HoverAir’s transforming modular drone has already been halted in the US

I am so sorry, fellow US gadget fans: the FCC’s drone ban appears to have struck again. The HoverAir Versa — a baby steadycam with snap-on propeller wings that transform it into a drone — has already stopped taking US orders just three days after its Indiegogo debut, and may be forced to abandon shipping plans in the US. HoverAir is now telling backers it’s only shipping its camera to the US, not the piece that turns it into a drone, “due to a few remaining logistics updates with the Flight Kit.” But those “logistics” may actually be a euphemism for “we’ve been banned by the federal government.” The FCC’s database no longer has an entry for the HoverAir Versa at all, suggesting that its authorization grant has been pulled. The FCC gave an off-the-record confirmation to PCMag’s Jim Fisher, writing: “Importing, marketing, or selling this device in the United States is a violation of US law, and the FCC has directed HoverAir to cease any such activity immediately. The device in question is on the FCC’s Covered List: the Versa camera alone is a prohibited UAS critical component produced in a foreign country and, when the Flight Kit is included, the device falls under the ban on UAS produced in a foreign country. The certification for this device was granted erroneously and has been set aside by the FCC and removed from our public database.” [Image: https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/chrome_LOHM8EWKql.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] On Wednesday, I told you how giving a camera wings probably wasn’t a good enough loophole to keep the FCC from feeling tricked. Even though the HoverAir Versa did make it through the FCC on August 9th, we confirmed, that approval was for a camera, not a drone. The Chinese company, Zero Zero Robotics, told the FCC’s agent the camera shouldn’t be blocked because Zero Zero isn’t on the FCC’s Covered List for cameras — which is true. But all companies are automatically on the FCC’s covered list for drones and critical drone components, and the FCC explicitly defines cameras as one of those components. [Image: Early buyers may need refunds. https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/chrome_0z9pEtE6iT.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] If HoverAir’s camera authorization is now rejected, it won’t just be the “Flight Kit” accessory that it can’t import, market, or sell in the United States. The camera portion won’t be legal, either, as it needs FCC authorization too. Currently, HoverAir’s Indiegogo page no longer shows the “Flight Kit” as a selectable option to people browsing from the US, but it does still market it, and backers can order the camera portion. When I use a VPN to change my internet address to Canada, combos that include the Flight Kit suddenly appear. That won’t help US residents buy one, though. In the Indiegogo comments section, one backer who already ordered the camera wrote: “When looking at my pledge, it shows that they can’t ship to my address.” [Image: These are the only options now available to backers in the US, and even they may disappear. https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/chrome_SnXkyebCYe.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] HoverAir did not immediately respond to a request for comment. We’ve asked the company whether it will commit to refunds more quickly this time around — when the brand failed to obtain certification for the waterproof HoverAir Aqua last December, it spent months telling backers it would ship as soon as possible rather than revealing the truth. I tried to speak to the FCC about what’s going on, but once again, an agency spokesperson refused to go on the record. It appears the FCC may take further action against HoverAir. In its off-the-record statement to PCMag, it writes: “The FCC is considering further action against HoverAir for apparently willfully violating the FCC’s Covered List rules.” Update, August 24th: Added the statement PCMag obtained from FCC personnel who were unwilling to go on the record.