A drone in flight during a race in the UK earlier this year. (credit: Dave Stock)

On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration unveiled its long-anticipated rules for small consumer drones, which call for a new “remote pilot certificate,” a blanket ban on night flights, and a requirement that all flights remain below 400 feet or within 400 feet of a structure.

Under the new operational rules, which take effect in August 2016, drone pilots must be at least 16 years old or be supervised or by an adult with a remote pilot certificate. The pilot must also maintain “visual line of sight” with the drone at all times, among other requirements.

“This is a huge day for the industry!” Lisa Ellman, a drone lawyer with Hogan Lovells, told Ars. “Long term, this is going to be seen as a watershed moment—the flood gates will now be opened and drone use will be broadly authorized for commercial industry, so we can take advantage of all of their safety and efficiency benefits.”