The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) announces Ned Parks as the winner of the Jack J. Eggspuehler Service Award. This award recognizes an individual or organization who makes a significant contribution to flight instructors, flight instruction, and aviation education The award was presented at the NAFI annual member breakfast on July 28th at EAA AirVenture.
Ned’s commitment to the betterment of aviation education, safety practices, and his tireless efforts to share his knowledge with flight instructors is commendable. He blends his passion for flying with his ability to communicate in many different settings and formats to demonstrate his dedication to flight training.
Ned contributes to NAFI, its programs, teams, communications, and community. A few of the areas Ned has helped NAFI include:
- Presented at the NAFI Professional Development Center
- Presented for MentorLIVE
- Volunteered on the Membership Engagement and Recruitment Committee
- Developed, organized, and launched the ongoing Member Ambassador program designed for members to welcome new members to NAFI
- Introduced Special Interest Groups to NAFI, online small group discussions of special topics of interest to members
- Hosts the monthly Rotor Instructor SIG
- Presented in the NAFI Professional Development Program
In addition to his volunteer efforts for NAFI, he is an active volunteer in the East Central Ohio Pilots Association. He has also presented at the Helicopter Association International conference.
Ned Parks’ aviation roots date back to his great uncle, Oliver Parks, who started Parks Air College, the first certified aviation school in the US in 1927. Ned flew UH-1 helicopters in the Army and has run several full-service FBOs. He holds ATP/CFII certificates and is rated in both fixed and rotor-wing. Ned is a FAASTeam member with 4,800+ flight hours. He owns Aegis 360 Consulting, a global provider of staff development services, business consulting, and strategy.
“To say I was surprised would be an understatement. To say I am honored is a bigger understatement. As always, I am here to support NAFI and flight instruction,” said Ned, He continued that NAFI President Paul Preidecker made a statement during the breakfast that really hit home with me. He said, “Whether there is a pilot shortage or not does not matter, what matters is quality instruction.”
Ned remarked, “We in NAFI must not forget that. No matter the demand for flight instruction, we must stay laser-focused on quality instruction. Thank you for this amazing honor.”
In recognizing Ned, Paul Preidecker said “Ned Parks is a friend and colleague of the industry. When I think of role-models, Ned is at the top of the list.”
