One of the most significant pioneer aviators anywhere in the world was Alberto Santos-Dumont.  Alberto was born in Brazil and at age 17, he was sent to France to receive a technical education. It is at this time that he became fascinated with the subject of aeronautics. In 1898, he made a successful ascent over Paris in the first of many lighter-than-air ships of his own design.

Alberto Santos-Dumont at the controls.

In 1901 he captured the much sought after Deutsch Prize for an extended flight over a specified course. Typical of his concern for the less fortunate, he distributed the 100,000 francs prize among laborers and the poor. His interests eventually turned to heavier-than-air flight, and on November 2nd 1906, flying the 352-pound "14-BIS," an aircraft of his own design with a 40-horsepower motor, he made the first successful powered flight in Europe. This was also the first known use of a wheeled undercarriage on aircraft. A relentless experimenter, he produced a number of successful new aircraft designs, the best known of which was the Demoiselle, the world's first true sports plane, produced in 1909. Among his more advanced concepts was a true delta wing some 40 years before its use became common. Serious injury in an aircraft accident in 1910 ended his flying career, but he continued throughout the rest of his life to promote the cause of aviation.

Santos Dumont and his 14bis in 1906

Jorge Newbery was an Argentinian aviation pioneer, who set records in both balloons and aircraft. After meeting Albert Santos-Dumont, he was inspired to take to the air.  In 1909 he set the South American record for flight duration and distance in a balloon by flying over 340 miles in 13 hours.  He then turned his attention to aircraft, and broke distance and altitude records before his death in 1914 in an aircraft accident. 

Jorge Newbery (left) and his Morane-Saulnier monoplane.

Born in France to Peruvian parents, Jorge Chávez Dartnell learned to fly at the Farman School of Flight. Once he earned his pilot's license, he quickly earned the reputation as daring aviator. In September of 1910, he became the first person to fly across the Alps. Unfortunately, he crashed upon completion of his trip and died 4 days later.  His last words are reputed to be, "Higher, always higher."  Peru's most significant airport is named after him. 

Although he only flew for a short time, Jorge Chávez made a significant impact on aviation.

Miguel Garcia Granados was a Guatemalan pilot that flew flew from Guatemala City, Guatemala to Washington DC,  in August 1929.  Granados, Chief of the Guatemalan Air Service, covered the distance of almost 3,000 miles in a Ryan Brougham.

Granados (second from right) stands in front of his San Diego built Ryan Brougham. 

The first Brazilian woman to receive a pilot's license was Thereza Di Marzo, which she earned in 1922.  After that, she operated a flight school with her soon to be husband, Fritz Roesler.

Thereza Di Marzo was one of the few women pilots in South America in the 1920s.

The first person to fly over the Andes was Dagoberto Godoy, a Chilean, who learned to fly in 1915. In 1918, Godoy used a Bristol M.1c to make the flight over the Andes, flying from Chile to Argentina. To achieve this, Godoy reached an altitude of over 20,000 feet, without the use of oxygen in an open cockpit. He became a national hero for this fete.

Dagoberto Godoy during a parade held in his honor after crossing the Andes.

Ada Rogato was a Brazilian aviator that broke multiple records and attained many "firsts".  Born in Brazil in 1910, at the age of 25 she became the first South American woman licensed glider pilot. A year later she became the third female licensed airplane pilot in Brazil. Shortly thereafter, she was the first woman in Brazil to earn her paratrooper's license.  Although she set many records, her most impressive one was when over a 6 month period she flew over 51,000 miles and breaking the record for the longest solo flight. 

When Ada Rogato died in 1986, the country mourned her as a national hero. 

Next page in this exhibit.