Claudio Valentini
My main reason for wanting to be a COPA director is to advocate for the personal freedoms of Canadian general aviation pilots and to strengthen general aviation.
My many years in aviation as a pilot, airport owner and educator have allowed me to see aviation in a practical way, through the eyes of the thousands of pilots I have met, as well as the officials of Canadian regulatory bodies at all government levels.
My single most important skill is that my multi-faceted background has instilled in me a balanced approach to problem solving and achieving realistic goals.
Background and Experience
- Member of COPA for 24 years, an avid flyer with 2,000 plus hours in many types
- Owner or leasee of C206, C177RG, two C172s, C150, two Merlins, and a CH-701
- Holder of a Commercial Licence, formerly Ultra-Light Instructor Licence, and ratings
- Author and distributor of 'test' Tomvale Ground School Software preparing candidates for Transport Canada exams, and used by thousands of pilots across Canada, (including COPA literature with every software package)
- Formerly a Transport Canada Authorized Person for the issue of Pilot Licences
- Formerly an Industry Canada Authorized Person and Examiner for Radio Licences
- Builder, owner and manager of Tomvale Airport (NA9) for over 20 years
- Owner and instructor for Tomvale Flight School at Tomvale as well as Arnprior in association with Morris Island Aviation and Chapman Aviation
- Manager and ground school instructor for satellite school of Central Airways
- Developer of waterfront community adjacent to Tomvale
- B.F.A. Hons. from York U., B.Ed. from U of T, O.T.C. from U of T
- Initiator of changes in the original CARs
- Teacher and administrator
- Designer of numerous websites
- Consultant on several aerodrome projects
- Former president of local ratepayers association and mayoralty candidate
- Board and steering committee member for local small business development corporation, member of numerous committees and initiatives in education, and member of numerous professional organizations