FAQs – What You’re Dying to Know
What is “Peak Drone,” and should I be worried?
Nah mate, it’s not the end of drones—it’s the end of the hype. Now it’s about real value, not flashy toys.
Have drones stopped being profitable in Australia?
Not even close. They’re more profitable—if you use them right. The cowboys are gone; the pros remain.
Can I still make a living as a drone pilot?
Only if you’ve got skills beyond flying. Clients want results, not GoPro reels.
Is CASA making it harder or easier these days?
Stricter? Yes. Better? Also yes. It’s cleaning out the amateurs and boosting safety.
Why does Two70 reckon drones are more valuable than ever?
Because we’ve seen the shift—away from hobbyists, toward smart, data-driven commercial applications. That’s where we fly.
Hype vs Reality: What Is “Peak Drone”?
Back in the early 2010s, you couldn’t swing a USB stick without hitting someone who claimed to run a drone startup. All it took was a DJI Phantom, a Canva logo, and a Facebook page, and bam! — you were in the “aerial solutions” business.
That golden-age energy was contagious, but like all tech booms, the buzz has begun to fade. The question floating in the Aussie skies now is:
Have we reached Peak Drone?
The short answer? Yes.
The long answer? Yes—and that’s a good thing.
We’re shifting from the “woo-hoo!” phase to the “let’s get serious” phase. It’s no longer about the drone itself, but the value it delivers.
The Rise and Stall of the Aussie Drone Market
The Golden Years of Easy Entry
From about 2013 to 2018, drones were Australia’s tech darling. CASA loosened up the red tape with the 2016 sub-2kg deregulation, making it easy for almost anyone to become a drone operator. It felt like a sausage sizzle at Bunnings—come one, come all.
Real estate videos, wedding flyovers, backyard inspections—you name it, drones were flying everywhere.
The Oversaturation Wipeout
But like a backyard pool in winter, things got cold real quick. The market was saturated, and many operators found themselves struggling to stay afloat.
Why? Because most didn’t have a business model—just a flying camera.
Running a drone business isn’t about hardware. It’s about:
- Reliable service
- Industry knowledge
- Scalable data operations
- Compliance management
- Delivering ROI, not “wow” shots
CASA, Red Tape and the Dronescape Shake-Up
CASA’s New Era
CASA isn’t just a regulator—they’re the referees in an ever-evolving game. While early regulation was flexible, the recent years have brought stricter oversight.
Licence Expiry & Operator Decline
Thousands of drone operators were licenced at peak. Now? A large chunk are letting those licences expire. CASA’s ReOC list has been shrinking year by year. That’s not failure—it’s evolution.
The market is trimming the fat.
Fewer Cowboys, More Experts
This shake-up means the industry is becoming safer, more reliable, and data-driven. And that’s exactly what major clients want—especially in sectors like:
- Mining
- Utilities
- Local government
- Construction
- Agriculture
Market Consolidation – Who’s Left Standing?
Real Estate Drone Work? Mostly Dead
Basic aerial shots of properties? That market’s been gobbled up by automated platforms and smartphones. The margins are gone.
Who’s Thriving?
Firms that adapted to complex workflows and professional data delivery. Ones who figured out how to:
- Provide digital twins
- Integrate with GIS platforms
- Automate inspections
- Deliver full photogrammetry reports
- Work seamlessly with architects, engineers, and surveyors
At Two70, we’re smack bang in this arena. We’re the ones you call when you need a solution, not just an image.
Drone Tech in the Gartner Hype Cycle
Let’s take a look at where drone tech sits on the Gartner Hype Cycle, which tracks how technologies evolve from hype to real-world usefulness.
The Five Stages
- Innovation Trigger – 2010s, drones burst onto the scene
- Peak of Inflated Expectations – Everyone’s cousin launched a drone startup
- Trough of Disillusionment – “Where’s the money?”
- Slope of Enlightenment – Operators like Two70 step in
- Plateau of Productivity – Happening now in 2025
Drones Today – Business, Not Buzz
We’ve entered the Plateau of Productivity, where serious players use drones to save money, speed up projects, and cut down risks.
We’re past the honeymoon and into the hardworking marriage.
Why You Should Choose Two70
Here’s the thing — Two70 isn’t just another drone services provider. We’re the Aussie-grown solution for businesses who are done mucking around.
We understand that you don’t need just a pilot — you need a partner.
What Makes Us Different?
Industry Fluency
From land development to civil engineering, we speak your lingo. We know how to integrate drone workflows into your operations without fuss.
Data That Works
We don’t deliver pretty pictures. We deliver useful data that integrates with your tools, your maps, and your planning.
Full Compliance Confidence
We’re CASA-compliant and airspace-savvy. We handle permits, paperwork, and pre-flight logistics so you don’t have to.
Strategic Operators
Our pilots know how to fly. But more importantly, they know why. They understand asset conditions, linework, terrain, and metrics.
Custom Packages
No two jobs are alike. We tailor every project to suit your needs — be it high-resolution 3D mapping or thermal inspections for your rooftop solar rollout.
Call to Action
Tired of drone cowboys and aerial fluff?
It’s time to take your projects to new heights — with seasoned experts who actually get what you need.
📍 Whether you’re surveying a massive property, inspecting infrastructure, or need repeatable, scalable drone data — Two70’s got your back.
👉 Contact us today and let’s have a yarn about what real drone services can do for your business.
Let’s rise above the noise — together.
