Oliver Parks

Oliver L. "Lafe" Parks (June 10, 1899 - February 28, 1985) was an early aviator most known for his pioneering work in the fields of pilot training and aviation, including playing a major role in US military pilot training in World War II. His aviation activities also included aircraft manufacturing and sales, airport ownership and operation and airline ownership and operation. In 1946–1950, Parks played a prominent role in the US airline industry. Through his airline, Parks Air Lines, he controlling a portfolio of route authorities viewed as potentially making his company one of the most significant carriers of its kind. But due to an unacceptable delay in starting operations, those rights were revoked by the same regulators that bestowed them. Parks managed to start operations on a single route shortly before losing the rights. Parks Air Lines was then sold to Ozark Air Lines in exchange for stock in Ozark. Since Ozark, at the time, had no airline operations, Parks Air Lines essentially became Ozark, just with a new name and management.