Commercial drones could soon be given the green light: Report outlines plans to lift the ban on flying machines over crowds and during deliveries

'Every TV station in the country wants one, but they can't be limited to flying in the middle of nowhere because there's no news in the middle of nowhere,' said Jim Williams, a former head of the FAA's drone office who now advises the industry for Dentons, an international law firm. Mobile network providers also want to loosen restrictions so drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles, can inspect mobile phone masts, which often are in urban areas. Amazon's vision for package deliveries entails drones winging their way over city and suburban neighborhoods. The AP obtained a copy of the recommendations, which were sent to the FAA late Friday. The agency is not bound by the recommendations and can make changes when it writes the final rules.