Barrington Irving - Contributed

Gordon Williams, Contributor

MIAMI, Florida:

Twenty-three-year-old Kingston-born Barrington Irving Jr. on Friday morning made a bold take-off in pursuit of aviation history.

Irving, who resides in the United States, left the Opa-Locka Airport in Miami on a dream mission, to become the youngest-ever pilot to fly solo around the world.

He is travelling in his Colombia 400 single propeller aircraft he named Inspiration.

Mr. Irving's aim on the 'Experience Aviation Tour' is to motivate young people to pursue worthwhile careers. Last week's take-off was attended by a huge crowd, including his parents, students, public officials and a sprinkling of proud flag-waving Jamaicans from around the U.S., anxious to witness the first stage of a journey that is expected to take him more than 40 days to complete.

"He's symbolising for all of us as he takes to the sky, that the sky is truly the limit," said Ricardo Allicock, Jamaica's consul general in Miami, who supplied Irving with a Jamaican flag to take on the trip and delivered a message to the gathering on behalf of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

Friday's function, marked by an aviation career fair which included tours of aircraft for participants, performances by a marching band, tributes to Irving in song and speeches, attracted a throng of news media and was shown on television news programmes across the country.

Monumental project

The Jamaicans present were impressed that one of their own was attempting such a monumental project.

"I'm having goose pimples, I'm so proud of him," said Inez Leslie, who migrated to Florida nine years ago and who attended the ceremony with her husband and teenage son who were also born in Jamaica.

"I'm not even surprised at his accomplishment," said Michelle Hylton, a Miami resident who at different times during the function proudly wrapped herself in a huge Jamaican flag or held it high in the air. "It shows the value coming out of our island."

Irving has always acknowledged that the journey to complete the tour was not smooth. As a teenager, he was introduced to aviation by Gary Robinson, a Jamaican commercial pilot who saw him in a store and asked him if he was interested in flying planes. Shortly after, Robinson took him to an airport and allowed him to sit in the cockpit of an aircraft. Irving soon began taking flying lessons, paying for them with money he earned from washing planes and doing odd jobs around the airport. He ignored a promising athletic career and attended flight school.

A few years ago, Irving started telling friends that he hoped to fly solo around the world in an attempt to inspire young people with limited means.

The thought often raised eyebrows, as the pilot acknowledged that he himself had very little resources, yet he was determined to pursue his plan.

He tackled numerous sponsors to raise close to the US$1 million needed for the project. That sum included US$10,000 from the Jamaican Government, according to Mr. Allicock.

"Barrington had a dream and he did what was necessary," said Mr. Robinson.

But at times the dream appeared heading for a nightmare. With funds slowly coming in, Irving had to postpone plans for an earlier take-off last year.

Never gave up

Weather restrictions in late 2006 stalled the plan further. Still, he never gave up.

"I didn't start off rich, I didn't have much," he told the audience while thanking those who helped him on his mission, including his parents Barrington Irving Sr. and wife Clovalyn whose strong Jamaican values the pilot said armed him with the tools to succeed.

"All I am is an ordinary person surrounded by extraordinary people," Irving said.

Barrington Sr., who worked odd jobs and long hours to support his family when he first came to the U.S., said he was "confident" that his son would complete the journey. He is expected to fly for an average of six to eight hours each leg, with the longest being up to 12 hours. Communication companies have created a satellite system that will allow observers to track Irving's flight path in real time. A documentary is also being made of the tour.

Irving is expected to return to the U.S. in early May.