Manuel Chávez Moreyra María Rosa Dartnell y Guisse
Jorge Antonio Chávez Dartnell (January 13, 1887 – September 27, 1910), also known as Géo Chávez, was a
Bleriot XI, falling from a twenty meter height upon landing, after achieving the first air crossing of the Pennine Alps
.
Early life
Jorge Chávez Dartnell was born in Paris, France to Peruvian parents Manuel Chávez Moreyra and María Rosa Dartnell y Guisse. He studied at the Violet School from where he graduated with an engineer's degree in 1908.[1]
Career
Chávez attended the school of aviation established by
Henry and Maurice Farman where he got his pilot license and undertook his first flight in Reims on February 28, 1910.[2] Afterwards he participated in several aviation competitions throughout France and other European countries. On August 8 of the same year he took a Blériotmonoplane to Blackpool, England where he achieved fame after attaining an altitude of 1,647 meters (5,405 ft).[3] He improved his mark by flying at 2,700 meters (8,700 ft) over the city of Issy, France on September 6.[4]
Death
After this successful series, Chávez decided to undertake the first air crossing of the
Aero Club of Italy and gave one last interview to his friend the journalist Luigi Barzini, telling all the details of his flight.[8] He died four days later of massive blood loss.[9] His last words were, "Higher. Always higher." according to the testimony of his friend and fellow aviator Juan Bielovucic.[10]
Legacy
The death of Jorge Chávez caused great commotion in the aviation world. Brig and Domodossola, the start and end points of his last flight, dedicated monuments to the lost aviator. In Peru, Chávez became an icon for aviation related institutions such as the
monoplane is still on display at the air terminal.
As Chavez did most of his flying career in France with French made aeroplanes and Chavez was very popular in France at the time, the city of Paris named a street after him in the 20th Borough (20° arrondissement) of Paris.
He appears as a character in scenes drawing upon his real-life tragic flight over the Alps in John Berger's novel G. (1972), awarded the Booker Prize in 1972.
Gallery
Monument to Jorge Chávez in Lima, Perú
Memorial to Jorge Chávez in the market square of Brig