WONDER LAKE – Steve Wohnrade of Wonder Lake said he believes the U.S. drones market is going to explode in the near future.

“Drones have a lot of applications,” Wohnrade said. “There’s almost no business that can’t use drone data or photography for something.”

Seeing a need for a drone service around the nation, the Wonder Lake resident said he wanted to create his own drones company.

“About three years ago, I saw my sister and nephew working with drones in Colorado. So I began messing around with drones and decided to started my own LLC in Illinois with the help of my two nephews,” Wohnrade said.

Air1 Drone Services LLC officially opened for business Sept. 1, offering data collection and aerial inspections, as well as videography and photography for real estate, construction, engineering and other purposes.

Another service the Wonder Lake company provides is drone setup and training for first-time users.

“We also use the drones for internet promotions on people’s web pages,” Wohnrade said. “We do quick flyovers and get aerial footage that helps promote real estate, businesses and events.”

Wohnrade said his company serves anywhere he’s willing to drive to, including central Illinois and Wisconsin.

“I’ll travel a little bit if there’s a job out there that can use my services,” Wohnrade said.

While Air1 Drone Services provides help for a lot of different needs, Wohnrade said he thinks the business’ future will include using the drones for data collection.

“Along with the photography side, there’s a much more technical end to it, such as surveying and thermal imaging for collecting data purposes,” Wohnrade said. “That’s where the market is headed for drones, and what we will likely end up focusing on as a company.”

Even though a lot of people might still be wary of drones, Wohnrade said, his company’s motto is to “fly them safely, legally and ethically.”

“As a new startup in this field, we want to help carry this industry respectfully,” Wohnrade said. “We want to set a good example.”

Last year, the Federal Aviation Administration started enforcing new drone guidelines. As part of the guidelines, drone operators are required to have a remote pilot certification to fly them commercially. To obtain a remote pilot certificate, applicants must be at least 16 years old, be examined by the Transportation Security Administration and either pass an FAA initial aeronautical knowledge test or complete a small unmanned aircraft system online training course.

“To get the certificate, you have to study, know the weather, aerodynamics and stuff like that,” Wohnrade said. “These new FAA rules are making things safer, and less people should be worried about drones because of these rules.”