How new US rules may sink HoverAir’s waterproof drone Aqua

The HoverAir Aqua is designed to survive something consumer drones usually fear most: water. Marketed as the world’s first waterproof selfie drone, Aqua promised carefree flying over lakes, pools, and oceans — no emergency landings, no panic over splashes. That pitch helped the drone raise more than $2 million on Indiegogo from over 1,800 backers. However, the Aqua now faces a very different challenge.

The first batch of Aqua units was originally expected to begin shipping in December 2025, but HoverAir pushed that timeline to February 2026. For a crowdfunded hardware product, delays aren’t exactly shocking. What’s more worrying is that even today, the drone does not appear in the Federal Communications Commission’s database of approved devices, and since the agency’s foreign drone rules have since changed, securing that approval can be next to impossible. Which means the Aqua’s US launch is now very unlikely, even without an official denial from HoverAir.

Had Aqua followed its original December shipping timeline, the drone would likely have needed FCC clearance earlier — before the regulatory landscape shifted — highlighting how timing has played a critical role in its current predicament.

Why the FCC rules suddenly matter

Late last month, the FCC expanded its “Covered List,” a registry of companies and products that are no longer eligible for FCC equipment authorization. Without that authorization, drones cannot legally be imported or sold in the United States.

Many expected the move to focus squarely on DJI, whose inclusion had been widely anticipated. Instead, the FCC’s December 2025 decision went much further, blocking new approvals for foreign-made drones on a going-forward basis. That broader scope has quietly reshaped the consumer drone market, particularly for new products that had not yet completed certification.

This week, the FCC updated its list again to approve certain imports from a bunch of Pentagon-approved companies, including Parrot, Teledyne FLIR, Neros Technologies, Wingtra, Auterion, ModalAI, Zepher Flight Labs, and AeroVironment. However, there was no relief for consumer drone makers such as DJI, Autel Robotics, or HoverAir.

Where the HoverAir drone lineup stands today

HoverAir’s existing lineup of selfie drones — the X1, X1 Pro, and X1 ProMax — remains unaffected. Those models received FCC approval before the rules changed and can continue to be sold in the US.

Aqua is different. It does not currently appear in the FCC’s database of approved devices. The most recent FCC clearance for HoverAir’s parent company, Zero Zero Robotics, dates back to March of last year for the V-Copter Falcon Mini drone.

That absence does not necessarily mean Aqua was rejected. But with the regulatory landscape shifting before any approval was finalized, the window for bringing a new foreign-made drone to the US market has narrowed considerably.

HoverAir’s response and what this means for backers

For Aqua’s early supporters, the situation is uncomfortable. Hundreds of people from the US have backed the project, many drawn by the idea of documenting water-based adventures without risking an expensive crash. They now face growing uncertainty about whether their drones will ever ship.

So far, HoverAir has not said whether US-based Aqua backers will receive refunds if the drone cannot be sold domestically. A follow-up inquiry on that point did not receive an immediate response.

When PCMag asked the Aqua’s status following the FCC’s expanded rules, a HoverAir representative said:

We’re actively working with regulatory experts and closely monitoring FCC and aviation regulations as they evolve. Our priority is ensuring our products meet all applicable requirements in the markets where we operate and to find the best options for our community. Our existing products, X1 Pro and Promax are not impacted. Those are approved to continue to sell as is.

The statement does not directly address whether Aqua has received (or will receive) FCC approval, but it does emphasize that HoverAir’s currently certified products remain unaffected.

On its Indiegogo campaign page, HoverAir acknowledges the regulatory uncertainty more directly, noting that it has paused accepting new US-bound orders:

Due to a sudden regulatory change in the United States, we have temporarily paused accepting new orders for shipment to US addresses. We are actively exploring all compliance pathways and engaging in relevant communications.

The bottom line is, while HoverAir has not said the Aqua is canceled in the United States, the timing of its launch, combined with the FCC’s expanded foreign drone restrictions, places the product in a difficult position. For now, the Aqua is a striking example of how quickly regulatory changes can overtake innovation. The drone may be built to survive water with ease, but navigating US policy has proven to be a much tougher test.

More: The US isn’t banning every foreign drone after all