Dave Dashaway, Air Champion; Or, Wizard Work in the Clouds

Dave is a teenage prodigy whose life revolves around the roar of engines and the thrill of the open sky. While he rests in the quiet shade of a hangar tree, his friend Hiram bursts in with news of a Grand International Aviation Contest that promises ten thousand dollars and a series of daring tests—speed, altitude, and elaborate stunts. The prize is tempting, but the real lure for Dave is the chance to prove the worth of his latest creation, the sleek Ariel biplane, against the world’s best pilots.

As the two boys discuss the competition, they recognize that the field is crowded with jealous rivals and cunning schemers who will stop at nothing to block a newcomer’s success. Hiram, ever the schemer himself, hints at a secret advantage hidden in a bundle of canvas bags, suggesting a clever twist that could tip the balance. With ambition, friendship, and a touch of mystery in the air, Dave prepares to launch into a high‑stakes race that will test his skill, courage, and the limits of early aviation.