Ernest Moreno Named Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award
July 13, 2017 - Ernest Moreno, EAA Lifetime 276279, has been named as the recipient of the 2017 Tony Bingelis Award. Ernie was nominated for this honor, reserved for a member of the aviation community who goes above and beyond assisting amateur-built aircraft builders, due to his tireless work helping his fellow aviators at EAA Chapter 292 in Independence Oregon.
Ernie has been an active EAA technical counselor since 1994, performing more than 400 reviews in that time. In addition to that work he’s been essential to Chapter 292 for a long time, doing everything from contributing his hangar space and tools to members to helping with the construction of the chapter clubhouse, contributing his leadership, finances, and labor to the build and an expansion going on now.
“I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Ernie and visiting Chapter 292 and seeing the impact he’s had on chapter members firsthand,” said Charlie Becker, EAA’s director of chapters and communities, and homebuilt community manager. “His dedication on assisting fellow builders goes beyond what we ever envisioned with the Technical Counselor program. I’m pleased such a deserving technical counselor has been selected for this award.”
In addition to his general contributions to amateur-built aircraft builders, Ernie has also helped with several specific airplane build projects, including a Chotia Gypsy, an Indy Flyer, 13 Nieuport 11s, and a DH.2 replica, and he continues to help with more builds. He also had a hand in restoring a Hornet, a Wizard, and a Talon with his chapter.
Ernie said the moment a builder sees their airplane completed, and fly for the first time, is always one that stands out to him.
“Some of these projects take over 10 years to complete,” Ernie said. “When you have a completion and they stand back and they look at this thing on the ramp, or it’s gone on its first successful flight. The look on their eyes: that’s a very meaningful experience.”
In addition to being a regular attendee at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Ernie also works with the Arlington Fly-In. He served as the lead of the grounds and maintenance crew there, further showing his willingness to get his hands dirty for the good of aviation around him.
Ernie will be presented with the Tony Bingelis Award on Thursday, July 27, at the Homebuilder’s Dinner during AirVenture. He will also be recognized at the annual Technical Counselors and Flight Advisors breakfast at 7 a.m. in the Nature Center.
