Around the World in Ten Days

Four young aviators design and build the Sky-Bird II to enter an ambitious around-the-world air derby, confronting technical setbacks, sabotage, and rival pilots as they test and refine their revolutionary aircraft. Their voyage follows a near-equatorial route across oceans and continents, encountering perilous Atlantic and Pacific crossings, mechanical emergencies, jungle and volcanic hazards, aerial skirmishes and daring rescues. Interwoven with the action are detailed descriptions of airplane design, testing, and speculative aeronautical ideas, blending youthful adventure with technical imagination as the team strives to complete the ten-day circuit and demonstrate that seemingly impossible aviation feats can be achieved.