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2026 USA Drone Law "Drone Ban"

At Scanifly, we know that recent news regarding foreign drone bans (specifically the FCC’s "Covered List" and the Countering CCP Drones Act) has caused confusion and concern for solar surveyors and drone pilots.

We are writing this update to reassure you that all of the drones that we recommend can still be used and are not banned and to clarify exactly what these new regulations do.

The Short Version

  • You are safe to fly: The current regulations do not ground existing drones or make it illegal to operate the drones currently on our recommended list.

  • Our recommendations are approved: Every drone currently listed on our Recommended Drones page—including the DJI Mini 4 Pro, Autel EVO II Pro V3, and DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise—already has FCC authorization. They are not affected by the ban on "new" models.

  • We are monitoring the situation: Scanifly is actively tracking regulatory changes. If any future legislation impacts your ability to work, we will notify you immediately with updated guidance.

1. The "Ban" Targets New, Future Models—Not Yours

It is critical to understand the distinction between "existing" and "new" models under the recent FCC ruling (effective late 2025). The regulations are designed to stop future foreign-made drones from receiving FCC authorization to enter the US market.

They do not apply retroactively to drones that have already been approved.

This means the drones you likely own or plan to buy from our Drones List have "grandfathered" status. You can continue to:

  • Buy these models from US retailers.

  • Legally operate them for commercial (Part 107) and recreational use.

  • Use them with Scanifly’s software without interruption.

2. Scanifly’s Recommended Drones Are Approved

We curate our hardware list to ensure reliability and compliance. We have verified that the core drones we recommend for solar surveying are already FCC-authorized and legal for import and sale. Because these models received their FCC approvals before the cutoff, they are not subject to the import restrictions placed on unreleased or unauthorized hardware.

  • DJI Mini 4 Pro: Fully approved and remains a top recommendation for residential sites.

  • Autel EVO II Pro V3: Fully approved and remains the "gold standard" for commercial and complex residential work.

  • DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise: Fully approved and widely used for high-volume commercial inspections.

3. Our Commitment to You

  • Continuous Monitoring: Our team reads the legislation so you don't have to. We are following updates from the FCC, Congress, and industry advocacy groups.

  • Proactive Updates: If a specific drone model becomes non-viable for commercial work due to new legislation, we will remove it from our list and proactively alert users who fly it but we do not expect this to happen!

  • Hardware Agnostic: Scanifly software is designed to work with a wide range of hardware. Should the market shift away from specific manufacturers entirely, we will identify and test the best compliant alternatives (such as NDAA-compliant drones) to ensure your business keeps running smoothly.

Summary

If you are flying a drone from our Recommended List, keep flying. You are compliant, and your hardware is supported.

If you have specific questions about buying a new drone or your current fleet, please reach out to our support team at hello@scanifly.com