Jorge Chávez Facts for Kids

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Chávez and the second or maternal family name is Dartnell.

Quick facts for kids Jorge Chávez
Chávez from his Bleriot XI, 1910
Born	January 13, 1887 (1887-06-13) Paris, French Third Republic
Died	September 27, 1910 (1910-09-28) (aged 23) Domodossola, Kingdom of Italy
Nationality	Peruvian
Occupation	Aviator
Parent(s)	Manuel Chávez Moreyra María Rosa Dartnell y Guisse

Jorge Antonio Chávez Dartnell (born January 13, 1887 – died September 27, 1910) was a brave Peruvian aviator. He was also known as Géo Chávez. Even at a young age, he became famous for his amazing flights.

Jorge Chávez died in 1910. This happened after strong winds damaged his airplane, a Bleriot XI. He was landing after making the very first flight across the Pennine Alps. His plane fell from about 20 meters (65 feet) high.

Early Life of Jorge Chávez
Chávez's Flying Career
His Final Flight and Death
Jorge Chávez's Legacy
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Early Life of Jorge Chávez

Jorge Chávez Dartnell was born in Paris, France. His parents, Manuel Chávez Moreyra and María Rosa Dartnell y Guisse, were from Peru.

He went to the Violet School. He finished his studies there in 1908. He earned an engineer's degree.

Chávez's Flying Career

Chávez went to a special flying school. It was started by Henry and Maurice Farman. He got his pilot license there. His very first flight was in Reims, France, on February 28, 1910.

After that, he joined many flying contests. These events took place across France and other parts of Europe. On August 8, 1910, he flew a Blériot monoplane to Blackpool, England. He became very famous when he reached a height of 5,405 feet (1,647 meters). He flew even higher on September 6. He reached 8,700 feet (2,652 meters) over Issy, France.

His Final Flight and Death

After his successful flights, Chávez decided to try something new. He wanted to be the first person to fly across the Pennine Alps. This was a big challenge. The Aero Club of Italy offered a prize of $20,000. This was a lot of money for the first pilot to complete the trip alive.

There were many delays because of bad weather. Finally, he took off from Ried-Brig, Switzerland, on September 23, 1910. He flew through the Simplon Pass. Before he left, he famously said, "Whatever happens, I shall be found on the other side of the Alps."

Fifty-one minutes later, he reached his goal. He arrived at Domodossola, Italy. But his plane crashed when he landed. People believe the plane was already damaged. It might not have been fixed well. This caused it to break apart in the strong mountain winds.

Chávez was badly hurt but still awake. He was taken to San Biaggio Hospital in Domodossola. There, he was officially named the winner of the competition. He received many messages from all over the world, congratulating him. The president of the Aero Club of Italy also visited him. He gave one last interview to his friend, journalist Luigi Barzini. He told him all about his flight.

Jorge Chávez died four days later. He lost a lot of blood. His friend and fellow aviator Juan Bielovucic said Chávez's last words were, "Higher. Always higher."

Jorge Chávez's Legacy

Jorge Chávez's death shocked the world of aviation. Brig and Domodossola, where his last flight started and ended, built monuments to him.

In Peru, Chávez became a hero for aviation. The Air Force looks up to him. His body was first buried in France. But in 1957, it was brought back to Peru. He now rests at the Officer's School of the Peruvian Air Force in Las Palmas.

The International Airport of Lima was opened in 1960. It is named after him. A full-size copy of his famous Blériot XI monoplane is on display there.

Chávez flew mostly in France. He used French-made planes. He was very popular in France. So, the city of Paris named a street after him. It is in the 20th area of Paris.

He also appears as a character in the novel G. by John Berger. This book won the Booker Prize in 1972. It talks about his tragic flight over the Alps.