THE SKY RHAPSODY - Vol. 1 Uncle Mechano

Inspired by Rupert, a deceased star pilot, fourteen-year-old Natalia dreams of adventure in the skies and has one great ambition: to become a female pilot — something her father neither appreciates nor approves of. After clashing with her father, Natalia embarks on an impulsive journey to visit her uncle, who lives in Himmelslautern: Alfred, Rupert's former colleague, a mechanical genius by his own account, who lost contact with his family long ago.

Unlike the other residents of the town, Alfred leads an isolated life. The owner of a second-hand shop, he lives deep in the forest and sells aircraft spare parts and repurposed functional objects, such as a mobile bathtub. Alfred rarely ventures into town and has little inclination to mix with people, except to visit Steve, an elderly petrol station owner. Natalia wants to know why, but Alfred refuses to broach the subject.

Every four years, the snowy mountain town of Himmelslautern hosts an international ski-flying competition, and this year there will be one. Natalia is tremendously enthusiastic and wants to attend. She tries to persuade her uncle to take part, but he refuses once again. Natalia wonders about his reasons… Why does her uncle avoid other people? What happened to him in the past? She is determined to find out.