Barrington Irving, who holds two Guinness World Records as the youngest person, and first Black man, to fly solo around the world 20 years ago, is planning another world flight in 2027. This time the feat is aimed at encouraging more people to embrace aviation careers—and to expand support from companies for apprenticeships and training.
Irving’s 2007 flight was in a Columbia 400 piston single, but next year’s trip will be faster in a business jet. As was the case for the first trip, Executive Air Services founder and CEO Fabio Alexander Vasquez will sponsor the 2027 flight, and the Aircraft Electronics Association and NBAA will provide additional support. Vasquez introduced Irving to NBAA before his first flight, and that led to broad support from the industry.
Irving has founded three student-focused organizations to help fund scholarships, develop STEM curricula, and to provide technical training for future aerospace workers: Experience Aviation, Flying Classroom, and Barrington Irving Technical Training School.
“NBAA literally gave me my wings,” Irving said, “and Fabio Alexander was very core as a title sponsor behind that. Now to be back here again at NBAA…the first time I attended was thanks to Fabio.”
The support he received “started right here at the show,” he said. “Now to be on the verge of flying around the world again, but this time with a different twist, where we want to focus on getting as many individuals into business aviation, manufacturing within aviation, as well as other opportunities in the industry.
“I got into aviation due to a random chance meeting with an airline pilot,” he recalled. “That’s where my journey in aviation began, and I met Fabio and that took me to the next level. There are a lot of young people out there…who have interest in aviation, but they may not know how to access it. Where do I actually start?
“There’s an abundance of resources in our industry. What we’re trying to do is streamline [the process]. How do I make those first steps? How do I get involved? Everyone sees the planes, but they don’t see the hands behind the planes, the logistics, and from business to the operation.
“The first time we just wanted to inspire young people to pursue careers in aviation. Now we want to empower young people as well as adults to pursue these careers, whether it’s through apprenticeships, job shadowing, and so forth. We’re lining up different companies to sign up and say, ‘We’ll offer apprenticeship opportunities.’
“This time around, to have the tailwind of Fabio and others in industry, alongside NBAA and the Aircraft Electronics Association, we’re going to do it again. We’re very excited, but this time the purpose is to create one of the largest apprenticeship programs ever done for aviation.”
“Barrington is a visionary leader with an inspiring mission,” said NBAA interim COO Dan Hubbard. “NBAA is proud to have supported him 20 years ago, and we’re proud of all that he has achieved since. His dedication to expanding opportunity reflects the very best of business aviation. His 2027 flight is an exciting platform to help us make the next generation part of the workforce of tomorrow.”
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