Youngest Black pilot to fly solo around the world comes to NSU

By Bryce Johnson and Brielle Aguayo •

Captain Barrington Irving, who in 2007 became the youngest Black pilot to fly solo around the world, recently came to NSU to discuss “Hero of a Thousand Faces,” a documentary about his accomplishments as part of the Black community. It was the first time Irving was actually seeing the documentary, screened with producer Michael Anderson, multiple Emmy award-winning producer.

Barrington Irving shares stories at NSU from his life as a pilot. PHOTO BY BRIELLE AGUAYO.

“The one thing aviation gives me is freedom, where it’s this freedom of peace, it’s this feeling of intense relaxation,” Irving told the NSU community at the Alvin Sherman Library on Feb. 13.

“My office space is between heaven and earth.”

In the documentary, Irving described that to fly across the world, he often flew 12 hours straight for 97 days.

He said his biggest challenge was flying through Shemya Island, between Japan and Russia. The weather was unsteady and unpredictable, with only a short window each day to safely fly through it. Other pilots warned him to turn back, and he barely made it out safely.

“I landed in Alaska with 12 minutes of fuel. I landed, and I’ll never forget pulling up. There’s a sign that says, ‘It’s not

the end of the world, but you can see it from here.’ I had one shot, and I made it,” said Irving.

Irving said he came from a low-income family, and mentor-ship was an important part of his life and success.

The advice he received from his mentor Gary Robinson, a United Airlines pilot, changed his life. His mentor supported his vision and passion for wanting to fly around the world.

“When I told Gary Robinson that I wanted to fly around the world, if he would’ve said no, I would’ve never done it,” said Irving. “Mentorship is absolutely a powerful thing.”

In the documentary, many expressed concerns and doubted Irving’s dreams, yet that did not stop him from achieving his goal of being the youngest person to fly around the world.

“What if I just flew around the world and inspired a bunch of kids?” said Irving.

Now, Irving has a nonprofit organization called “Experience Aviation,” where students can learn about aviation and activities based in STEM. One of the students who applied for the program was Trayvon Martin.

“He was the first student we ever lost in our program. He reminded me a lot of myself,” said Irving. “I felt obligated. As best as I can, I’m not going to lose another kid.”