Jorge Chávez
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For the Peruvian jockey, see Jorge Chavez
Jorge Chávez Dartnell (circa 1887-September 27, 1910), known as Géo Chavez, was a French-Peruvian aviator. Chávez, who was born to Peruvian parents in Paris, spent his childhood not in Peru, but in Europe. It was in Europe that he became fascinated with aviation, since that field was more prevalent there than it was in Latin America during Chávez's era. Some of Chávez's contemporary Latin American pilots included Mexico's Alberto Braniff and Argentina's Jorge Newbery.
Chávez climbed for an altitute level of 5,405 feet at Blackpool, England, one month before his death. His following act was a record setting, 409 feet flight on September 8, at the city of Issy, in his native France. Chávez used his Bleriot aircraft for these flights.
Soon after, Italy's Aero Club began to offer 20,000 dollars to the first person to fly a fixed-wing aircraft from Brigue to Milan. Whoever achieved the flight without dying before getting to Milan, would be the first person to fly over the Alps and survive. Chávez was one of a small number of pilots that accepted the challenge.
On September 19, Chávez attempted the flight, but he returned to Brigue because of adverse flying conditions. On September 23, he took off for the second time. He reportedly said the words, "Whatever happens, I shall be found on the other side of the Alps."
The runway that had been set up in Milan for this occasion was near an old railroad station. Many tourists had gathered to see Chávez landing, as Chávez had become a celebrity in Europe.
Chávez confronted problems with the air before crash-landing in Domodossola, in Italy. His crash was one of aviation's first famous air crashes. He did, however, survive for four days before dying of injuries suffered in the accident, technically making him the first person to fly over the Alps and survive. A memorial statue stands in the market square in Brigue.
Jorge Chávez also became an icon in Peru, where his fame grew after death. The Jorge Chávez International Airport(LIM/SPIM) in Lima is named after him. For many years, a life-sized replica of Chávez famous Blériot XI monoplane was on display at the air terminal.
His last words were: "Higher. Always higher."
Guided tour buses that pass through portions of Chavez route will play "El Condor Pasa" to pay homage to the fallen hero's heritage.
Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru was named in Chavez's honor.
