Jamaican Pilot to Receive Hero’s Welcome

Jamaican-born aviator, Captain Barrington Irving, Jr., will arrive to a hero’s welcome on Friday (Aug. 3) at the Norman Manley Airport in Kingston for a four-day official visit to Jamaica.
He recently accomplished his mission as the youngest and first black person to successfully circumnavigate the world. His mission, he said, was to inspire and uplift those of less fortunate circumstances in achieving their dreams.
Captain Irving was invited to Jamaica by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller on Wednesday (June 27), after his successful historic aviation voyage, which took him across four continents over 97 days.
He will be met on arrival by several Government and Jamaica Tourist Board officials.
Mr. Irving will be the special guest in an official motorcade through the streets of Kingston. He will also appear at various events and will make a courtesy call on the Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Professor Kenneth Hall at King’s House. He will also visit patients at the St. Joseph’s Hospital and residents at the Maxfield Park Children’s Home.
On Saturday, he will receive a warm welcome when he arrives in Montego Bay to meet with city officials, followed by a tour of the SOS Children’s Village and several landmarks in that area.
A native of Spanish Town, Captain Irving will visit his place of birth in High Field as well as the preparatory school in Friendship Meadows where he first attended school, and participate in a church service at the Glad Tidings Open Bible Church in that community.
Described as a mentor and role model, Captain Irving will conduct a rap session with Jamaican students of the National Youth Development Council where he will share experiences encountered during his solo world mission as well as speak of his pioneering work in aviation, education, and volunteerism.
Mr. Irving recently established an aviation learning centre – Experience Aviation – at the Opa Locka Airport in Miami to expose less fortunate children to the aviation industry. On Monday (August 6), Captain Irving will be a guest at the Independence Day Parade at King’s House. He will also participate in several other activities scheduled for that day as the nation celebrates its 45th anniversary of Independence.
Later that day, he will be the guest of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller at the Independence Reception and Gala at Jamaica House.
During his official visit to Jamaica, Captain Irving will be accompanied by his family, his parents and two younger brothers, as well as his mentor, Jamaican national and airline pilot, Captain Gary Robinson.