Aircraft Ownership
Record-setting pilot receives additional honors
Barrington Irving
Barrington Irving, who in 2007 became the first African-American to fly around the world, received additional recognition of his achievements in February, which is designated Black History Month.
In 2007 Irving, then age 23, flew a custom-made Cessna Columbia 400 23,000 nm in a trek that lasted three months, departing from Miami’s Opa Locka Airport (see “Pilots: Barrington Irving”, the August 2007 AOPA Pilot ). He continues to work with inner-city youth through a nonprofit organization, Experience Aviation.
Irving was among 100 honorees in “The Grio’s 100: History Makers in the Making,” a compilation of the next generation of African-American history makers and industry leaders. Essence magazine featured Irving in its “Black History Now: 40 Firsts in 40 Years” list, along with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama; Colin Powell; and Mae Jemison, a crew member of the space shuttle Endeavour and the first female African-American astronaut in space. Finally, BET named Irving as one of its 15 rising stars of 2010.
March 9, 2010
