Seventeen-year-old Frances Finkel works as a mechanic in her father's maintenance shop at Seal Rock Airport, Oregon. The aviation business in the 1940s is booming, and Fran is eager to go out into the world to prove herself as a pilot. When she's flying across the skies, she knows it's where she belongs. But her mother left after Fran's twin brother died, so she's held back by the additional responsibilities of running the household and caring for her younger brother.

Frustrated with her situation, Fran flies out to the wilderness to be alone and winds up rescuing an injured pigeon that she trains to deliver messages. Shortly after her act of kindness, Fran's chance encounter with a stranded pilot in need propels her onto a journey leading to adventures in aviation, new friendships, romance, love, loss, and finding her mother.