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The
Spin on Flying Toys
By Pennie
Hoover
March 1, 2003
From
drugstore kites to high-tech flying machines marketed to hobbyists,
aviation buffs, and couch potatoes alike, the flying toys market
is growing as broad as the horizon. So how is the market responding
to its new stature?
New Frontiers
Thunder
Tiger Piper J-3 Cub
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Thunder
Tiger Corp, maker of toy planes and leader in the Taiwan
market, reported a 30% sales growth in 2002. “We foresee brighter
sales in 2003 as we continuously release new designs,” said
assistant manager Royce Lin. New models will feature lighter weight
materials, lights, sounds and glow-in-the-dark options. Retailers
can also expect better engine performance and low-noise units, along
with more replicas of real airplanes and helicopters in response
to consumer demand.
AirScooter
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New
Consumers
Retailers
have seen a shift in consumer demographics--away from what was once
the domain of die-hard RC flight buffs. Fewer people are willing
to spend the time building complicated airplanes, helicopters or
rockets. “Also what is happening around the country is flying
clubs are losing their fields because of noise complaints,"
said Dwaine Barnes, President of Airscooter. "People
are having to drive farther and farther to get to the space they
need.”
Manufacturers
are responding by shifting away from gas power to quieter electric
motors. According to Karey Koehn of Hobby Town USA,
“hobby stores are finding customers interested in products
that don’t require hours and hours of building.” Ready-to-fly
models have found a growing niche. “This is expanding our
market significantly,” said Koehn. “Hobby Town USA celebrated
the breaking of the 100-store-mark five years ago.” More than
one third of Hobby Town’s customers express an interest in
flying toys. (Cont.)
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