White House clears small, commercial drones for takeoff

Routine commercial use of small drones was cleared for takeoff by the Obama administration Tuesday, after years of struggling to write rules that would both protect public safety and free the benefits of a new technology. The Federal Aviation Administration announced the creation of a new category of rules for drones weighing less than 55 pounds. The long-anticipated rules would mean drone operators would be able to fly without special permission. "This rule is just a first step along a path of full integration of drones into the national airspace system, and the first page of a new chapter for aviation technology," said Jason Miller, an Obama economic adviser. Currently, commercial operators have to apply for a waiver from rules that govern manned aircraft, a process that can be time-consuming and expensive.