The HoverAir Aqua, a highly anticipated waterproof selfie drone, is facing significant hurdles in launching in the United States due to new regulatory changes by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The drone, which successfully raised over $2 million from more than 1,800 backers on Indiegogo, was initially expected to begin shipping in December 2025, a timeline that was later pushed to February 2026. The core issue stems from the FCC's decision in December 2025 to expand its 'Covered List,' a registry of companies and products ineligible for FCC equipment authorization. This move, which was broader than initially anticipated to target mainly DJI, now blocks new approvals for foreign-made drones on a going-forward basis. Critically, the HoverAir Aqua does not appear in the FCC's database of approved devices. Without this essential authorization, drones cannot be legally imported or sold in the United States, effectively rendering the Aqua's US launch 'next to impossible.' This regulatory shift highlights how timing has played a crucial role in the Aqua's predicament; had it secured FCC clearance before the rules changed, its status would likely be different. HoverAir's existing drone models, such as the X1, X1 Pro, and X1 ProMax, remain unaffected as they received FCC approval prior to the new regulations. In response to the changes, HoverAir has temporarily halted accepting new orders for shipment to US addresses and is actively exploring compliance pathways. For US-based backers, the situation creates uncertainty regarding the delivery of their pre-ordered drones. This development underscores the increasing impact of geopolitical and national security considerations on the global consumer drone market.