To mark Barrington Irving’s historic flight, the House of Representatives passed a resolution on December 11, 2007, honoring Irving as the first black and youngest pilot to fly solo around the world, and encouraging underrepresented groups to pursue aviation careers. Representatives Hastings and Meek introduced H. Res. 661 with nine other original cosponsors.  The bill passed with 44 bi-partisan cosponsors.

Irving departed from Opa Locka Executive Airport in Opa Locka, Florida on March 23, 2007 and returned on June 27, 2007.  His 24,600-mile flight took him to 27 cities around the world where he met with youth as an ambassador of opportunities in aviation. 

 "Barrington Irving is one of the greatest young heroes of our time," remarked Representative Hastings.  "His triumph demonstrates that if you reach for the sky, you truly can make it, and in turn, make history.  The passage of this resolution is one of many initiatives to come that will reprioritize opportunities in aviation for our youth."

"When the younger generation is looking for a role model and hero, they need to look no further than Barrington Irving," said Representative Meek.  "This young pilot proved that when you dream big dreams and work hard, the extraordinary is possible.  I am honored to call Barrington Irving a constituent."

“What motivated me throughout my 25,000-mile journey was the thought that more than 100,000 youth were tracking my flight, “ Irving said. “Like me, many of the [m] grew up in the inner city with little hope for a professional career.”

Irving says “My own life changed at 15 years old, when I met Captain Gary Robinson, an airline pilot who cared enough to spend time with me and encourage me to achieve something I first thought impossible. “

With Robinson’s mentoring and guidance, Irving pursued an aviation career and in June of 2007, he became the youngest person and the first black pilot to fly solo around the world.

“Following Captain Robinson’s example, I too became a role model and mentor for other young people. Experience Aviation Inc. is my way of expanding this role as mentor on a national scale.”

Experience Aviation, Inc., a nonprofit organization founded by Irving in 2003, aims to inspire more than a million young people through aviation education programs by 2012.

The EA Learning Center in Miami aims to inspire young people to achieve their dreams through aviation education programs designed to build math, science and reading skills.

A contribution of $50 will enable one student to participate in EA after-school programs, $100 will send a student on the weekend mini-course, “Charting a Flight Plan for Life,” $150 will give a student opportunity to construct an aircraft in “Build and Fly,” and any amount will help develop other exciting initiatives including a Virtual Online Learning Program.
 
To make your tax-deductible donation, please log on to www. Experienceaviation.org Or mail to Experience Aviation, Inc, 15001 NW 42nd Avenue, Opa-locka, FL 33054.  To join the Experience Aviation Volunteer Team or to become a Program Sponsor, please write fly@experienceaviation.org or call 305-537-9291