Following the tragic accident of 2011 which cost veteran show pilot Jimmy Leeward and ten spectators their lives when his P-51 crashed into the crowd, the 2012 course was changed to move the final straight to more than 1,000 feet from the grandstand with a gentler final curve; additionally the Air Races’ insurance premiums had such a substantial hike that it was necessary to enter into a co-branded sponsorship deal with the Nevada Tourism Commission reportedly valued at $600,000.00 resulting in the name of the event being changed to the “TravelNevada.com National Championship Air Races.”
More than 100,000 were in attendance when Steven Hinson won the “Unlimited Gold” final race in his highly-modified P-51 Mustang “Strega.” Runner-up in the final was former Astronaut Robert “Hoot” Gibson in the Hawker Sea Fury “September Fury“, and third was Dennis Sanders in the T.20 Sea Fury, “Dreadnought.”
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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