B/CA Show News - NBAA 2007 Day 1 - (Page 104) N B A A 2 0 07 Young Jamaican Flies Inspiration His airplane is named Inspiration, and his historic flight by a young Jamaican from inner-city Miami is intended to do just that—inspire other youngsters, despite their circumstances, to pursue fruitful careers in aviation. Barrington Antonio Irving is also the first African-American to fly solo around the world. Irving left from Miami for his Every now and then, someone like Barrington Antonio Irving comes dream route to New York, St. along; someone who inspires chil- John’s, Newfoundland and across dren of all ages to recognize their the Atlantic Ocean to the Azores self-worth and believe that dreams and Madrid. On April 13, he was in Rome doing things that Romans do, really can come true. Irving started living a very spe- such as exploring the Catacombs. cial dream on March 23, when he His arrival in Greece on April 16 departed Miami piloting a Colum- was a “challenge” due to weather; bia 400 single-engine piston aircraft he intended to catch up on sleep as named Inspiration. The flight plan he would be delayed by a massive may have declared only one soul on storm moving across Libya to board, but he insists he was “carry- northern Egypt. Dubai, Luxor, ing all the hearts of children with me on the aircraft” on an around-the-world-solo flight. The adventure wasn’t a stunt. Nor was it a recreation of an historic route or an attempt to break an aviation record and win big prize money. The Kingston, Jamaica-born 23-year-old— who from age six grew up in Irving’s Columbia 400, dubbed ‘Inspiration’. inner city Miami—had more bone-deep reasons. He wanted to Nagoya and Anchorage also were become the first African-American stops on the itinerary. The concept was born about two to fly solo around the world to and a half years ago when Irving inspire youth of similar circumsort of determined person who would accomplish whatever he set out to do. Robinson provided guidance on logistics of a flight that would be fraught with risks and advised him to set up a non-profit organization to raise money for food, clothing, lodging, fuel and—oh, yes—an airplane. In 2005, Irving founded Experience Aviation: Taking Youth to a Higher Plane and proceeded to knock on doors, make phone calls and give presentations, seeking support for his project. But for two years, Irving dealt with rejection after rejection from airplane manufacturers and lessors in the quest to acquire an aircraft at a discount price, according to Robinson. The airplane he wanted to fly, the Columbia 400, cost more than $600,000. “The manufacturer went as low as it could go,” says Robinson, “but the answer was still no-go.” Robinson says that at that point he and lesser mortals might have thought, “I’m dead in the water now.” But having no money or an airplane to fly didn’t stop Irving. This extraordinary person offered an extraordinary solution to Columbia. “If you give me the frame, the body, the tail and wings, and I get the tires, engine, avionics—all the pieces—and you build it, can we get the price down?” Barrington Antonio Irving. I want to fly myself. I want to be the youngest person and the first African-American to fly solo around the world! —Barrington Antonio Irving stances to believe they, too, could overcome limitations and pursue aviation careers. Since 2002, the senior, majoring in aerospace at Florida Memorial University, had been talking to church, school and community groups in South Florida. He’d even set up a learning center in Florida, a place where young people could learn about aerospace career opportunities. “This is what fuels me— having youth believe in what I can do, so they can also begin to believe in themselves,” he said. 104 told his mentor, United Airlines Captain Gary Robinson, “I want to fly around the world.” “That’s great,” Robinson replied, believing Irving wanted to explore the wonders of the world as a commercial passenger. “Just let me know when you’re ready.” “No. I want to fly myself. I want to be the youngest person and the first African-American to fly solo around the world!” “My eyes bugged out,” says Robinson. Circumnavigating the globe is a monumental task—but he also knew that Antonio is the Columbia Aircraft said yes. Irving signed sponsors such as Avidyne, Chevron, Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Hartzell, Jeppesen and NASA, and collected about $300,000 worth of components. And Columbia built the airplane, which Irving christened, what else? “Inspiration.” Prior to taking off on March 23, he noted in his blog: “I also encourage professionals to take or make the time for today’s youth. If it wasn’t for a United Airlines captain making the time to get me involved in aviation, I’m not sure I would be living this moment.” But it seems that dreaming impossible dreams comes easy to Irving, who realized that sweet dream of being the first AfricanAmerican to fly solo around the world. About 2,000 people were on hand at Florida’s Opa-Locka Airport on June 27 when Inspiration touched down. —Frances Fiorino Meet Captain Barrington with Universal This Afternoon You can meet history-making pilot Captain Barrington Antonio Irving at Universal Weather & Aviation’s Booth 7666 on Tuesday afternoon. He will be there to chat with fellow pilots about his round the world adventure and will also receive a check for $10,000 from Universal for his Barrington’s Experience Aviation Foundation. September 25, 2007 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews
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