Léon Letort

Léon Letort, (18 September 1889 – 10 December 1913) was a pioneer French aviator. He gained his pilot's license on 9 August 1910, flew his Blériot in exhibitions across France, and flew on military service in the Balkan Wars. In 1913 he set the world record for the greatest distance travelled non-stop, flying 590 mi in 8 hours. He died during an attempt to win a prize for long-distance flight when he crash-landed at Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire outside Bordeaux.

Early life
Letort was born on 18 September 1889 in Pire-sur-Seiche, Brittany, the youngest of four brothers and four sisters from a wealthy family in the textile business. He was educated in Rennes at the School of Brothers of Christian Instruction at Parc du Thabor and the College of St. Martin. His main interest was in mechanical things, so on leaving school aged 18 he started in the automotive and aviation industry.

Career
Letort worked for Louis Blériot and was awarded pilots licence No. 170 on 9 August 1910. He then completed his military service as an aviator/engineer (fr: sapeur).

On 15 April 1912, he participated in the Easter airshow at Parc des Gayeulles, Rennes, in the Blériot of Louis Kuhling.

After completing his military service, Letort participated in the Balkan Wars in 1912. It being one of the earliest conflicts where air power was used, Letort concentrated on developing his aircraft towards becoming a decisive weapon. After the war he returned to Blériot and was considered one of the safest pilots.

Flying exploits
On 13 July 1913 Letort flew from Paris to Berlin non-stop, covering 920 km in 9 hours, 47 minutes, breaking the world distance record for a non-stop flight. The Morane-Saulnier monoplane was powered by a Le Rhône 80 hp 7-cylinder rotary engine. On the return journey, started on 23 July, he carried a passenger, the Estonian aviator Ljuba Galantschikoff.

In an attempt to win the Coupe Pommery prize for long-distance flight, he flew 1,300 km from Paris to Danzig, stopping at Berlin, on 23 August 1913. However, he failed to win the prize, which was won by Guilleaux with a flight of 1386 km made the same day.

Death and commemoration
On 10 December 1913 Letort made an attempt to win the Aero Club of France Criterium prize for the longest return flight made during the year, flying a Maurice Farman biplane. After departing from Buc with the intention of flying to Bordeaux and back, he flew 650 mi until he had to make a forced landing at Barbezieux, during which the aircraft ran into a ditch and overturned. He died on arrival at hospital at Barbezieux. He was buried in Pire-sur-Seiche on 14 December 1913, attended by a large crowd of mourners.