Sky Giant

Colonel Stockton reaches retirement age and leaves the US military. He accepts a position at the Trans-World Air Lines School of Aeronautics in Glendale, California. Stag Cahill, his old friend and pilot, is tasked with flying Stockton to his new job.

Stockton asks Stag to join the school staff as his assistant, but Stag prefers to continue flying. Stockton then arranges for Stag, a reservist, to be recalled to active duty in his new role.

Stockton enforces strict military discipline at the civilian flying school, dismissing two trainee mechanics for being slow. Stag warns him that his harsh approach may be too severe for the students.

Stockton discovers his son Ken among the students, which displeases him as he prefers Ken to stay in diplomatic service. Ken, however, is determined to pursue aircraft design. The discovery highlights a rivalry between Ken and Stag for Meg Lawrence's affection.

Stag impulsively proposes to Meg Lawrence after only seeing her a few times, but she has already agreed to marry Ken. This adds tension between the characters amidst the ongoing conflicts.

Stag and fellow pilot Fergie Ferguson are assigned a dangerous mapping flight from California to Alaska, then to Russia. Stockton shows interest in accompanying Ken on this flight, hinting at favoritism.

Stag marries Meg in Yuma just hours before the expedition departs, opting to forego a honeymoon. The marriage creates an awkward atmosphere during the dangerous Arctic expedition.

During the flight, the aircraft's rudder jams, forcing an emergency Arctic landing. An attempt to take off again fails, causing the plane to flip over and injure Fergie, who breaks his legs.

The team devises a travois to carry Fergie on a 300-mile trek to safety. Fergie insists on being left behind as a burden, but Ken and Stag refuse and try to help him.

Fergie drags himself out of their tent to freeze to death, but eventually, exhaustion hampers their journey. Ken supports Stag after a near collapse, and they stumble upon a settlement, finally finding rescue.

Back at the school, Meg rushes into Ken’s arms, signaling the end of their rivalry. Witnessing this, Stag suggests that Meg should annul her marriage to Ken, acknowledging his sacrifices.