Silvio Pettirossi

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Silvio Pettirossi (June 16, 1887-October 17, 1916) was a Paraguayan airplane pilot and aviation pioneer.

Born in Asunción, as a young man he moved to Buenos Aires. There he contacted the aviator Jorge Newbery, who taught him to fly.

Pettirossi received a scholarship given by the Paraguayan government, and in 1912 moved to France where he obtained the title of aviator pilot of the international aeronautic federation. Once he had received the title, he made many important flights, setting a record eight-hour flight. He made famous and extraordinary acrobatic flights in Europe and South America.

In December 1914 he founded the "Aeroclub del Paraguay" and was named its president.

On October 17, 1916 while doing an inverted loop, the plane’s left wing broke and the aircraft was precipitated to the ground. Pettirossi died instantaneously, near the province of Buenos Aires.

Asunción's Silvio Pettirossi International Airport is named after him.