Audacious Brother Is Youngest, First Black To Go Solo Globally
(AP) A 23-year-old aerospace student who built his plane from more than $300,000 in donated parts took off hoping to become the youngest person and first black pilot to fly around the globe alone.
Barrington Irving planned to arrive back at Opa-locka Executive Airport on April 30 in his single-engine Lancair Columbia 400. He was set to fly last year, but a lack of funding delayed his $1 million project.
Today, Irving glided into Miami after a three-month journey he hopes will be an inspiration to inner-city kids.
A crowd of about 2000 people erupted in cheers as Barrington Irving landed at Miami's Opa Locka airport after flying a few low passes over the tarmac.
“I'm home,” a jubilant Mr Irving said.
“The flight was a long flight that challenged me mentally and physically,” he said. Mr Irving had initially hoped to complete his voyage in about one month, but took three times as long as he braved sandstorms, snowstorms and a tropical storm.
“I want to show them they can do more with their lives than resort to violence,” said Irving.
Irving was born in Jamaica and grew up in Miami. He said he saw little chance for success until he met a Jamaican-American pilot at his parents' Christian bookstore. The pilot, Gary Robinson, took Irving to see a Boeing 777.
The 15-year-old was mesmerized. He turned down college football scholarships to become a pilot. Irving is now studying at Florida Memorial University; he has private and commercial pilot licenses.
He also founded Experience Aviation, a Miami-based organization that encourages minority youths to pursue aviation careers.
"Even with the challenges, everything is starting to fall in place, " Irving said prior to launching his historical journey. "It's just my time."
We agree. Do yo' thang Black Man - Welcome Home!
He flew a single-engine Columbia 400, which he built with more than $US300,000 ($355,260) in donated components. The Jamaican-born aerospace student hopes the trip will be an inspiration to children in poor, urban neighbourhoods.
“I want to show them they can do more with their lives than resort to violence,” said Irving.Irving was born in Jamaica and grew up in Miami. He said he saw little chance for success until he met a Jamaican-American pilot at his parents' Christian bookstore. The pilot, Gary Robinson, took Irving to see a Boeing 777.
The 15-year-old was mesmerized. He turned down college football scholarships to become a pilot. Irving is now studying at Florida Memorial University; he has private and commercial pilot licenses.
He also founded Experience Aviation, a Miami-based organization that encourages minority youths to pursue aviation careers.
"Even with the challenges, everything is starting to fall in place, " Irving said prior to launching his historical journey. "It's just my time."
We agree. Do yo' thang Black Man - Welcome Home!