Captains of the Clouds

Brash, independent bush pilot whose seat-of-the-pants style clashes with rivals and military authority. He starts as a fiercest competitor to Dutton, then joins forces with him for survival and later enacts a personal code of risk and loyalty. He marries Emily to save Dutton's life, is court-martialed for flying too low, and ultimately sacrifices himself by crashing into a German fighter to save the others.

Ambitious bush pilot who dreams of starting his own airline and often takes a pragmatic, by-the-book approach. He reluctantly partners with MacLean, marries Emily to protect him, and later enlists in the Royal Canadian Air Force after giving his savings to charity. He eventually commands a small flight and remains a steady, loyal figure amid wartime upheaval.

A brash but capable bush pilot and friend to the core group. He provides camaraderie and daring during early missions, but his bravado leads to tragedy when he blacks out during a dive and dies in a crash.

British expatriate bush pilot and navigator whose wit hides a tough, capable presence. He becomes entangled in the pilots' rivalry and ultimately dies during the final confrontations, leaving a mark on the group.

Another rugged bush pilot among the circle, who faces danger in the air and alongside his peers as they navigate pre-war assignments and the perilous Atlantic crossing.

Dutton's girlfriend and the moral heart of the story, who becomes MacLean's wife to save Dutton's life. Her decisions reverberate through the pilots' relationships, testing loyalties and shaping the wartime choices of those around her.

The doctor from Churchtown who treats emergencies and represents the civil-world edge of the pilots' perilous life, bridging the gap between frontier aviation and ordinary society.

A renowned First World War ace making a cameo as himself during the graduation ceremony, lending historical gravitas to the pilots' transition to war.

Emily's father and the local storekeeper, whose presence anchors the pilots in a small-town world even as they soar toward global conflict.

The senior officer overseeing the training plan, representing the formal military structure the pilots must navigate as they transition from civilian life to air force instructors.