American Experience

S02E01 The Great Air Race of 1924

The inaugural global air race, backed by the Army Air Service to demonstrate the airplane's potential for commercial use, was a true trial for both pilots and their aircraft. Four aviators launched from Seattle in their single-engine, open-cockpit planes. After an arduous journey spanning 175 days, only two of the original pilots returned to Seattle, completing the remarkable challenge they had set out to conquer.