New pilot service available at Newton Airport

Newton Daily News

Fred Rhodes, of Newton, earned his pilot’s license this week with the help of his Flight Instructor, Jeff Jorgenson.

This is a big accomplishment for both men for two very different reasons. Rhodes, 55, saved his money to buy a small 1956 Piper Tri-Pacer aircraft for about the price of a new car. He and his wife, Dorothy plan to use the aircraft to travel out of state to visit family and grandkids. Jorgenson, a graduate of Newton Senior High School class of 1990, is a stay-at-home dad who got his private pilot’s license in Newton from Earl Johnson 20 years ago.

Since then, Jorgenson had worked a day job and collected his flight ratings over the years, first his Instrument rating in 1999 his commercial rating and then his certificate of flight instruction (CFI) in 2009. Jorgenson couldn’t be happier.

“I’m married to my high-school sweetheart, Mindi. While our daughter, Olivia, is in school I have the flexibility to bring my 2 year old, Isaac, with me when I fly with students. It’s great! He loves airplanes,” he said.

Jorgenson is also a retired avionics technician from the Iowa Air National Guard and grew up watching airplanes from his grandparents farm near the Newton Airport. Having moved to Minnesota for several years, Jorgenson has recently moved back into the Newton Area.

“I see a lot of opportunity for aviation business in Newton,” Jorgenson said.

With a shortage of pilots due to the mandatory retirement of airline pilots at age 65 and the military producing less pilots to supply to the airlines, it is a good time for young people to get their license. Pilot training is a great S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) educational platform and Jorgenson often provides rides to kids.

A person can solo at age 16 and get your pilot’s license at age 17. Being a pilot is very attainable for anyone with the desire to achieve it. And, as Rhodes has found out...

“I never had the time to drive out of state and back in a weekend to visit family. Now I do,” he said.

Rhodes plans his first trip to Virginia in July. For more information about becoming a pilot, visit Jorgenson’s website, SkyWebAviation.com