Aviation can save the lives of our children who have lost hope.

This March Barrington Irving, a 23-year-old Florida Memorial University aerospace major, will attempt a record-breaking around-the-world-flight with the underlying mission of introducing less-fortunate children to the excitement and possibilities of aviation.

The flight will make Barrington the first Jamaican, the first African American, and the youngest person to take on this demanding aeronautic challenge. But for Barrington, founder of Experience Aviation, a nonprofit youth-based initiative in South Florida, sharing the story of hope and achievements through aviation with children around the globe will be his greatest accomplishment.

Barrington was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but his family moved to inner-city Miami when he was six. He escaped the reality of violence and drugs by finding his way off the streets through aviation, and with the help of an encouraging pilot his aviation interests and abilities evolved from plane washer to record breaker.

Now, just like that pilot did for him years ago, Barrington wants to help young people understand that they too have alternatives and hope for a better future. Barrington knows that his endurance, courage, and training will be tested during his grueling four-five week adventure aboard his literally makeshift Columbia 400, but he also knows that he’s up to the test.

“In the beginning I could not find anyone who would donate an aircraft. After getting turned down by almost everyone I eventually approached the representatives from Columbia at Oshkosh and asked them if they would build me an aircraft—I would find the parts. Once they agreed it was only a matter of finding sponsors, which also took forever.

After two and a half years of searching, Continental Motors made a donation, and from there it snowballed.” In addition to Continental Motors the Experience Aviation sponsors now include Miami Executive Aviation, Chevron, Avidyne, Universal Weather, and Microsoft (whokept Irving flying by computer screen when he couldn’t afford the $100-per-hour training fees.)

Barrington wants young people everywhere to know that someone cares about them and they can have a better future. “Aviation can save the lives of our children who have lost hope. I want to do my part this whole process,” he emphasizes. “If this flight can serve as a shining light, a beacon of hope illuminating the children’s world, then my mission is accomplished.”

To learn more about Experience Aviation, contribute to the success of the mission, follow Barrington’s progress, or schedule Barrington as a motivational speaker, please visit Experienceaviation.org or call 305.685.1515.

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