Scope Note:

Fictional work centering on both military and civilian characters who have an overriding love of flying, with an ardent dedication to such tasks as the air mail, test flying, or airplane racing. Flying becomes the guiding force in all aspects of their career and personal life, even at the cost of loss of romantic love, or probable death in a plane crash. Pilots often share a unique combination of rivalry and respect, and one or more of their number is usually killed during the narrative, bringing about a reawakening to new values in a fellow flyer's life. Feature examples: AIR MAIL; FLIGHT FOR FREEDOM (with Women); GOD IS MY CO-PILOT (with War; Adaptation); THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER; NO HIGHWAY IN THE SKY; ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS; THE TARNISHED ANGELS (with Romance); TEST PILOT; THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES (with Comedy). Serial examples: THE AIRMAIL MYSTERY; CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT; THE MYSTERIOUS PILOT; TAILSPIN TOMMY. TV examples: BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP (with War); PIECE OF CAKE (with War; Adaptation); RIPCORD; TUSKEGEE AIRMEN (with War).

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