Carmela Combe

Carmela Combe Thomson (1898 – 10 May 1984) was the first Peruvian woman aviator and the second Peruvian to obtain a driver's license.

Biography Carmela Combe was precocious in regard to vehicles, learning to drive a car at age 14. In 1920, she began her apprenticeship as an aviator at the National Aeronautics Company of Lima, a school belonging to the Curtiss Aeroplane Company, which had its airfield in Bellavista District. In addition to flying, she had a passion for auto racing, competing in both cars and motorcycles.

Her aviation career was very short. On 9 July, after transporting money to pay the wages of farm workers in San Vicente de Cañete, she had to make an emergency landing in Chorrillos due to an engine breakdown. The incident was reported by El Comercio as "Pilot Moore and Miss Carmela Combe fall from high altitude. The passengers were unharmed." Combe did not give up, and in 1922 she obtained her pilot's license from Elmer J. Faucett, founder of the airline Faucett Perú. She traveled to France, where she married Julio Bardi, and was able to fly alongside the famous pilot . In 1932, she retired from aviation. Twenty-two years later, on 27 September 1982, the Ministry of Aeronautics presented her with the Jorge Chávez Dartnell merit medal for her contribution to the development of civil aviation.

Carmela Combe died on 10 May 1984 after a long illness.