(Credit: HoverAir)
The HoverAir Aqua sure looks like it's the first notable victim of last month's foreign drone ban. The waterproof selfie drone, the first of its kind, raised more than $2 million on Indiegogo last year, but is not listed in the FCC's database of approved devices. That means it's likely now on the Covered List and won't be sold in the United States.
That's bad news for backers who paid between $999 and $1,399 for the drone during its presale period. More than 1,800 people backed the Aqua, and while we don't know how many of them are based in the United States, selfie fans who were looking forward to documenting aquatic adventures with the world's first waterproof drone are seemingly left adrift without a paddle.
To be fair, HoverAir was probably as surprised about the extent of the FCC drone ban as the rest of us. Everyone expected DJI to be added to the Covered List in late December; its fate was legally mandated with a government security audit as the only escape hatch. As the deadline got nearer and nearer, it was clear that the audit was going to happen. But the FCC didn't just add DJI to its Covered List—a registry of products and companies whose products aren't eligible for agency approval and therefore can't be sold in the US—its Dec. 22 action added all foreign-made drones on a going-forward basis.
And while HoverAir's existing X1 line of selfie drones aren't affected by the FCC decision—they're already certified and will remain to be sold in the US—the Aqua is not showing up in the agency's database of approved devices. The most recent FCC clearance for Hover's parent company, Shenzhen Zero Zero Infinity Technology, is the Falcon Mini drone, which was cleared last March.
I asked a representative from HoverAir about the additions to the Covered List and the Aqua's status and received the following response: “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.”
That's not quite a direct answer to my question, but it's telling. Had the Aqua received clearance ahead of the changes to the Covered List, the company would almost certainly want to reassure US-based customers who've already paid for the drone. It's unclear if Hover will issue refunds to US-based Aqua backers. I followed up with that question, but did not receive an immediate response.