My aviation roots date back to my cousin, Oliver Parks, who started the 1st certified aviation school in the US in 1927. I flew UH-1 helicopters in the Army and have run several full-service FBOs. I hold ATP​/​CFII, AGI, IGI, and CSIP and am rated in both fixed and rotor wings. I am a FAASTeam member with 5,300+ flight hours. More about me: As an entrepreneur, author and radio talk show host, as well as a community leader and outdoor enthusiast, Ned pulls from a wealth of experience to deliver upbeat and highly interactive programs. At age 26, Parks accepted an offer to attend Warrant Officer Candidate School and the U.S. Army Helicopter Pilot School. A year later, he was flying helicopters along South Korea’s conflicted DMZ. By age 28, Parks’ experience teaching teamwork, leadership and interpersonal communication skills in high-pressure environments came into play when he successfully completed the U.S. Army’s adult education program and became a classroom and flight line instructor. Upon returning to Ohio, Parks founded Parks Aviation Services Inc. Just three years later, Parks sold his highly successful business and joined a manufacturing company as a division general manager. Within one year, he turned the struggling, lackluster division into a highly profitable group, restoring employee morale and reducing turnover. Now, Parks harnesses his passion for helping others by conducting humor-filled leadership and motivational keynote speeches and workshops on the challenges of everyday life.

Specific Aircraft Access

Cirrus SR22 G6, SR20 G6, SR20 G7+

Home Airport(s)

KAKR – Akron Fulton International Airport (AKR), Akron, Ohio KLPR – Lorain County Regional Airport (LPR), Lorain, Ohio KBKL – Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL), Cleveland, Ohio