2007 Guinness World Record Flight In 2007 Barrington Irving became the youngest person, at 23, and the first black pilot to fly solo around the world, when he successfully completed a 97-day flight in a single-engine aircraft. He made the trip show other youth that if he could achieve his dream, they could too. Experience Aviation, Inc In 2005, at age 21, Barrington Irving founded Experience Aviation, a nonprofit organization that utilizes aviation to address the shortage of skilled professionals in aviation and related industries by motivating youth and encouraging them to pursue careers involving STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). For the past five years, as part of the ongoing Mitsubishi Dream and Soar: Youth in Aviation program, Barrington has carried his pro-STEM message to thousands of students in inner-city middle and high schools in cities across America.

The Flying Classroom

Irving was named a 2012 National Geographic Emerging Explorer for his record-breaking trip around the world and involvement with promoting STEM education among students. His newest adventure is transforming a converted Hawker 400XPR, donated by Beechcraft, into the world’s first Flying Classroom. The plane will circle the world, in three 2-month legs, engaging students along the way via interactive adventures. Students will have a virtual window on about 50 ground expeditions including Machu Picchu, the Serengeti Plains, the Great Wall of China, and the challenging environment of Antarctica.

Cameras will provide 360 degree panoramic views of destinations from ancient archaeological sites to Hong Kong skyscrapers. Apps will track adventures such as shark tagging, giving students ongoing location and water temperature data. A steady stream of challenges during each nine-week journey, many in conjunction with other National Geographic Explorers, will let students compete to solve problems ranging from protecting the environment to discovering a career path in STEM.

The Flying Classroom is backed by visionary sponsors Beechcraft and Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc., as well as supporters such as NASA, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Miami Executive Aviation, i-edu, Orion Jet Center, The Gans Family, Flight Safety International, University of Miami, Satcom Direct, Think Global School, Survival Systems USA, SAGLO, Jeppesen, Gold Aviation Services, Oliver Uberti Creative, Socially Engaged Media, Think Lab Ventures, TLC.

About Experience Aviation

Experience Aviation is a 501-C3 non-profit organization based at Opa-Locka Executive Airport and the Glenn Curtiss Mansion in Miami Springs. The organization operates two 3,200-square-foot Learning Center facilities. Successful programs offered at the Center and at community partner facilities include a 10-week Build & Soar Project, a STEM Summer Academy, Inspiration Career Tours, and a Career Development/Internship program.

Because Experience Aviation's programs are successfully bridging the gap between the classroom and STEM-related industries, Barrington and his team are working to replicate their success in Miami by partnering with schools nationwide.

For more information about Barrington Irving and his educational initiatives and to make a contribution, visit www.experienceaviation.com, Barrington Irving on Facebook or Twitter at @BarringtonFlys.