The honor of being the first Black pilot to fly solo around the world goes to Barrington Irving, a Jamaican-born, U.S.-raised aviator.
Who is Barrington Irving?
- Full name: Barrington Antonio Irving Jr.
- Born: November 11, 1983, Kingston, Jamaica.
- Raised: Miami, Florida, USA.
- Background: Grew up in a working-class immigrant family; inspired to fly at 15 after meeting a pilot.
Record-Breaking Flight
- Achievement: First Black pilot and youngest person (at the time) to fly solo around the world.
- Date: March 23 – June 27, 2007.
- Aircraft: A single-engine Columbia 400 (Cessna), which he named “Inspiration.”
- Route: 97 days, covering 30,000 miles with stops in 27 cities, 13 countries, and 3 continents.
Legacy
- Founded the Experience Aviation nonprofit, encouraging youth in STEM and aviation.
- Became a motivational speaker, university professor, and advocate for minority representation in aerospace.
- Continues to inspire young people worldwide by showing that with determination, you can overcome financial, racial, and social barriers.
