on Tuesday highlighted the heroic feat of Jorge Chavez Dartnell, noting that his legacy of courage and resilience serves as an inspiration to all those entrusted with flying the Peruvian skies.
"On Peruvian National Aviation Day, we pay tribute to the heroic feat of aviator Jorge Chavez, whose legacy of courage and resilience inspires all those entrusted with flying the Peruvian skies," it stated.
Likewise,
the Ministry of Defense echoed the tribute on the occasion of this day, recalling that the national hero crossed the Alps in 1910, leaving a mark on aviation history.
National Aviation Day
Today, September 23, National Aviation Day is celebrated in commemoration of the feat by Peruvian aviator Jorge Chavez Dartnell, who crossed the Alps piloting his Bleriot aircraft 115 years ago, becoming one of the most important pioneers of global aviation and a hero of our nation.
Jorge Chavez Dartnell was born in Paris, France, on January 13, 1887. His parents were Peruvian.
From a very young age, he was drawn to speed and excelled as an athlete. Chavez Dartnell graduated as an engineer at the age of 21 from the Parisian school "Violet."
The aviator participated in several air competitions and stood out in many of them.
He broke the world altitude record twice, surpassing his own previous achievement; on the last occasion, he reached 2,652 meters. This foreshadowed his greatest project: the traverse of the Alps.
In September 1910, he took part in a new competition that involved flying over the Swiss Alps and landing in Italy.
The takeoff of his monoplane was perfect, and he reached the Domodossola valley, Italy.
He accomplished the feat. However, just as he was about to land, the wings of his aircraft detached, and he crashed to the ground.