Aeronautics Chief Pilot, Tim Valento.
Aeronautics Chief Pilot Tim Valento, will complete his last flight for Mn/DOT on Tuesday December 7, 2010. He will then step into his new role as a retiree.
Valento started his flying career in 1966, but didn’t begin flying for Aeronautics until March 1980. From 1966 to the present he has accumulated a total of well over 13,000 hours of safe flying time. More than 4,200 hours of that time was flown as an instructor pilot. During his flying career, Valento has flown most every aircraft type from a single-engine Cessna 150, to a three- engine Boeing 727 airliner. When asked which aircraft he liked the most Valento quickly replied, “I like them all. Each one has a different feel and personality that makes them unique in their own way.”
He was also quick to answer the question of which airport anywhere in the country was his favorite, and why? He answered with a smile saying, “I always loved flying into and out of Washington, D.C. at night. It is just so beautiful with all the great monuments and lights. It is one of my favorite places for sure.”
Tim Valento is known around Mn/DOT primarily for his outstanding flying, But many do not know that he is also a skilled fisherman, an avid golfer, and hard-playing racquetball aficionado. Though his primary passion is flying, he still pours a great deal of energy into his sports and also into his community.
Tim rarely if ever talks about the many generous activities he gladly and humbly participates in through his church, for his community. One example is that for more than 25 years Valento has been a ‘very early riser’ on Thanksgiving Day morning as he volunteers to cook and prepare meals for the needy at the Cherokee Restaurant in St. Paul. He arrives back home just about the time most of us get up to start the holiday.
But that’s not all. Since the year 2000, Tim has spent a fair amount of time baking Christmas cookies and making homemade Christmas candy to send to U.S. troops in the war zones.
He has served a term or more in each position available as an active member of the Minnesota Business Aviation Association (MBAA), and been recognized for his service as president. He also serves as a Committee Chair for the Committee on Pilot Training, for the National Business Aviation Association.
Valento lives with his wife Mary, in St. Paul. They have two grown daughters, Gina and Andrea. When asked what plans he has for retirement Tim smiles and said, “Mary and I will play a lot of golf…when it warms up, travel, and spend time with the grandkids.
