Biography of Duke Valentour

Duke Valentour is an industrial engineer and systems engineer at Ball Aerospace, part of BAE Systems, now known as Space & Mission Systems, located in Boulder, Colorado. The company develops and delivers advanced space technologies and solutions supporting national security, intelligence, and civilian space missions. Duke’s role involves careful examination of the engineering department’s workflows, particularly targeting the cycle and process times involved in assembly and fabrication tasks He leads projects to improve

processes related to Optical Systems in Research and Development, Production, and Depot Programs.

His responsibilities include performing root cause analyses to identify failures in production processes and working to implement sustainable solutions. In doing so, Duke regularly engages with production technicians to ensure practical and effective improvements. His work supports the efficiency and quality of the products developed by the engineering teams.

Duke’s journey with the company began as an intern in 2020 Over time, he demonstrated consistent performance and dedication, which led to his hiring. In 2024, following Ball Aerospace’s acquisition by BAE Systems, he was promoted to his current position This progression highlights Duke’s growing expertise and the organization's trust in him.

Jonathan Wayne Valentour’s Early Aviation Inspiration and Career

Jonathan Wayne Valentour developed a strong interest in aviation from a young age. This passion was sparked through frequent visits to the National Museum of the U S Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. These trips were shared with his grandfather, Colonel Wayne Basset. The museum, recognized as the world’s oldest and largest military aviation museum, houses more than 360 aircraft and missiles on display. These visits provided early exposure to the history and technology of flight, laying a foundation for his later pursuits.

While interning at Ball Aerospace in 2021, Duke successfully passed his private pilot check ride. This milestone marked the beginning of his formal aviation training. He continued to advance by starting the instrument rating process in 2023, completing it before the end of that year This rating allows pilots to fly in a wider range of weather conditions, emphasizing Duke’s commitment to gaining a well-rounded set of piloting skills.

In early 2024, he began preparing for his commercial pilot license, and within a few months, he earned this credential, often referred to as “getting the plastic” due to the physical pilot certificate. By the end of 2024, he also obtained his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) license Alongside this achievement, Duke took

on roles as a glider tow pilot at Mile High Gliding, based at Boulder Airport, and as a flight instructor, sharing his skills and knowledge with others.

Jonathan Wayne Valentour holds a Commercial Pilot License with an Instrument Rating and certification as a Flight Instructor. His endorsements cover complex airplanes, high-performance aircraft, tailwheel operations, and glider towing He has accumulated approximately 800 flight hours, including 250 hours flying tailwheel aircraft and 10 hours operating complex airplanes. These numbers reflect a range of experience across different types of aircraft and flight conditions Professionally, Duke has served as a Certified Flight Instructor at Journeys Aviation, worked as a tow pilot at Mile High Gliding, and provided instruction in ground school, demonstrating competence both in the air and classroom settings

Educational Background: From Archbishop Alter High School to Ohio State University

Jonathan Wayne Valentour’s formal education began at Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio This co-educational Catholic private school emphasizes comprehensive education and challenges students to achieve their potential. While attending, Duke participated in baseball and football. His football teams advanced to the state playoffs during his sophomore, junior, and senior years, indicating strong team performance and his involvement in competitive athletics.

In 2017 Duke enrolled at Ohio State University (OSU) in Columbus, Ohio There, he pursued studies in Engineering and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Systems Engineering. During his time at OSU, from 2020 to 2021, he held the position of Business Development Lead for the Buckeye Space Launch Initiative This role provided leadership experience within a space-focused student organization.

While attending OSU, Duke worked at the Ball Packaging facility, where he was involved in manufacturing cans and lids. Through this job, he first became aware of Ball Aerospace, the company where he would eventually intern and build his career His persistence and determination allowed him to secure an internship with Ball Aerospace, an opportunity that helped shape his professional path.

Volunteering as a Young Eagles Pilot: Inspiring Future Aviators

Jonathan Wayne Valentour actively volunteers for the Young Eagles program, affiliated with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Through this program, he donates his time to provide free introductory flights to youth aged 8 to 17. These flights introduce young people to aviation, hoping to inspire some to pursue pilot careers.

Duke conducts pre-flight briefings to explain safety and flight basics in his volunteer work, flies the young participants, and holds post-flight question-and-answer sessions to deepen their understanding. The EAA, founded more than seventy years ago in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, began as a group interested in building their airplanes and has grown to promote aviation broadly

As a member of the EAA, Duke connects with a community that shares his passion for flight His volunteer efforts allow him to pass on the enthusiasm for aviation that his grandfather and father encouraged in him, continuing a family legacy of support and inspiration in this field.

Personal Interests: The Outdoors and Nature

Outside of his professional and aviation activities, Duke enjoys spending time outdoors His hobbies include hiking, skiing, and general outdoor exploration Whether navigating mountain trails on foot or skiing down snow-covered slopes, he values physical challenges and the opportunities to connect with nature.

These outdoor pursuits complement his passion for flying, as aviation offers a unique perspective on the landscapes he enjoys. The time spent in nature allows Duke to balance his technical work with physical activity and moments of quiet reflection His interests in hiking and skiing reflect a lifestyle that appreciates endurance and the freedom of movement.