The aircraft includes 17 total integrated LED modules including navigation lights, landing lights, downward-facing lights, tail beacon and reversing lights. These are controlled by an adjustable light controller that allows you to select from multiple solid, strobing and combination lighting modes directly from your transmitter. This gives you complete flexibility to choose lighting configurations that suit your flying session, and the LED system greatly enhances visibility and adds visual appeal, particularly during low-light flying.
- Does the DRACO 2.0m come with a transmitter, battery or charger? — The DRACO 2.0m BNF Basic version does not include a transmitter, battery or charger. BNF (Bind-and-Fly) means the aircraft comes with the receiver pre-installed, but you must supply your own compatible Spektrum transmitter, LiPo battery and charger. This approach allows experienced modellers to use equipment they already own or to select exactly the transmitter and battery setup that suits their needs and budget. If you need everything in one complete package, E-flite offers an ULTIMATE Combo that includes the aircraft, transmitter, Smart battery, Smart charger and other accessories.
- Can I use my existing RC equipment with the DRACO 2.0m? — Yes, provided you already own a full-range 6–8+ channel Spektrum DSMX/DSM2 compatible transmitter and have suitable LiPo batteries with EC5 or IC5 connectors. Simply bind the AR637TA receiver to your transmitter following standard binding procedures, and you'll be ready to fly. If your transmitter features AirWare, you can also access real-time telemetry data from the Avian Smart ESC.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the EFL DRACO 2.0m Smart BNF Basic with AS3X and SAFE Select A-EFL12550 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
