Suspected DJI Front Jovistar Gives Up Its FCC Drone Approval

Jovistar Inc., a California company flagged as a suspected DJI front, has asked to give up the FCC approval for its small folding drone and controller, saying it never imported, marketed or sold them. The FCC logged a “Dismissal By TCB Request” notice on 8 October 2026. It is the latest twist in the government’s push against companies suspected of selling rebadged DJI hardware after DJI itself was blocked from new US approvals.

Here is what Jovistar filed, why researchers linked it to DJI, and where the FCC’s wider crackdown on suspected front companies stands. Being named a suspected front is an allegation, not a finding; Jovistar has not been charged with anything.

Quick answer

What Jovistar filed

In a letter to TÜV Rheinland dated 24 September 2026, signed by CEO Haifeng Ding, Jovistar said it had never imported, marketed, sold or shipped the drone, in the US or elsewhere, and “no longer intends to maintain the FCC certification,” DroneXL reported. The letter asked TÜV to forward the notice to the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology and replaced an earlier surrender request dated 15 September. The FCC’s file now shows a dismissal notice dated 8 October.

How the grant was ended matters legally. Under the FCC’s rules, a certification body can set aside a grant at the applicant’s request only within 30 days of issuing it; after that, only the FCC can revoke it. The public file does not say which authority was used, DroneXL noted. The Verge reported on 16 October that TÜV asked the FCC to block Jovistar’s applications and that the FCC agreed; DroneXL’s reading of the exhibits is that TÜV acted on Jovistar’s own written request.

Why researchers tied Jovistar to DJI

• Radio signature. Security researcher Konrad Iturbe’s scanner flagged the filings because their radio bands match the pattern of DJI’s proprietary OcuSync link; both FCC IDs appear on his public tracker of suspected DJI front companies.
• Shared details with Fikaxo. The aircraft label exhibit is titled with FKABZFI, the model code of a drone certified by Fikaxo Technology, and Jovistar’s technical contact phone number matches the one Fikaxo lists. Fikaxo’s drone was approved six days earlier through the same lab and certification body.
• A consumer brand. Jovistar’s quick start guide lists skyanydrone.com at its Sacramento address. Skyany sold the Skyany X1 on Amazon, which DroneXL described as a near-twin of the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

DroneXL also corrected its own 2025 reporting: it had called the filing a likely DJI Mini 5 Pro clone, but FCC photos show a 4K gimbal camera too small to be the Mini 5 Pro’s 1-inch unit, and a 2,560 mAh battery made by a Shenzhen supplier.

The FCC’s wider crackdown on suspected fronts

Since the FCC added DJI, Autel and all foreign-made drones to its Covered List in December 2025, new DJI-made models cannot get US authorisation. That created an incentive to certify DJI hardware under other names, and the FCC has moved against it:

• In July 2026 the FCC proposed fines of $25,000 each against eight suspected front companies.
• A 17 July notice proposed cutting off approvals for nine companies, including Fikaxo, citing DroneXL’s reporting in its footnotes.
• The FCC is separately pursuing a revocation case against Odyssey Robot over a claimed made-in-USA label.
• Jovistar was not among the companies named in the July actions; the FCC’s letters of inquiry are not public.

We covered an earlier case in the Skyrover S1 FCC action, and the full rules in which drones are banned in the US and the 19 foreign drones approved despite the Covered List. The FCC also says it did not rely on the Pentagon’s recently filed DJI letters for its ban; see what those letters say.

What it means for buyers

• Little-known brands selling drones that look like current DJI models deserve caution: approvals can be withdrawn, which can affect resale, support and firmware.
• Check the FCC ID on the box or listing and look it up on the FCC’s equipment authorisation database; from 2027, marketplaces must show valid FCC IDs.
• Drones you already own remain legal to fly; the FCC actions target new authorisations and sales.
• If you want a DJI drone, buy a model DJI itself had authorised before 22 December 2025 from a reputable seller.

Frequently asked questions

What is a DJI front company?

A company suspected of certifying and selling DJI-made drones under its own name to get around the FCC’s Covered List. Being named a suspect is an allegation, not a finding.

Why did Jovistar give up its FCC approval?

Jovistar told its certification body it never imported, marketed or sold the drone and no longer intended to maintain the approval. The FCC logged a dismissal notice on 8 October 2026.

Is the FCC fining DJI front companies?

In July 2026 the FCC proposed $25,000 fines against eight suspected front companies and proposed cutting off approvals for nine, including Fikaxo.

How can I check a drone’s FCC approval?

Find the FCC ID on the drone, box or listing and search it in the FCC’s equipment authorisation database.

Is my drone illegal if its FCC approval is withdrawn?

Generally no for drones already bought; the actions target new authorisations and sales. Check the FCC’s notices for any specific product.

Cover photo: Federal Communications Commission headquarters hearing room (FCC).

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Sources

• DroneXL: Suspected DJI shell Jovistar kills its own FCC drone approval (17 October 2026)
• The Verge: Another DJI front company bites the dust (16 October 2026)
• Jovistar request for dismissal of FCC grant 2BRGW-FKAWZJO
• 47 CFR 2.962: Certification bodies (eCFR)
• Konrad Iturbe: DJI front companies tracker
• FCC: Covered List fact sheet