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Capt. Barrington Irving knows what it takes to fly By Michael Dumas
Less that a decade later, on June 27, 2007, Irving's airplane Inspiration touched down in Miami, FL, after completing a solo circumnavigation of the earth. He was 23 years old - 15 years younger than the previous record holder for an around-the-world solo flight. When his wheels landed on South Florida terra firma, the pilot with the 1000-watt smile also became the first Jamaican, and man of African descent, to complete aviation's most coveted achievement. It seems he was smart enough, after all. Discovering his penchant for aviation changed Irving's life and taught him the difference between a job and a career - thanks in no small part to mentorship. "It really makes a difference when you have someone who genuinely cares about you and wants to help you, especially when they're not family," Irving said about Capt. Robinson's inspiration. "That's how I got into aviation, because someone took the time out for me." Irving dedicates all the time he has to living that philosophy, beginning by speaking to church, school and community groups about the benefits of a skilled workforce in aviation and how those with the courage to chase their dreams can actually reach them. Through his non-profit orgainzation, Experience Aviation, Irving primarily works with inner-city, high-minority youths educating them about the opportunities that exist to have satisfying careers with high pay. On Sept. 3, presented by the Mobile International Festival, Irving will speak to local students at Davidson High School, which includes his World Flight Adventure presentation. He already has a firm connection with the Port City, having received the engine for Inspiration from Mobile's Teledynce Continental Motors - one of the first major companies to sponsor his journey. "Mobile has always been good to me, a blessing," Irving said. "And Continental is very passionate about the future of aviation. I think they were impressed with my persistence, making phone calls and sending lots of letters - doing everything I could to get that engine donated." That level of persistence, self-reliance and belief are tenets of Irving's mentorship, which he is taking to new levels again near Miami through his Build & Soar program for students, which will result in their construction of Inspiration II, a plane Irving will take to the skies himself this October. "This is a beacon, meant to catapult aviation into the educational realm," he said. "There's nothing new about building airplanes, but we've actually structured the program to challenge students to build an airplane in 10 weeks!"
"These are inner-city kids and when they began, most didn't even know how to put the drill on the air hose," he said. And yet, when they are finished, those same students will watch their teacher climb aboard a craft they built as a team and soar, smiling, down the runway at Opalocka Airport. Irving's youth and experience enable him to relate to his students in ways many in the aviation industry cannot - a fact not lost on the 24-year-old pilot, who was raised in inner-city Miami. And with south Alabama's growth as a power in the world aviation industry, there is no telling what doors Irving and other such passionate educators will open for present, and future, generations. "To be able, as a young person, to bring industry to the classroom in creative ways - it's something dynamic I'm looking to really build upon in a greater way," he said. "(Experience Aviation) has served as the first step on the path of getting that done."
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Mobile County
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Mobile County
Neighbors Mobile's Alliance Francaise celebrates annually the French National Day. A reception was held for members and friends at Fort Conde on July 12. Will Edmonds, the president of Alliance Francaise, recognized the 25th year anniversary of Mobile International Festival. France is one of the original members of the festival. From left are Edmonds, Marie Helene Hickman, Estela Dorn and Bobbie Bayne.
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The
International Festival of Mobile Photos courtesy
of Angela Gibbons Attendees at the annual International Festival - now in its 25th year - learn about the culture and traditions of 70 different countries, as well as taste authentic food from the destinations. The festival's executive, Estela Dorn, originally from the Philippines, says student attendance is 12,000 to 14,000. Teachers use the festival to teach children the value and importance of various cultures. As the Port City grows and the economy diversifies, it will be even more important to understand the backgrounds of those coming into our community. The Mobile International Festival is held the week before Thanksgiving. 25th
Annual Mobile International Festival
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As
a teenager, Jamaican-born Barrington Irving caught flying fever,
having been introduced to the craft by United Airlines Captain Gary
Robinson, who he met in his parents' bookstore. But, young Barrington
didn't think he was smart enough to fly an airplane; surely it was
akin to rocket science.
Irving
believes it is easier to work with students who have no prior knowledge
of his craft, as long as they can maintain open minds and creative
thinking.
The
annual installation banquet, ushering the 2008 officers, directors
and trutees of the Lebanese-American Club of Mobile, kicked ff the
official celebration of the 25th year of the Mobile International
Festival. The banquet was held at the Cafe' Royal, with Bashir Tawk,
acting consul general of Lebanon, as the guest speaker. From left
are Lebanese-American Club of mobile members Estela Dorn and Joe
Davis; Tawk; and LAC member Bobbie Bayne. Davis, the president of
Mobile International Festival, is the LAC treasurer. The LAC was
among the first cultural organizations to join the festival. Through
the yearlong celebration, other cultural groups will be celebrating
their own events.
