After reaching the age of retirement, Colonel Cornelius Stockton (/actor/harry-carey) finds himself compelled to leave his military service and take on a new role as the head of the Trans-World Air Lines School of Aeronautics in Glendale, California. His transition from a military officer to an educator introduces a new chapter in his life, one filled with both challenges and opportunities. On his journey to Glendale, he is accompanied by his old war friend, "Stag" Cahill (/actor/richard-dix), who is a seasoned pilot. While Cahill prefers the freedom of flying, Stockton clearly envisions him taking on a more administrative role, eventually commanding him to return to active duty as his assistant at the school.
The story delves into Stockton’s strict approach to running the civilian aviation school, emphasizing discipline and rigorous standards. He enforces discipline by dismissing two trainee mechanics on the spot for being too slow, demonstrating his intolerance for complacency. Despite Cahill’s warnings that the rigorous pace might be too harsh, Stockton remains firm in his methods. During an inspection, Stockton becomes especially displeased when he sees his own son, Ken (/actor/chester-morris), among the students. Stockton prefers Ken to remain in the diplomatic service, but Ken is determined to pursue his passion for aircraft design, setting the stage for familial friction and tension.
A subplot develops around the romantic interests of the characters, notably Meg Lawrence (/actor/joan-fontaine), who is a cousin to fellow pilot and friend "Fergie" Ferguson (/actor/paul-guilfoyle). Stag quickly becomes infatuated with Meg and impulsively proposes marriage, only to discover that she has already accepted Ken's proposal. This unfulfilled romance adds emotional depth to the story.
Meanwhile, a significant part of the narrative revolves around an ambitious and daring mapping expedition. Fergie and Stag are assigned to a perilous flight from California across Alaska, Russia, and ultimately to Arctic regions—a mission that carries substantial risks. Stockton, with his characteristic insistence, visits the team and subtly indicates a desire for Ken to join the expedition, hinting at a bond that goes beyond duty.
Tensions escalate when Ken and Meg’s relationship deteriorates over Ken’s obsession with flying, leading Meg to break off their engagement. Hearing this, Stag proposes once more, and Meg, sensing sincerity, agrees to marry him, believing this will be his last flight. Their wedding takes place hastily in Yuma, just before they set off on the mapping expedition without a honeymoon, adding a sense of urgency to their union.
The flight quickly turns dangerous when their aircraft encounters mechanical failures, including a jammed rudder that forces an emergency landing in the Arctic wilderness. Their attempt to take off again is thwarted when the landing gear fails, flipping the plane over and injuring Fergie, whose legs are broken. The surviving crew faces the daunting task of traversing the icy wilderness with Fergie on a makeshift travois for 300 miles to reach safety. Fergie, suffering in pain and fearing for his life, insists they leave him behind, but Ken and Stag refuse, determined to save their friend.
As exhaustion takes hold, Fergie secretly leaves the group to avoid freezing, risking his life. Stag, overwhelmed by fatigue, nearly gives up but is reminded of a moment when he defended Ken against his father. Inspired by this, Ken supports Stag, and together they press onward. Their perseverance pays off when they stumble upon a settlement, bringing relief and hope for rescue.
On returning to the school, Meg eagerly runs into Ken’s arms, but the aftermath of the complicated relationships becomes clear. Witnessing Meg’s happiness, Stag recognizes the unbridgeable gap and advises her to seek an annulment of their marriage, acknowledging the sacrifices and misunderstandings they have endured together.
This story is a testament to the courage, resilience, and complex emotions that define the characters’ lives as they navigate love, duty, and danger amidst the high-stakes world of early aviation.
