Alberto Santos Dumont is the black sheep of his wealthy family, a headstrong and reckless youth with his head in the clouds. As an adult, his ambitions lead him to Paris where he begins experimenting in balloon aviation, setting him on a path to become one of the most influential inventors of the modern era.

The Paris Aeroclub announces an air race around the Eiffel Tower, causing indignation among the poor and working class, but giving Alberto an opportunity to show off both his genius and generosity.