With new federal support announced Wednesday, it’s a good day for drone companies trying to make their way into an airspace that’s crowded with regulations, safety concerns, social difficulties and other obstacles.

US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced ten test projects that will bring the unmanned aircraft into the skies. That means faster approval for experiments that could have drones sending medical supplies like blood and defibrillators, inspecting industrial sites from the air and even transporting people by air.

“Our country is on the verge of the most significant new development in aviation since the emergence of the jet age,” Chao said at a press conference. “We’ve got to create a path forward for the safe integration of drones if our country its to remain a global aviation leader and reap the safety and economic benefits drones have to offer.”

The projects are part of an effort called the Integration Pilot Program announced in November. Each matches drone companies and state or local governments willing to shoulder some of the responsibilities for developing the technology.

Some consumers have purchased drones as novelties, but some of the most interesting work with the aircraft are business uses. Real estate agents could provide prospective buyers with aerial views of properties, oil refineries and pipeline operators could inspect facilities, and of course Amazon could whisk products to your home for near-instant gratification of consumer impulses.

Chao mentioned several specific areas drones can help: Agriculture, commerce, health care, disaster assistance, emergency response, and human transportation.

The IPP makes pilot projects easier, but it doesn’t eliminate certification requirements. But with local and state governments on board, potential adversaries to drone experiments become champions.

This is a developing story. More details to come…