Drones, a market survey In the modeling market drones are THE growing product group But – this market is not driven from customers which are thinking in modeling structures Model flying is driven from flying a model, it can happen that a crash destroys the airplane. An airplane must always be controlled by the sticks, it doesn`t fly alone. It is challenging to learn how to control an airplane without a crash. The feeling of succes comes from succesfully flying and landing an airplane or helicopter A drone is completely different. As everything is stabilised by software and sensores, flying is very simple, this is not challenging. So motivation to do it must come from something different as modeling.... For the mass market it is the camera The drone itself is only needed to bring the camera to a certain place were a camera man himself never can bring it. So the motivation to do drones is completely different as for modeling. That means that drones must be handled in thinking, marketing and distribution completely different as modeling. The drone market is diveded into two sectors: Toy oriented, mass market, up to € Professional use, low figures, heavy weight, high class technology

Drones, a market survey The mass market Very high volumes were reached in price classes below € It is supplied and must be supplied with all necessary stuff like TX, batteries, charger, camera, accessories. The rules to use drones in mass market as modeling/sports: Max. 150m high, always in direct sight of the one who controls it by TX, no FPV without additional pilot, no GPS flight (autonomous flight). Camera use is not allowed to show other people or house, aso. That means: Simple TX has enough range, better TX like Futaba not needed. In addition the drone suppliers are using low channel use with something like channel splitting for switching functions, so a Futaba TX can`t be used. The rules to use drones in professional market: Needs allowancy from authorities, but also maximum 150m high, always in direct sight of the one who controls it by TX, no FPV without additional pilot, no GPS flight (autonomous flight). Camera use is not allowed to show other people or house aso. That means: Low figures, Futaba TX can be used. But without a own drone it is difficult to fulfill all functions needed. Higher class drones are succesful as a complete offer, including TX (see yuneec) To go into drone market can be a business risk, as the authorities are always changing rules and are shrinking down the opportunities which are allowed. To many things already have happened with mass market drones.

Drones, a market survey Drones don`t need additional TX from others than the drone producer. The FTR idea to support the customer with already existing Futaba TX failed completely. It was good for Nine Eagles or Walkera, but not for Futaba. Drones don`t need additional RX, as all drones are already equiped with internal RX, including all stabi systems they use. Mass market Drone profi market This part of the drone market will not increase Futaba sales. Only if Futaba had an own drone....., but then it must be fast and the drone be cheap. The mass market for drones already is working under price pressure. The one with the cheapest prices and with fastest development for new products will win this war. This part of the market is more difficult to judge, as ist starts already in the higher class of mass market drones like DJI aso. These suppliers already supply a Tx with the drone. Drones don`t need range, flying is limited to max. 500m by law, but sight is about max. 200m. There is no demand for a higher class TX with higher range (besides illegal use). Bigger and more expensive drones are needing a radio with TX and RX, the RX must have a serial signal output, like S-Bus, X-Bus, MPX-Bus aso The most expensivst electronic part inside the drone is the stabi system like NAZA aso. The stabi system market already is the same - the one with the cheapest prices and with fastest development for new products will win this war. The radio figures are low, as all radio suppliers are alrady supplying to this market. Only a very special radio for drones could be sold in higher volumes, for example with integrated big display. But this means it must have a downstream video link. And it should be alrady existing and again, the one with fast development will win this war.