Aerial drones could begin flying test runs over remote areas of Central Oregon in the near future, if a proposal to open a military operations area to the testing gets federal approval.

The unmanned aircraft are currently prohibited from flying in general airspace, and testing is usually allowed only in restricted military airspace, unless companies obtain special certificates.

That puts testing spots in high demand, and the opening of a new area could boost Central Oregon’s economy, according to the nonprofit Economic Development for Central Oregon, which proposed the idea.

Read the AP version on OPB’s website here (originally posted at http://www.bendbulletin.com):