I think a closer analogy would be if Delta was developing an experimental plane that was not certified for commercial use and they got permission to operate it

I think a closer analogy would be if Delta was developing an experimental plane that was not certified for commercial use and they got permission to operate it over a residential area. Technically correct but you'd understand if people who lived under the flight path might have some concerns, even more so if they weren't involved and/or asked as a part of the operational endorsement.