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Jul 19, 2008 9:07 am US/Eastern

In Order To Soar, One Must Learn To Fly

Barrington Irving Inspires Young People To Identify And Pursue Their Dreams Through Aviation

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Some South Florida students have been given a high-flying challenge: build up their grades and get their chance at earning their wings at building an airplane fit to fly for the man who made history as the youngest person ever and first pilot of African descent to fly solo around the world.

Barrington Irving, 24, said he came up with what he named the "build and soar" program during those long hours of flying.

"We keep pushing them and pushing them and pushing them so they can see what they have inside of them," Irving explained.

A few months ago, Julio Belizaire wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life. Now, he's thinking about a degree in avionics. One can find him under the fuselage at Miami Executive Aviation.

"God just made miracles happen by opening big doors for me." Julio is one of 60 students, many of whom had never been around an airplane before, and now they are building one.

Today, the wings are going on. "Are you sure it's on properly; it better be," said Irving to the students. When the plane is finished, he will fly it.

In June 2007, Irving departed South Florida i n a single-engine plane called "Inspiration"; he embarked on a 26,800-mile, round-the-world flight which took nearly three months.

Instructors in the program were skeptical of the idea, but later were proved wrong.

"All you have to do is just guide them, show them and they're ready to start," said Nilda Nijborg-Garcia.

The plane – named "Inspiration II" - should be ready to fly by October 1st.

In only its first year, the program has been so successful that Irving needs more space to accommodate students whom he has been turning away.

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