COLUMBUS (WCMH) – The Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday new rules that clear the way for routine commercial use of small drones.

The new category for drones weighing less than 55 pounds allows drone owners to fly without special permission.

This is good news for small business owners like John Ondo. The documentary film maker has owned a drone for two years, but rarely flies it.

“I’ve kind of kept it under the table,” said Ondo, who is president of Ondo Media. “I haven’t marketed. So today is a big deal.”

The new rules allow realtors to film properties and ranchers to keep track of flocks without getting a manned aircraft pilots license.

Right now, commercial operators needed to apply for a waiver from rules that govern manned aircraft. Since 2014, the FAA has granted 6,100 waivers and another 7,600 are waiting for approval.

“The only alternative I had up until today was getting a pilot license,” said Ondo. “This could cost between $5,000 and $10,000 and that’s just not economical.”

Commercial drone owners must still register their drones and pass and aviation knowledge exams for drone pilots. And just like aircraft hobbyists, drone owners must keep their drones within sight, not flying the over people or higher than 400 feet.

“We don’t want to run into airplanes. We don’t want to hurt anybody. We want to do it properly because we want to make money,” said Ondo.

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