Game Information | FFVII Character Compendium
Cid Highwind

From the Manual:

Job: Pilot
Age: 32
Weapon: Spear
Height: 5'8"
Birthdate: February 22
Birthplace: Unknown
Blood Type: B

Cid is a tough-talking, warm-hearted old pilot who hasn't forgotten his dreams. There's no better pilot by air or sea. He believes that someday he'll be the first man in space. With his handmade spear and knowledge of machinery, he throws himself into any attack regardless of the danger.

From the Game:

At one time, Cid Highwind was a pilot working for Shinra, and the captain of a long-range airship named after him, the Highwind. Somewhere along the way, he got involved with Shinra's Space Program, and was slated to be the world's very first astronaut. Unfortunately, his dream of flying in outer space was shattered on the day that the rocket, the Shinra No. 26, was to launch. During the countdown, Shera was conducting a last minute inspection of one of the rocket's oxygen tanks, believing that there was something wrong with it. Knowing that she wouldn't survive the blast-off, Cid aborted the launch at the last minute. The launch was cancelled, and the entire Space Program was trimmed back by the Shinra.

When Cloud and his party arrive in Rocket Town—home of Cid, Shera, and all of those who worked on the Shinra No. 26—they find Cid impatiently awaiting the arrival of Rufus Shinra, in the hopes that the new president will pour money back into the Space Program. Not long after he learns that Rufus merely wants to borrow his plane, the Tiny Bronco, he decides to join Cloud's party on their quest.

Much later on, Cid helps to rescue Tifa and Barret from the Shinra's clutches in Junon, stealing back his beloved airship in the process. Now joining the party on their quest to save the Planet were the Highwind's crew, who all idolize Cid. Not long after, once Tifa is left behind in Mideel to look after a Mako-poisoned Cloud, Cid is made the party's leader, and carries out the Huge Materia retrieval mission in Corel in this role. He cedes leadership to Cloud once again afterwards, but not before helping to fight Ultima Weapon in Mideel.

Once all the Huge Materia are gathered, the Shinra make their way to Rocket Town, with the goal of launching the Shinra No. 26 into the oncoming Meteor. Cid, Cloud, and another party member manage to force their way into the Shinra No. 26, but find themselves trapped aboard as it takes off. Cid calmly checks the control panel and, seeing that the rocket's auto-pilot has been locked, deciphers the lock code on the rocket's escape pod. He and Cloud retrieve the Huge Materia, then they all make their way to the escape pod. Along the way, one of the oxygen tanks explodes, and Cid becomes trapped under a large piece of debris. It is then that he realizes that Shera had been right about the malfunctioning oxygen tank. Just when Cid believes all is lost, Shera appears to help the others free him, and together, the four of them board the escape pod. Cid gazes out at the stars, and bids farewell to the Shinra No. 26.

Compilation Appearances:

Cid can be seen in Advent Children and Dirge of Cerberus commandeering an airship named Shera; in DC, we learn that it was named after his wife! He also appears in Before Crisis and the short story "Barret".