It will be a few years before we could see small drone helicopters delivering boxes from Amazon.com. At least that’s the message from proposed regulations issued by the Federal Aviation Administration last weekend.

The FAA is saying that commercial drones can be used, but with certain restrictions, including not flying at night, not flying faster than 100 miles per hour, not flying near people other than the drone pilot, and not going higher than 500 feet.

For many people, the idea of pilotless drones buzzing around overhead seems as unlikely as seeing a flying car from the old Jetsons cartoon television show. But advances in technology are rapidly changing pilotless aircraft, making the small helicopter-like drones easier and safer to fly.

Drone applications in the commercial and public safety areas are significant. Drones could help farmers examine crop conditions or find lost livestock. Drones could be used to check bridges and cellular towers for damage. Drones also could be used in search and rescue operations, covering wide areas without putting humans at risk when conditions are dangerous. And drones could help save lives in disaster recovery operations.

High-end real estate sales could use drones to feature dramatic fly-over views of featured estates, adding a new dimension to the virtural tours now offered online. Already, drones are revolutionizing the way movies are shot. In fact, movie making is one of the few exceptions that have been approved by the FAA allowing drones to be used in commercial ventures.

There is great potentional for drones to revolutionize many industries while also reducing costs and risks to humans. But drone operators must do their part, by accepting limits and complying with regulations and licensing. If drones are misused in ways that create risks to humans, such as flying near airports or crashing into crowds at public events, political pressure could force the FAA to impose much stricter limits.

Most observers, including current drone pilots and technologists involved in drone development, support the FAA’s proposed rules and the gradual process of implementing the regulations while recognizing the latest technology advances.

The refusal to allow package delivery via drones did not please Amazon, which threatened to take its drone-delivery business to other countries.

Technology could address a risk drones now pose, flying out of the pilot’s control range, which was the explanation for the drone crash landing on the White House lawn last month. High-end drones already feature GPS and radar-type sensors that allow the craft to return to the place it was launched if it strays beyond its control zone. Similar technologies, assuming costs drop over time, could prevent many drone crashes and keep them from being flown in restricted areas.

As uncomfortable as the idea of drones zipping around overhead might be, the technology has great potential for public safety and commercial applications. The FCC is smart to start by issuing these proposed regulations and restrictions, which will begin a public debate and help bring understanding and acceptance of drones. Drone pilots, professional and hobbyist, have a responsibility to follow the rules, use good judgement and caution whenever flying. A few knuckleheads crashing drones into crowds or airplanes will set back the entire industry.