Swap N Fly drone project
Services
Research, 2D Wireframe, 3D Concept
Services
Research, 2D Wireframe, 3D Concept
Services
Research, 2D Wireframe, 3D Concept
Tools
Adobe Illustrator, Fusion 360
Tools
Adobe Illustrator, Fusion 360
Tools
Adobe Illustrator, Fusion 360
Work in progress.
Drone Case Study: Swap N Fly 2.5” Sub-250 Drone Frame, 5" Freestyle Frame and 7" Long Range Frame
Overview:
FPV drone pilots face escalating costs when building and maintaining a fleet. One of the biggest expenses is the DJI O4/O3 camera and VTX combo, costing roughly $229 per drone. For pilots who require multiple drones—especially backups during high-stakes video shoots—these costs add up quickly. This case study outlines a cost analysis for a fleet of three Category 1 sub-250g 2.5” drones and demonstrates how a custom-designed frame can drastically reduce overall costs.
The Problem:
High Component Costs: The DJI O4/O3 camera and VTX combo is the most expensive component at approximately $229 per drone.
Fleet Requirements: FPV pilots must maintain a diverse fleet, including backups and possibly a third drone, to mitigate risks during video shoots.
Budget Constraints: Building multiple drones with expensive parts results in a steep cumulative cost, making affordability a key concern.
Work in progress.
Drone Case Study: Swap N Fly 2.5” Sub-250 Drone Frame, 5" Freestyle Frame and 7" Long Range Frame
Overview:
FPV drone pilots face escalating costs when building and maintaining a fleet. One of the biggest expenses is the DJI O4/O3 camera and VTX combo, costing roughly $229 per drone. For pilots who require multiple drones—especially backups during high-stakes video shoots—these costs add up quickly. This case study outlines a cost analysis for a fleet of three Category 1 sub-250g 2.5” drones and demonstrates how a custom-designed frame can drastically reduce overall costs.
The Problem:
High Component Costs: The DJI O4/O3 camera and VTX combo is the most expensive component at approximately $229 per drone.
Fleet Requirements: FPV pilots must maintain a diverse fleet, including backups and possibly a third drone, to mitigate risks during video shoots.
Budget Constraints: Building multiple drones with expensive parts results in a steep cumulative cost, making affordability a key concern.
Work in progress.
Drone Case Study: Swap N Fly 2.5” Sub-250 Drone Frame, 5" Freestyle Frame and 7" Long Range Frame
Overview:
FPV drone pilots face escalating costs when building and maintaining a fleet. One of the biggest expenses is the DJI O4/O3 camera and VTX combo, costing roughly $229 per drone. For pilots who require multiple drones—especially backups during high-stakes video shoots—these costs add up quickly. This case study outlines a cost analysis for a fleet of three Category 1 sub-250g 2.5” drones and demonstrates how a custom-designed frame can drastically reduce overall costs.
The Problem:
High Component Costs: The DJI O4/O3 camera and VTX combo is the most expensive component at approximately $229 per drone.
Fleet Requirements: FPV pilots must maintain a diverse fleet, including backups and possibly a third drone, to mitigate risks during video shoots.
Budget Constraints: Building multiple drones with expensive parts results in a steep cumulative cost, making affordability a key concern.
Cost Analysis for a 2.5” Sub-250g Drone
Component & Price List
Component Estimated Cost (USD)
Frame $30 - $50
4 Motors $60 - $100 (approximately $15-$25 each)
4 Propellers $5 - $10 (2-3 sets)
AIO Flight Controller $80 - $130
Receiver (ELRS/Crossfire) $20 - $40
GPS / Remote ID $39.99 (NewBeeDrone BeeID M10Q)
DJI O4 Camera & VTX $229 - $249
* Total Estimated Cost per Drone: Approximately $463.99 - $618.99 (This estimate excludes batteries, antennas, wiring, or tools.)
Cost for Three Drones: * Using the Low-End Price: $463.99 x 3 = $1,391.97
The Solution:
A Reusable DJI ComponentDesign Approach
Objective:Reduce the overall fleet cost by designing a drone frame that allows builders to reuse the DJI O4 camera/VTX, the most expensive component.
Impact on Cost: Instead of having one DJI component per drone at $229 each, the design requires just one DJI unit for the entire fleet.
Revised Cost Breakdown (Excluding DJI Component)Component (Without DJI O4) Estimated Cost (USD)
Frame $30
$504 Motors $60
$1004 Propellers $5- $10
AIO Flight Controller $80 - $130
Receiver (ELRS/Crossfire) $20 - $40
GPS / Remote ID $39.99
Total (Low-End Estimate) ~$235 per drone
Cost for Three Drones (Without DJI): $235 x 3 = $705
Adding a Single DJI O4 Unit: $705 + $229 = $934
Savings Summary:
Traditional Three-Drone Cost (with DJI on each): ~$1,391.97
New Approach Cost (1 DJI shared): ~$934
Total Savings: Approximately $457.97
Conclusion:
By designing the Swap and Fly 2.5” sub-250 drone frame—the smallest and lightest frame in the Swap N Fly family—we address the critical cost issue for FPV pilots. This innovative design allows builders to reuse the expensive DJI O4 component across a fleet of drones, significantly reducing overall expenditure while still maintaining a reliable, multi-drone setup for video shoots.
Cost Analysis for a 2.5” Sub-250g Drone
Component & Price List
Component Estimated Cost (USD)
Frame $30 - $50
4 Motors $60 - $100 (approximately $15-$25 each)
4 Propellers $5 - $10 (2-3 sets)
AIO Flight Controller $80 - $130
Receiver (ELRS/Crossfire) $20 - $40
GPS / Remote ID $39.99 (NewBeeDrone BeeID M10Q)
DJI O4 Camera & VTX $229 - $249
* Total Estimated Cost per Drone: Approximately $463.99 - $618.99 (This estimate excludes batteries, antennas, wiring, or tools.)
Cost for Three Drones: * Using the Low-End Price: $463.99 x 3 = $1,391.97
The Solution:
A Reusable DJI ComponentDesign Approach
Objective:Reduce the overall fleet cost by designing a drone frame that allows builders to reuse the DJI O4 camera/VTX, the most expensive component.
Impact on Cost: Instead of having one DJI component per drone at $229 each, the design requires just one DJI unit for the entire fleet.
Revised Cost Breakdown (Excluding DJI Component)Component (Without DJI O4) Estimated Cost (USD)
Frame $30
$504 Motors $60
$1004 Propellers $5- $10
AIO Flight Controller $80 - $130
Receiver (ELRS/Crossfire) $20 - $40
GPS / Remote ID $39.99
Total (Low-End Estimate) ~$235 per drone
Cost for Three Drones (Without DJI): $235 x 3 = $705
Adding a Single DJI O4 Unit: $705 + $229 = $934
Savings Summary:
Traditional Three-Drone Cost (with DJI on each): ~$1,391.97
New Approach Cost (1 DJI shared): ~$934
Total Savings: Approximately $457.97
Conclusion:
By designing the Swap and Fly 2.5” sub-250 drone frame—the smallest and lightest frame in the Swap N Fly family—we address the critical cost issue for FPV pilots. This innovative design allows builders to reuse the expensive DJI O4 component across a fleet of drones, significantly reducing overall expenditure while still maintaining a reliable, multi-drone setup for video shoots.
Cost Analysis for a 2.5” Sub-250g Drone
Component & Price List
Component Estimated Cost (USD)
Frame $30 - $50
4 Motors $60 - $100 (approximately $15-$25 each)
4 Propellers $5 - $10 (2-3 sets)
AIO Flight Controller $80 - $130
Receiver (ELRS/Crossfire) $20 - $40
GPS / Remote ID $39.99 (NewBeeDrone BeeID M10Q)
DJI O4 Camera & VTX $229 - $249
* Total Estimated Cost per Drone: Approximately $463.99 - $618.99 (This estimate excludes batteries, antennas, wiring, or tools.)
Cost for Three Drones: * Using the Low-End Price: $463.99 x 3 = $1,391.97
The Solution:
A Reusable DJI ComponentDesign Approach
Objective:Reduce the overall fleet cost by designing a drone frame that allows builders to reuse the DJI O4 camera/VTX, the most expensive component.
Impact on Cost: Instead of having one DJI component per drone at $229 each, the design requires just one DJI unit for the entire fleet.
Revised Cost Breakdown (Excluding DJI Component)Component (Without DJI O4) Estimated Cost (USD)
Frame $30
$504 Motors $60
$1004 Propellers $5- $10
AIO Flight Controller $80 - $130
Receiver (ELRS/Crossfire) $20 - $40
GPS / Remote ID $39.99
Total (Low-End Estimate) ~$235 per drone
Cost for Three Drones (Without DJI): $235 x 3 = $705
Adding a Single DJI O4 Unit: $705 + $229 = $934
Savings Summary:
Traditional Three-Drone Cost (with DJI on each): ~$1,391.97
New Approach Cost (1 DJI shared): ~$934
Total Savings: Approximately $457.97
Conclusion:
By designing the Swap and Fly 2.5” sub-250 drone frame—the smallest and lightest frame in the Swap N Fly family—we address the critical cost issue for FPV pilots. This innovative design allows builders to reuse the expensive DJI O4 component across a fleet of drones, significantly reducing overall expenditure while still maintaining a reliable, multi-drone setup for video shoots.
Reach out anytime
Let’s Stay Connected
Got questions or want to see more of my projects? Feel free to reach out—I'm open to walk you threw my working files and share my process.
Reach out anytime
Let’s Stay Connected
Got questions or want to see more of my projects? Feel free to reach out—I'm open to walk you threw my working files and share my process.
Reach out anytime
Let’s Stay Connected
Got questions or want to see more of my projects? Feel free to reach out—I'm open to walk you threw my working files and share my process.