Thought To Be Youngest RTW Solo Pilot

He's home! Wednesday morning, 23-year-old pilot Barrington Irving completed his round-the-world flight, with a short hop from Orlando, FL down to Miami, where he started his flight three months before.

Irving circled the Opa-locka Airport, and performed a low pass before a cheering crowd. He then landed his Columbia 400, and taxied in as a marching band played nearby.

The Associated Press reports Irving's claim that he is the youngest pilot to cross the globe solo -- as well as the first of African descent to do so -- might be difficult to validate. Though neither claim is in dispute, per se, record-keeping authorities such as the National Aeronautic Association and Guinness do not track ethinicity or age when verifying records.

According to the website EarthRounders.com, 255 round-the-world flights have been made since 1929, including 82 solo endeavors. There have been younger pilots to make the trip, although all were accompanied by another person.

As ANN reported, Irving departed Opa-locka March 23 in his aircraft -- dubbed "Inspiration" -- on what was originally planned as a one-month trip. Weather constraints tripled the length of time it took Irving to cross the globe, however... although the extra time spent on the ground did give the young aviator a chance to learn more about the places he visited.

During an extended stopover in Newfoundland, Irving wrote in his online journal "Although I'm a week and a half behind my original pace I am certainly well rested. Patience is a virtue and I am taking this opportunity to learn about a different culture that has great citizens."

Above all, Irving says, his trip was about giving hope to people who come inner-city backgrounds, just as he did.

"I want to show them they can do more with their lives than resort to violence!" he wrote on his website. "Anything is possible. They said I was too young and had no money, but that hasn't stopped me."

Indeed. As proof of Irving's "can-do" nature, Barrington began calling aircraft manufacturers four years ago, asking them to borrow, lease, or donate a plane he could use to make aviation history. When no one manufacturer said yes, he decided to ask manufacturers of the various components instead, to donate individual products to him; he then asked Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing if they'd agree to assemble the plane if he could produce the parts.

The rest is history. Over the next year, Irving visited aviation trade shows throughout the country and secured more than $300,000 in donated components -- including the engine, tires, cockpit systems, and seats.

Columbia built his airplane -- ready for modification with ferry fuel tanks -- and Chevron kicked in the fuel while Irving trained for his trip.

FMI: www.experienceaviation.org