All Around the World:23 Year-Old Making History

Barrington Irving, a 23-year old senior (from Dade County 305 b/k/a Miami), majoring in aerospace at Florida Memorial University, is on a round the world flight that will make him the first person of African descent and the youngest person ever to fly solo around the globe.

The best part of the story is how Barrington built his plane that he calls "Inspiration".. He tried to get a plane donated for his trip and not one manufacturer would do it. Then his hustle kicked in.

"In 2003, Barrington began calling aircraft manufacturers with the unlikely request to borrow, lease, or donate a plane he could use to make aviation history. When no one said yes, he decided to ask manufacturers of the various components to donate just one of their individual products to him; he also asked Columbia, an aircraft manufacturer, whether they’d agree to assemble the plane if he could produce the parts.

During the next year, with support and guidance from Miami Executive Aviation, he visited aviation trade shows throughout the country and secured more than $300,000 in donated components—the engine, tires, cockpit systems, seats, and so forth—and Columbia built him the world’s fastest single-engine piston airplane, ready to be modified with extended fuel tanks a few weeks before the global flight. In addition, he received fuel support from Chevron that enabled him to train for the global flight and visit schools throughout the country."

He got it Done in a major way...And now he's halfway around the world. and it seems like there's a party every time he touches down. That must feel good to acomplish something big and then be able to celebrate all over the word. By the time he gets back he will be globally connected through fulfilling his dream.

The welcome party in Dubai

You can track the Barrington's flight course here.

Read his Blog here.