Camilo Daza

First Colombian to pilot an airplane (1919); founder of Colombia's first aviation company; Brigadier General, Colombian Air Force

Camilo Daza earned a Curtiss pilot and mechanic diploma in 1920, training in both flying and the technical side of aviation at once. In 1922, he flew an aircraft named "Santander" over the city of Cúcuta, becoming recognized as the first Colombian to pilot an airplane. Rather than stop at being a pilot, he built an actual company around his flying: he founded the Compañía Nortesantandereana de Aviación, Colombia's first aviation company, organizing investors and building genuine early commercial aviation infrastructure in a country that had none. That combination — mechanic-trained, pilot-licensed, and willing to build the business structure around flying rather than just fly for others — is what earns him recognition as the founder of Colombian aviation rather than simply "a" pilot. He rose to Brigadier General in the Colombian Air Force over his career. Two of his sons became aviators as well, extending his aviation legacy directly into the next generation. Colombia's Camilo Daza International Airport, serving Cúcuta — the same city where he made his historic 1922 flight — is named in his honor.

As both a trained mechanic and a pilot, Daza combined hands-on technical aircraft knowledge with the organizational work of founding an actual aviation company — investors, operations, and infrastructure — rather than just flying solo demonstration flights.

Colombia's Camilo Daza International Airport in Cúcuta is named after him, the same city where he made his historic first flight.Two of his sons became aviators as well.

Wikipedia

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• Camilo Daza