Jun 27, 2007 6:14 pm US/Eastern
Young Pilot Lands After Solo Trip Around The World
Barrington Flew Nearly 27,000 Miles
Trip Took 97 Days
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OPA-LOCKA (CBS4) ―
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Barrington Irving touches down at Opa-Locka Airport after his 95 day solo flight around the world
CBS
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Barrington Irving, a 23-year-old Florida student, is completing a round-the-world flight which has taken three months
Experience Aviation
A 23-year-old pilot in a single-engine plane has finished his three-month trip to become what he says is the youngest person to fly around the world alone.
Before landing at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Barrington Irving circled the Opa-Locka airport and flew low along the runway for the crowd. A marching band played on the taxiway as fans cheered.
He left Orlando earlier Wednesday morning for the short flight back to the Miami area he left March 23rd.
He claims to be the youngest pilot and first African-American to complete the journey alone, though it's not clear how those potential records will be validated.
The National Aeronautic Association, the aviation record-keeping authority in the U.S., does not track pilots' age, sex or ethnicity.
After landing, Irving spoke to hundreds of people watching his historic journey. With applause interrupting almost every sentence, he opened up to say, "I'm home". When the crowd quieted, he added "I want to give you all my gratitude." It really challenged me mentally and physically, but God kept me alive and well. I'm proud to be born in Jamaica, and proud to have the opportunity to live my dream in Miami."
Irving, 23, moved to Miami Gardens from Jamaica when he was 6. He said he wanted to show children in the inner city they could accomplish anything they set out to do.
He originally planned to complete the trip in 37 days but it took him 97 days. Sandstorms, thunderstorms, limited sleep and days of fasting didn't stop Barrington from completing his nearly 27,000 mile journey.
"I was just blessed with the opportunity that from a recording standpoint it wasn't done and I just went after it and it made things more appealing to young students," Barrington told reporters during an afternoon news conference
Inspiring students was Barrington's goal when he decided to travel the world in a single engine airplane.
"The next person that will land on the moon is in the 5th to 8th grade, the first person to land on mars is in the 3rd to 4th grade so who knows this flight might have inspired someone to do that," said Barrington.
It appears Barrington has achieved his goal.
CBS4'S Jade Alexander spoke to 11-year old Kevin Small after he watched Barrington's landing. "I want to be a pilot myself because it looks like fun because he can do tricks and fly around the world."
Student pilot Basil Hamilton was also inspired. "It's been so hard for minority pilots over the years and now we see that we can go beyond the expectations of everyone, we can do anything."
The Irvings are a close, spiritual family. His mom and dad are completely supportive of their son's ambition.
"They would rather have me trying to do something positive and try to live my dream than end up doing the wrong thing on the streets," said Barrington.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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