OSKALOOSA — A flight over Oskaloosa and Pella recently provided more than scenic views. It also offered a chance to hear the story behind Open Air Education, an Iowa-based effort aimed at helping more people discover aviation and pursue careers in the industry.
During a recent interview with Oskaloosa News, Jeff and Elizabeth Jorgensen shared how a passion for aviation evolved into a mission to help others overcome the barriers that often prevent people from entering the field.
For Jeff Jorgensen, aviation began with childhood visits to his grandparents’ farm near the Newton airport. Watching aircraft take off and land sparked an interest that eventually led him into military service, flight training, aircraft ownership, and flight instruction…