Several associations are giving a tentative thumbs up to new federal rules regulating the use of drones in U.S. airspace.

The new rules released Tuesday will take effect in August. The provisions require drone pilots to keep the devices within a visual line of sight. They also permit the use of drones during daylight and twilight hours if the devices have anti-collision lights installed. Drone pilots can apply to waive some of these restrictions if they can prove the devices will be operated safely.

Drone flights are restricted throughout much of the U.S., with the Federal Aviation Administration having released a smartphone app last year showing hobbyists where they can and cannot fly their devices. But several industries have been clamoring for regulations that would expend drone use. In the future, drones could be used take aerial photos of properties for sale, inspect power lines and even deliver packages ordered online.

"Today's release of the final small UAS rule by the FAA is a critical milestone in the integration process, and a long-awaited victory for American businesses and innovators," said Brian Wynne, CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, which represents the drone industry. "It establishes a clear regulatory framework and helps to reduce many barriers to civil and commercial operations, allowing anyone who follows the rules to fly in the national airspace."

The Small UAV Coalition—a lobbying group set up specifically to advocate for new drone rules—said it was particularly pleased that FAA will no longer require pilots to have manned aircraft flying experience before they can fly a drone.

"This reform alone, which was strongly urged by the Coalition, will save U.S. companies millions of dollars," the coalition said.

Douglas Johnson, vice president of technology policy for the Consumer Technology Association, said the rules strike the right balance between safety and innovation.

"From the fast delivery of emergency supplies to more efficient crop production and improved safety for our bridge and building maintenance crews, drones have the power to save lives and help millions of people across the country," Johnson said. "But the growing tangle of misaligned, conflicting rules at the state and local levels threatens to choke this nascent technology."

Drone technology has the potential to touch so many business sectors than even associations not representing drone makers issued statements about the new rules. The National Association of Realtors and Edison Electric Institute both said they were satisfied with what they saw, although EEI added it was still reviewing the rules.

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