Carbon Fiber Slats for my Wingless Airplane | Scrappy #50 

I don't even own a plane or fly myself. And yet here I am, watching all those videos, being fascinated by the insane level of detail and engineering marvels... 😎👍

Whenever a new video comes out I stop what I'm doing watch it and then go back to work. 😂

Mike, I was a Manufacturing Engineer, for Groen Bros. Aviation, working on the Sparrowhawk gyroplane, of which I believe there is at least one at the Spanish Fork Airport. That all being said, we used Fiber Glass, using the Vacuum Infusion Process to build many parts. One of those parts was the Tail. We built the individual parts with the customer putting the parts together. Your process here, while using carbon fiber, is very close to what we used. We definitely didn't use the tighter tolerances that you're using, but we made them where they needed to be. Nice to see your use of the Water Jet, which I also used while at Action Target cutting AR steels. I actually designed the vats that held the water to keep the metal chilled as it was getting cut. My design cut the time of cleaning the vats from days to an hour, or so. Thanks for bringing back the memories.

It’s crazy that thousands of us get this excited to see slats being made... I can’t wait for the rest of the wing to be done!!!!!

I'm not even sad that the Scrappy build is drawing to a close because once it ends Draco X will start

Mike, THANK YOU for taking the time to keep us updated on your love of aviation. You still amaze me at everything you can do. I don’t think there’s anything you can’t build or do. 😁👌🏼

I don't know what's better: the carbon fiber work, the precision in designing the parts and fitting, the cutting-edge technology or the happy face of Mike when building this AMAZING plane.

Mike, I used a similar process for some aero parts on our TransAM car. I picked up a cheap Harbor Freight parts washer, plumbed in a large truck oil filter and ran my acetone in the parts washer. Made it real easy to clean the foam out of molded parts. The big oil filter would hold the residue of about 10 cu/ft of foam

Yes! A fresh scrappy video right before bed after working all night is a perfect way to sign off. You are an inspiration Mike and I hope one day I'll get to see scrappy fly in person. You're only 30 minutes away from me lol

I couldn’t wait to get up on Saturday morning to watch Wonder Dog when I was a kid in the 60’s. Now I get to watch Wonder Mike on Saturday morning!! Heck of a deal!! Back to work!!

A new Mike Patey video comes out, EVERYTHING STOPS......even when I’m at work in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. Great guy who I would trust 100% to make me a plane. You know you would receive absolute perfection.

Hi Mike. It is a pleasure to watch you. Every week you inspire me a little more to get up and do things because of the joy of creation. There ought to be a life lesson for all of us and at the end of the day say what did you create and how much joy do you have for living today's life. This is what you are an example of and I would include your vlogs in teaching such.

I work at Home Depot and we appreciate your Business. When i watch each video i count how many items you use that come from HD. Just a little game of mine

Waterjets are indeed super cool. We had one at the welding school I went to. Amazing what they can cut with and without the garnet. Apparently they use them to cut chicken and diapers and all sorts of weird things like that without the abrasive medium. Then like you said amazing thicknesses of metal with the abrasive. Another thing I think is really cool is how the abrasive is dispensed, and lined up into a stream of single particles in line in the water stream. Ours was 60,000 psi also and it was a fairly smallish one, I guess they make them with pumps that can do even higher pressures, like nearly double that. Incredible!!!!

I know I've said it before but Mike's passion and enthusiasm is very refreshing!

It’s funny, I run a fine wallpaper/mural installation business and I’m amazed at how much the carbon fiber work reminds me of what I do everyday.

Hi From Australia Your talent is so amazing, as 72 year old RC glider pilot I really appreciate the depths of your build,

Mike, words cannot describe how amazing you are! The way you think through these tasks, the attention to the smallest details, truly is awe-inspiring. Thank you for everything you do!!

"[Things that are too rigid break. You gotta be flexible; like in life and relationships...]" Well that took a turn I wasn't expecting, haha. True though.

I loved watching the build on Draco. When you were just talking about Scrappy back in the day I have to admit I wasn't all that excited about a cub. I have watched every episode of scrappy so far and I can't wait to see it fly. I'm all in!

Holy guacamole, the thoroughness and precision of engineering just keeps getting ever more impressive. I imagine a lot of owners wish Mike would batch-produce some of these parts for sale, they surely exceed the specs and quality of anything else out there. Really looking forward to seeing what Scrappy tips the scales at - going to be pretty a remarkable number I expect.

It may not be the coolest, most fun, or most glamorous... but it still has to be done. Sometimes, small, tedious, and most time consuming turn out to be the most rewarding. Man, gotta love R & D. It’s awesome... AND you learn a thing or two.

With so much thought & preparation, Mike Patey is not a guy that will just 'Wing-It' 😂

"video posted 4 seconds ago" they smile upon me today.

I've been watching Mike off and on for quite awhile. I went so far as completing my first solo cross country, many, many, years ago, until the money ran out... Love flying though :) I would have the biggest smile on my face, if I ever had the chance to fly with Mike... I can only dream... Keep up the great work Mike. I will always watch your videos.

Mike, the amount of thought, design and detail that you give each part is incredible. A factory with a team of engineers couldn't match a build like this. I don't own a plane or fly but have been fascinated since I was a kid with anything capable of touching the sky from kites to rockets and I really enjoy your videos. Thank you for bringing us along for the journey.

Mark went full philosophical on the life lessons of rigidity! I love it.

Used to make “napalm” as a kid out of foam and acetone. Worked good for taking care of the red ant hills around the house.

I'm not involved with flying, but I do admire your inventive work ethic, In my eyes you and your brother are the model that kids need to see. Thank you.

I am amazed at the things I learn watching you. My pilots license was suspended due to heart problems. I did 22 1/2 years on the AF and another 22 years 7 months Working for a civilian contractor to the AF, Navy, Army, and other NATO, and heads of state aircraft. Drain holes?? now I know. I knew a fuselage would expand like a bubble in flight but never thought about wings, flaps ailerons etc. At 73 still wanting to fly but cannot, I learned something. Like they say your never to old to learn or is it teach an old dog new tricks. I thought I knew airplanes and why things were where they were. Have a great week. God bless you and your family.

I currently fly a paramotor. But there’s something about watching mike create this dream of his that is infectious and makes me want to take my aviation to the next level. I have watched every video on this channel and get excited every time a new video drops.

Slept in for a change and was awarded on waking by a Mike/Scrappy video posted 13 min earlier, before breakfast. After, back to work! Yes.

Heck yes! Micro Drako claiming the Scrappy slats. This all so difficult to reconcile. Thank you Mike for sharing this all.

Mike, nice to see Mark involved in this as well. I totally am blown away by your design ideas and how you put this together. Sure, it's labor intensive, but I can't think of anyone who does things like this. It truly is amazing. I'd kind of like to crawl inside of your mind, but I think I would be terrified. All the stuff that must go through your head, it's amazing if this is the result. But, for most people, it's just too much. Know that I appreciate your design work.

Mike! Scrappy becomes less and less scrap with each build ,😂. This looks like it's going to be an awesome bush plane. I'm really looking forward to the point where you get it flying. I didn't think there could be a larger bush beast than Draco. Scrapping being based on a Super Cub is every backcountry pilot's dream airplane. Unbelievably you're going to top Draco.

This man exudes enthusiasm. It's fantastic watching these little snippets. Thanks for sharing.

Mike Patey - Engineer, Designer, Builder, Chemist, Pilot, Business owner, Artist and MAGICIAN! Not necessarily in this order. Oh, and insomniac probably. When does he sleep?!? Amazing and inspiring as always!

Ya know, it absolutely sucks to have to wait seven more days for the next video! I soak this stuff up like a thirsty sponge. I am amazed at the thought Mike puts into each and every detail of his build. Me on the other hand, I agonize on how I am going to accomplish a step. I agonized over how I was going to retain my fuel tanks in the wings. The kit mfr. simply said "glue them in from the bottom. ??? Polyethylene? NOTHING sticks to Polyethylene. two months later I had a solution. Mike, he takes a couple of days. Amazing. Gotta love the guy. "Get back to work"!

When I was a kid I looked fwd to Saturday morning cartoons... now it’s Mike Patey videos... Mike thanks for all you do!

I don't build aircraft but it's amazing to see someone build like I do. Thinking of every detail and going the extra mile to make sure things are perfect. Excellent job Mike. I wish you luck. I honestly can't wait to see scrappy take to the sky!

Your engineering skills and mechanical skills are an inspiration to our aviation group. Thank you for all you do!

I am always amazed that you actually manage to get any 'real' work done with those toys in the shed

You’re the best “Comma” maker in the world, I know where I can get carbon fiber “Commas” now, if I ever need some-ha!

I love the editing. "It was at this moment that he knew..." got me!

Amazed in The Shire...I used to be a weldor/fitter and helped build crabbers, the big boats like on "Deadliest Catch"...Even worked in the same shipyard that launched "Time Bandit"...This tech probably changed the whole ship building dynamic...Good work Mike...Keep 'em coming...

Loved the baby Draco playing on the Scrappy slats at the end. 😍

Question.. Does anyone remember when this started out as a project that was to use mostly scrap parts *roughly* I am going to go back to video 1 and look :) Folks don't get me wrong Mike is doing awesome work and I can't wait to see this bird up in the air.

I was thinking, “ where dose he come up with these ideas”? Must be when he sleeps. But…just like Chuck Noris….you don’t sleep!😎

Ep.8 got me, as many times as you mentioned 'body work'. My dad was an auto body repairman and, eventually a pilot, which amazed more than a few people, as it took him 6 years! Much of that had to do with geography and his snowbird tendencies (bouncing between Fairbanks, Alaska and Spokane, Washington or St. Johns, Arizona), availability & readiness of a plane, and there was always the weather, but he was determined rather than deterred. He decided he would be better off learning to fly his own plane than renting one, and came into possession of a storied Luscombe 8a (it was the Mail plane to Manley Hot Springs for many years). I got to fly with him once, round trip from Fairbanks to Circle Hot Springs, for lunch at the resort there, where my stepmom was kitchen manager. When I was very young, we built model planes together, usually balsa frames/spars with doped fabric, the kind that flew only in a tethered circle (radio control was out of the budget back then). There were always AOPA and EAA magazines around to read, he was a member of both, and I know he would have loved Draco, and Scrappy even more, most likely. I was so sad to hear of the incident, as I had been deeply engaged with the Backcountry Bushpilots gang on YT a few years ago. Now I'm looking for airshows & GA events near us that I can coerce my grandchildren to go with me. And eagerly awaiting the next installment, of course! Thanks for your great content and positivity. I don't covet what you have, but I would sure like to work for you, or someone like you, just sayin... 8)

Hey Mike, astounding as always! Having been born and raised in South Eastern Nevada, and lived in the SLC area, it's always a pleasure to "go home" and watch one of your videos! I've been watching since the beginning of Draco and am nothing short of astounded by your desire to aquire knowledge and the no nonsense, direct approach with which you apply what you've learned. I'm entrenched in my third battle with Lymphoma and watching you work through problems and just plain work hard on a goal to completion has been a true inspiration for me. My goal is to work for time. Time with my children, Wife and friends and time to learn as much as I can before I'm done. It's become a full-time job. Seeing the way you absorb and apply knowledge, again, is a true inspiration when it comes to achieving my goals. I hope time allows me to see Scrappy fly and to see Draco reborn but, if not, I'll be at your wingtip in spirit. Keep approaching everything you do with your same passion. Life is just a flicker and we must accomplish so much in that short time we have the light! Many adventures still await us in the future, so let's, all of us, "GET BACK TO WORK!"

I was wondering how you would make and install the ribs without loosing your tolerances. Absolutely ingenious. That had to be on your mind a while. lol Thanks for you time, Lee

Wow. I wished my Bristell RG 915 iS would be build this way and fully carbon. :-) Thank you Mike for showing the state of the art :-))

Love watching your video’s Mike, I love it when you include your brother. I can see that your heat and soul goes into these planes. Just beautiful and well engineered.

You never cease to amaze me. Your ability to conceptualize, design, engineer and build some of the most complex components is nothing short of pure brilliance! How I would love be a fly on the wall and watch you work!

Absolutely a genius - Will condensation form in the wings

Has to be the best aviation engineering channel I've seen yet, Mike Patey you are awesome I love what you do keep it up and stay safe, peace. PS I can't wait to see it flying.

Just watched a carbon fibre master class on wing slat construction with a curve ball surprise which was sorted with masterful experience. Was left in awe at the level of perfection. Awesome.

Saturdays are always a treat with video updates from Mike. As a former commercial pilot I continued to be awed by the precision and quality of work. I don’t think I ever flew a certified commercial aircraft that could come close to this level of finish, quality and safety.

So many “that’s what she said’s” in this video I lost count. 😜 Amazing work Mike!

We are officially 50 episodes into this engineering adventure called Scrappy!

Love how you edited the video so you are at both ends of the scrap piece when twisting. Almost like you have a twin......😉

It’s always nice seeing Draco’s suspension being put to the test!

GREAT TO SEE YOUR SON WORKING WITH YOU AN RON TELL THEM HELLO FOR ME, GREAT WING, GREAT JOB, GREAT VIDEO, [ BACK TO WORK ]...

So happy to see Mike using top notch breathing protection cutting carbon. One of my childhood friend's Dad owned a really early carbon fibre production facility and the horror stories from guys cutting it all day without protection are awful. I want to be seeing this content for years to come and it looks like Mike is setup to make that happen but not at the expense of his health.

This was more focussed than your last video. Much better! Lots of great tips and thinking in there.

Those are the highest precision Nike swooshes I have ever seen in my life.

How cool would it be if there was a junior college that thought fabrication like Mike does.

Nice work all round! Beautiful carbon work! Nice sneak peak with the completed rib bolted to scrappy for the trainspotters amongst us!

Wow, just Wow... 3 pounds and it supports sitting on it while being supported on just the ends. Flawless, Precision fabrication. Absolutely stunning stuff.

Nothing like a Saturday morning quickie.! Soon, "look ma I got wings" Like Draco doing the whoops at the end.

Love this series! I feel invested in scrappy lol. Literally watched every single video and have gotten a few fellow aircraft maintainers watching now as well.

If I lived closer I'd seriously volunteer to do any grunt work just to be able to be a fly on the wall in your shop. I've been absorbing every bit of info you've been sharing with us while working on some Carbon parts for various things. So Far, motorcycle, sandrail, weed eater, lawn mower and most of my TV remotes. Thanks for all the great stuff Mike !

Your are the first channel and first subject I have watched for more than a few days (by 4 months) where I watch the entire video. I found my new hobby I can never afford. But here in Montana with Glacier national park it would be perfect. You should do a drawing for a subscriber to go for a ride 😂 Love the passion you have, and the time you take teaching your passion to us. Thank you!

I CANT WAIT FOR MY FLYING SCHOOL TO OPEN BACK UP AND GET GOING THESE VIDEOS ARE INSPIRING I BUILD HARLEYS SO I KINDA RELATE MY TRUE PASSION IS AVIATION GROWING UP MY DAD HAD A STEARMAN AND A J3 CUB I LOVED IT NOTHING LIKE WHAT YOU GUYS DO GREAT VIDEO AGAIN I LOVE IT STUDENT PILOT ED

Hey Mike, can you do a short talk about what the micro is, why you chose the one you like, etc? I'm aware it's a lightweight epoxy but that's about it.

I didn't even have time to fully form a disappointed frown about your breezing past the fart slip up without so much as a joke before you circled back around to address it. This is the commitment and attention to detail I'm here for.

Simply amazing...Mike you are definitely a master engineer/builder of works of art. Such precision and attention to detail is incredible. You have such excitement like a child on Christmas morning when you complete something. How you are able to design things that nobody has ever seen before is astounding. Scrappy will be a one of a kind aircraft. Take care, Be safe.

I'm so in love with this whole project! Please make videos longer, show more laying up building jigs etc. Don't have to be super edited it's youtube. I could literally watch you for an hour no problem. Just think how many of us will watch guys machining a part for an hour and your project is WAY more interesting! Can't get enough brother. Your energy is so contagious. Keep it up. Also can't wait for my scrappy pieces I'm bragging to everyone that I'm getting pieces of scrappy! Back to work! God bless !

Mike it's time for you to design an entire airframe. Experimental aviation is calling upon you!

Pressure balancing in it's simplest form👍 Best build going on!💪

Just wanted to throw some mad appreciation to whoever is editing these videos. Honestly has me laughing my nuts off, keep up the great work!

Next Level! I can't believe how straight you got the slats.

i just want to learn everything you have through trial and error what a wealth of knowledge

As always Mike - your skill, energy and attention to detail blows my mind! :)

Sunday coffee with a Patey movie on, that's the way to spend a rainy Sunday morning. :-)

I think I spotted an Ecovap site out in the middle of nowhere. It’s cool that you partnered with Tallgrass. Re: Scrappy. That baby should land incredibly short!

Dang it, Mike Patey... I’ve got cows to move today :D But first, I’ll watch this video and then it’s, “Back to Work!”

Following your progress with Scrappy is so fun and informative. "Scrappy" made a fleeting appearance again - wooooohoo!

Infreakingcredible attention to detail, design, and ingenuity from the machining of the bucks, just everything. Not that I expected anything less than awesome. Mike Patey is God's gift to general aviation. Not to give you a big head or anything...BACK TO WORK!!! GOD Bless!

Man, your killing me. You are truly an artist.

"Hey Mike, this part is better than perfect." Mike..."Move over and I will show you how to get it right."

One step closer ! Oh, I can't wait to see Scrappy fly Mike !!!

Fantastic workmanship and humor that was in this video! Love it!

Those slats are to dieeeeeee for!

19:00 just a thought, but maybe have the other vent holes up high. It wouldn’t take much water at all, especially at upper alpine temperatures, to freeze a little “plug” into the 1/8th inch drain hole, making your slats pop as the air expands prior to the water melting

One of the few channels youtube has “suggested” and is absolutely AWSOME!!!

Mike, you and your entire family (and friends, too) are the real deal. The work and thought you put into your plane is the physical embodiment of your ethos. I'm glad that people like you exist. I don't envy all those expensive tools and materials; I envy your ethos, which costs nothing and is worth more.

Very nice suspension test at the end there:)

Impressive as always! Back to work!!!

I’m a retired composite technician from United. Really enjoying this build