In 1937 a group of aviation executives were invited to a weekend at an Arizona ranch by TWA's President, Jack Frye, and Vice-President, John B. Walker. The result was the formation of a non-profit corporation in 1938 called the Conquistadores Del Cielo (Conquerors of the Sky) by a group of 91 executives from the aviation industry-airlines, parts suppliers, engine manufactures, fuel companies, etc. When space exploration came into being, these men were also invited.
Ray G. Sparks was initiated into the Conquistadores Del Cielo in 1941. He was a barnstormer, a racer, Vice-President and General Manager for Curtiss-Wright in the Midwest, and pioneered Group Life Insurance for pilots with the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. This was in the days when no insurance company would issue pilot's insurance. At one time he carried TWA, Continental, Wien Air Alaska, and several other airline's Group Life Insurance. During WW II he flew a P-47 as a fighter pilot and attained the rank of Colonel.
From the guide to the Conquistadores Del Cielo Papers, 1940-1975, (Wright State University, Special Collections and Archives)
