Flying Home is one of a few short stories by the renowned author Ralph Ellison. The narrative tells the story of a young African American air force candidate named Todd. The story is set in the time of the Second World War, a time when African Americans did not enjoy the same rights as whites. Todd has worked hard all his life to earn a chance to prove that an African American could fly a combat plane the same as any white militant. Todd is the first-ever black candidate to be accepted into the air force.
The story commences with Todd’s first test flight in Flight Training School in Macon County, Alabama. He feels overexcited and nervous at the same time which prompts him to crash the plane on a nearby farm. In the height of his excitement and eagerness to prove himself, Todd went too fast, stalling the plane which made him lose control, and before he could regain it, he hit a bird that broke the windshield and led to his crash.
A black farmer, Jefferson, and his son, Teddy, rush to rescue the disoriented pilot. Jefferson works for a white landowner, Dabny Graves, who is not very fond of black individuals. Jefferson asks his son to get Dabny while he helps Todd off the plane. Todd has a broken ankle but feels no pain, in his mind, he despairs over his mistake. His mistake will cost many African Americans jobs and respect. Todd is convinced that his incompetence will be the basis of characterization for all African Americans who wish to join the air force, he has failed. His mind drifts off, and he recalls a letter he had received from his girlfriend back home warning of his need for approval from the whites which clouds his judgment.
Jefferson could see he was hurting and not just in his ankle, so he tried to distract Todd with meaningless stories. Jefferson goes on about a story of a black angel who was cast out of heaven for shining too brightly, Todd feels offended by the story. Here was a stereotype of a poor, uneducated African American who is making fun of his situation but before he could react, Todd loses consciousness. He remembers his younger self, a young boy who was so excited with planes and dreamed of nothing else that to fly one. A few minutes later he wakes up and finds the genuinely concerned Jefferson, Todd feels guilty for judging the old man. The two have a brief conversation about the oppression of their race and Todd loses consciousness again.
When he revives next, he finds Dabny making fun of him. Dabny has brought a straitjacket meant for his cousin and tries to put it on the injured pilot. Todd pushes him away which prompts Dabny to kick his chest. As he lay on the ground, Tod realizes that the two people he had first despised and judged are his only friends.
