Highly anticipated federal rules on commercial drones are expected to require operators to have a license and limit flights to daylight hours. The drone industry has awaited commercial rules for about six years, hoping the rules would pave the way for widespread drone use in industries such as farming, filmmaking and construction.

Current FAA policy allows recreational drone flights in the USA but essentially bars drones from commercial use. While the FAA wants to open the skies to unmanned commercial flights, the expected rules are more restrictive than drone supporters sought and wouldn’t address privacy concerns over the use of drones.