Aerial Concepts
Aerial Concepts is a South African specialty retailer and wholesale distributor of radio-controlled hobby products — aircraft, helicopters, drones, boats, electronics, and accessories — sourced from 70+ international brands, serving hobbyists and other African hobby shops via a Sandton storefront and worldwide e-commerce.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Aerial Concepts does
Aerial Concepts is a privately held South African specialty retailer and wholesale distributor of radio-controlled hobby products, based at a single physical store in Kelvin, Sandton, with a complementary e-commerce platform offering worldwide shipping and multi-currency checkout. The catalog spans roughly 25 product categories covering aircraft and glider kits and spares, jet kits and EDF systems, RC helicopters, multirotors and drones (including DJI), RC cars and boats, radio control systems, servos, electric motors and ESCs, batteries and chargers, gas/nitro engines, propellers, building supplies, tools, and field equipment — sourced from more than 70 international supplier brands. The company also runs an integrated RC training school, a second-hand/used marketplace, and an on-site restaurant as customer-experience differentiators.
The business model is straightforward hardware resale at unit prices ranging from approximately R22 for small adapters to R14,480 for premium systems, with free domestic shipping above R500. Revenue is generated through two channels: direct-to-consumer retail (walk-in store and e-commerce) and wholesale supply to other hobby shops across Africa. Pricing is fixed per unit, transactions are processed in ZAR alongside USD/GBP/EUR display, and no subscription, financing, or recurring-revenue mechanics are present in the data.
The company serves two main segments: RC model aircraft hobbyists (primary) — enthusiasts building and flying aircraft, jets, gliders, helicopters, drones, and related craft — and wholesale/retail hobby shops (secondary) seeking diversified inventory and reliable African supply. After 16 years of operation the company claims the largest model aircraft shop position in South Africa and the broadest product selection in Africa, though it discloses no financial metrics and operates with no parent company, institutional investor, or external funding identified in the source data.
Aerial Concepts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aerial Concepts
- Legal name
- Aerial Concepts
- Website
- https://aerialconcepts.co.za
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Aerial Concepts is a South African specialty retailer and wholesale distributor of radio-controlled hobby products — aircraft, helicopters, drones, boats, electronics, and accessories — sourced from 70+ international brands, serving hobbyists and other African hobby shops via a Sandton storefront and worldwide e-commerce.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aerial Concepts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hobby Model Aircraft Retail
- NAICS
- Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)
- SIC
- Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Drone Parts, Batteries & Accessories Retail (CRACAHAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Drones & UAV Retail (Consumer & Prosumer) (CRACAHAC)
Keywords
Where Aerial Concepts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Johannesburg
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aerial Concepts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Retail Sales: Direct retail sales of RC hobby products including aircraft kits, spare parts, electronics, motors, batteries, and accessories through physical store and e-commerce platform
- Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale distribution of hobby models to other retailers and hobby shops across Africa
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Product Unit Pricing |
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Aerial Concepts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aerial Concepts is a South African hobby retailer and wholesale distributor of remote-controlled (RC) model aircraft, jets, helicopters, drones, boats, and cars, plus the supporting electronics, batteries, motors, servos, ESCs, engines, propellers, building supplies, tools, and field equipment required by the hobby. The business operates a physical retail store with a restaurant in Kelvin, Sandton, alongside an e-commerce platform serving customers across Africa and worldwide shipping, supplied by over 70 international hobby brands.
Product overview
Aerial Concepts is a South African hobby, retail, and wholesale business specializing in model aircraft, jets, boats, cars, and multicopters. The company operates the largest model aircraft shop in Africa with 16 years of experience, offering a comprehensive product portfolio organized into core categories: aircraft and glider kits and spares; jet kits, turbines, and EDF units; helicopters (primarily Align Trex series); multicopters and drones (including DJI products); cars and boats; radio control systems and equipment; servos and accessories; electric motors and ESCs; batteries and charging equipment; gas/nitro motors; propellers; building supplies; tools; and field equipment. The business also stocks fuel, lubricants, connectors, power distribution systems, and fun/cool hobby items. Products come from over 70 international suppliers including DJI, Align, Freewing, DualSky, T-Motor, OS Motors, and many others. The company provides world-wide shipping, in-store shopping experience with a restaurant in Kelvin, Sandton, and operates a training school for various RC disciplines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Aircraft & Glider Kits Complete ready-to-assemble model aircraft kits covering balsa, foam, scale, aerobatic, glider, warbird, trainer, and vintage designs from multiple international hobby brands, sold to RC hobbyists building and flying model aircraft.
- Aircraft & Glider Spares Replacement parts for aircraft and gliders including airframe components (fuselage, wings, tail sets), canopies, cowls, motor mounts, and wingtubes/spars, sold to RC hobbyists repairing or upgrading existing models.
- Jet Kits, Turbines & EDF Jet model kits, turbine motors, and Electric Ducted Fan (EDF) units including carbon fibre, metal, and non-metal ducted fans, turbine motor accessories and spares, tailpipes, and heat protection materials from brands such as JP Fans & Retracts, HSDJets, Freewing, Feibao Jets, and BVM.
- RC Helicopters RC helicopter kits, parts, blades, servos, canopies, fuselages, flybarless systems, gyros, and electronics spanning Align Trex series (150-800) and other brands such as Century, Curtis Youngblood, E-flite, Hirobo, Ikarus, KDE, KDS, Mikado, and Nine Eagles.
- Multicopters & Drones Multicopter and drone kits, parts, ESCs, electronics, gimbals, motors, props, and spares for DJI platforms and other brands such as Align, Scorpion, and brushed motor products, targeting drone hobbyists and multirotor pilots.
- RC Cars & Boats RC cars, boats, bait boats for fishing, boat kits and scale models, boat propellers (2-4 blade, metal), boat spares, speed/brushless boats, car spares, die-cast models, submarines, yachts, and starting equipment.
- Radio Control Systems & Equipment Radio control systems and accessories including buddy box/trainer systems, central boxes, chargers, gyros, programmers, testors, radio sets, receivers, modules, switches, telemetry and sensors, trays, straps, stands, Tx cases, and sticks.
- Servos & Accessories Servos organized by type (analog micro mini, analog standard, digital D series, digital brushless, digital premium, giant, robotic, specialized, waterproof), by torque rating, plus casings, extension/Y-leads, gearsets, hardware sets, horns/arms, and mounting hardware.
- Electric Motors Electric motors for RC applications including brushed motors, brushless aeroplane, boat, car, glider, and heli motors, brushless inrunners, plus motor parts (heat sinks, fans, mounts, shafts, prop adapters) and electronics/switches from DualSky, T-Motor, Dancing Wings, MPX Power Set, and Ex-Flight Torque.
- Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) Electronic speed controllers for brushless motors including aeroplane ESCs (0-300A), boat and car ESCs, motor parts, electronics/switches, and programmers from DualSky, T-Motor, Dancing Wings, and GT Power.
- Batteries Battery products including LiPo (1-12 cell), Li-ion, LiFe (2-4 cell), Airsoft LiPo, battery straps and velcro, testers, NiMh & Pb, manufacturer Tx & Rx batteries, and multiple charge boards.
- Gas & Nitro Engines Gas/petrol and nitro engines including 2-stroke and 4-stroke gas engines, nitro 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines for cars and helicopters, engine parts (carburetors, exhausts, gaskets, glow plugs, spark plugs, ignitions), and smoke systems from OS Motors, Saito, DA Engines, CRRC, and NGH.
- Propellers Propellers for aircraft including carbon fibre, nylon, and wooden props in configurations for electric, folding, large scale, multi-rotor, F3A pattern, 3D, pylon/racing, slow flyer, sport/gas, and vintage, plus propeller covers, clocks, drill jigs, and reamers from APC, Master Airscrew, Mejzlik, and Xoar.
- Model Building Supplies Materials and supplies for model building including balsa/ply/spruce wood, carbon and kevlar materials (cloth, matt, plates, rods, strips, tubes), covering films (Oracover, Oralight, Orastick, Oratex, Sig Koverall), foam products (Depron, EPP), fibreglass, glues and activators, metal pieces, paints and brushes, and tape/velcro.
- Tools & Bearings Tools and bearings for model building and maintenance including aircraft tools (CG & incidence meters, prop balancers), ball wrenches/hexdrivers, bearings, building tools (Dremels, files, sanding tools, knives, saws), drilling equipment, field tools, heli-specific tools, hinging tools, pullers, soldering equipment, spray equipment, taps and dies, toolboxes, and wood carving tools.
- Field Equipment Equipment for flying field operations including field stands, flight boxes, glow starters, heli equipment, plug spanners, pumps and accessories, starters and accessories, winches, and windsocks.
- Aircraft & Jet Accessories General aircraft and jet accessories including bolts and nuts (imperial/metric), canopies, clevis/ball links, connectors, control line items, decals, electronics (controllers, cameras, goggles, lights, Tx & Rx), engine mounts, floats, fuel tanks and accessories, hinges, horns, landing gear, lights and sound systems, pilots and cockpits, pneumatics, pushrods, retracts and oleos/struts, spinners, sun covers, wheel pants/spats, and wheels.
- Fuel, Oil, Smoke & Grease Fuel, lubricants, and maintenance products including aircraft and engine cleaners, model fuel (Cool Power Green/L.V., Jet Fuel, Omega Pink, Sidewinder Car), grease, nitro and methanol, after-run oil, gas/petrol oil, methanol oil, and turbine oil.
- Chargers & Accessories Battery chargers and related accessories including balance boards, balance leads, chargers, dischargers, LiPo safety bags, and power supplies from GT Power.
- Connectors & Leads Electrical connectors and wiring including adapter plugs and leads (Deans, EC2/3/5, JST, Tamiya, MPX, XT30/60/90), charge leads, connectors and mounts, and wire and heatshrink.
- Powerboxes & BECs Power distribution boxes and Battery Elimination Circuits (BECs) including regulated and non-regulated switches and BECs, plus powerbox accessories from Powerbox and Castle ESC.
- Second-Hand & Used RC Products Pre-owned and used RC products including accessories, aircraft, boats, chargers, ESCs, helicopters, motors, radios, and receivers offered at second-hand pricing.
- Electronic Test Equipment Electronic testing and measurement equipment used for RC electronics testing and diagnostics.
- Project & Architecture Materials Plastic and metal materials for hobby and architectural projects including metal sheets, plastic profiles (hollow and solid in various shapes), plastic sheets, and school project materials.
- Flying Training School Hands-on instruction for RC disciplines at the on-site school and local flying club, provided alongside retail operations to support beginner and intermediate hobbyists.
Companies that use Aerial Concepts
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Aerial Concepts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Aerial Concepts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Dancing WingscoreMajor supplier brand of aircraft kits and components sold through Aerial Concepts. Products include Bleriot XL 1.8m ARF kits, FI 156 1.6m balsa kits, J3 Cub kits, Tiger Moth kits, P-51 combos, and Sakura series models with motors, ESC, and servos.
- DualSkycorePrimary supplier of electric motors, ESCs, and accessories including XM3045EG-8 1250KV glider motors, XM3850EG-8 920KV motors, GA series prop mounts, and Summit series ESCs (60A-220A).
- DJIcoreSupplier of DJI drone components including ESC, electronics, gimbals, complete kits, motors, props, and spare parts for multirotor applications.
- AligncoreMajor helicopter supplier offering full range of Align Trex kits (150-800 series), Align Parts, Align Servos, and flybarless systems for RC helicopters.
- FreewingcoreSupplier of foam aircraft, EDF jets, and thrust vector upgrade systems including Ares 3D series (6S and 8S PNP), F-14 Tomcat 64mm EDF, and MiG-29 twin 80mm thrust vector upgrades.
- JP Fans & RetractscorePremium supplier of metal EDF units and retracts including 80mm, 90mm, 105mm, and 120mm EDF systems with high-grade aluminum construction and precision balance.
- OS MotorsminorSupplier of glow plugs and nitro engine components including OS RP7 Turbo Cold Plug suitable for .21 and .12 nitro engines with 16-25% nitromethane fuels.
- T-MotorcoreSupplier of brushless motors for aircraft, gliders, and multicopters distributed across various size categories.
- Extreme FlightcoreSupplier of high-performance aerobatic aircraft including Extreme Flight Slick 580/67 in various color schemes.
- HSDJetscoreSupplier of EDF systems including 90mm, 105mm, and 120mm S-EDF units with integrated motors, featuring high efficiency and dynamic balance.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Aerial Concepts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Motion RC: Online retailer specializing in RC warbirds, jets, scale aircraft and EDF models, plus electronics and accessories from brands like Freewing and FMS. Directly comparable in product mix around jets, warbirds, and EDF — categories where Aerial Concepts also has depth.
- HobbyKing: Long-standing online RC hobby retailer selling aircraft kits, electronics, batteries, motors, ESCs and accessories globally — the closest direct analogue to Aerial Concepts' e-commerce-plus-warehouse retail model, though historically China-centric rather than African-anchored.
- Banggood: Global China-based e-commerce platform with a deep RC hobby category (aircraft kits, drones, batteries, motors, ESCs, parts) and worldwide shipping. Comparable as an online hobby retailer competing for the same international RC enthusiast customer with broad SKU coverage.
- Tower Hobbies: US-based specialty RC retailer carrying aircraft, helicopters, cars, boats, electronics, batteries and tools from brands like Spektrum and Futaba. Comparable as a multi-category hobby superstore with both retail and online channels serving enthusiast hobbyists.
- RC Planet / HobbyPartz: Online RC hobby superstore carrying helicopters (Align, Blade), multirotors, aircraft, batteries, chargers, motors and ESCs. Closely comparable in catalog breadth across power systems, helicopters, and multirotors that Aerial Concepts emphasizes.
Broad incumbents
- Horizon Hobby: One of the largest US RC hobby distributors and brand owners (Spektrum, E-flite, Blade, Hangar 9). Comparable as a broad incumbent in RC distribution and retail across aircraft, helicopters and surface vehicles, but at significantly larger scale and with proprietary brands.
- B&H Photo Video: Large US electronics retailer carrying drones (DJI), cameras, RC and hobby electronics with worldwide shipping. Comparable as a broad-incumbent electronics retailer overlapping Aerial Concepts' DJI/multicopter and electronics accessory categories.
Emerging players
- Helipal: Hong Kong-based online retailer specializing in Align and other RC helicopters, parts and electronics. Comparable as a specialist e-tailer overlapping with Aerial Concepts' Align Trex helicopter category and parts/accessories business.
- GetFPV: US online retailer focused on FPV drones, multirotor parts, batteries, electronics and accessories. Comparable as an emerging specialty e-tailer in the multicopter/drone and electronics sub-categories that Aerial Concepts also serves.
Regional players
- Esprit Model: UK-based RC hobby retailer stocking a wide range of aircraft, helicopters, gliders, boats, electronics and field equipment. Comparable in catalog breadth and hobbyist focus but serves primarily the UK/European market rather than Africa.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Aerial Concepts social profiles
Digital presenceAerial Concepts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aerial Concepts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Aerial Concepts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aerial Concepts M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aerial Concepts
What does Aerial Concepts do?
Aerial Concepts is a South African hobby retailer and wholesale distributor of remote-controlled (RC) model aircraft, jets, helicopters, drones, boats, and cars, plus the supporting electronics, batteries, motors, servos, ESCs, engines, propellers, building supplies, tools, and field equipment required by the hobby. The business operates a physical retail store with a restaurant in Kelvin, Sandton, alongside an e-commerce platform serving customers across Africa and worldwide shipping, supplied by over 70 international hobby brands.
Is Aerial Concepts a public or private company?
Aerial Concepts is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Aerial Concepts founded?
Aerial Concepts was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Aerial Concepts based?
Aerial Concepts is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Aerial Concepts make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Retail Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale Distribution.
Who are Aerial Concepts's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Motion RC, HobbyKing, Banggood, Tower Hobbies and RC Planet / HobbyPartz. Broad incumbents are Horizon Hobby and B&H Photo Video. Emerging players are Helipal and GetFPV. Esprit Model is listed as a regional player.
Does Aerial Concepts have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aerial Concepts.
What industry is Aerial Concepts in?
Aerial Concepts's product category is Hobby Model Aircraft Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAHAL, Drone Parts, Batteries & Accessories Retail, with a secondary code of CRACAHAC, Drones & UAV Retail (Consumer & Prosumer). Its NAICS code is 45912 and its SIC code is 5945.