Aviation Hero Inspires Cleveland Students

Barrington Irving’s ‘Dream & Soar: Youth in Aviation’ program in partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America motivates youth to consider aviation careers

Barrington Irving, the youngest person and the first African American pilot to fly solo around the world, will present his inspirational message through the ‘Mitsubishi Dream & Soar: Youth in Aviation’ Program on Thursday, March 16th to more than 150 students and parents at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. (MHIA) and Tri-C are sponsoring the initiative.

Irving will speak in front of the students and parents at Cuyahoga Community College scheduled to take place at 5:30p.m. at Tri-C’s Metropolitan Campus Advanced Technology Training Center, Room 139, located at 2415 Woodland Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Captain Irving will share his passion for inspiring young people to identify and pursue their dreams through aviation and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Immediately following the presentation, Mr. Irving will join Cuyahoga Community College administration, VIPs and select students for a reception at Tri-C’s Metropolitan Campus Advanced Technology Training Center, Room 200, from 6:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m.

“I am pleased to welcome Barrington to Northeast Ohio and thank him for sharing his story. Barrington is a pioneer, who continues to show us what can happen when you work hard and follow your dreams,” said Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11). “Science, technology, engineering, and math are changing the way the world works and the people of the 11th Congressional District must have the tools to succeed. Thankfully, entities like Mitsubishi and Tri-C are leading the way, increasing awareness of STEM fields and preparing our community for the jobs of today and tomorrow."

Captain Irving, who was mentored by a commercial airlines pilot, is the founder of the Miami-based Experience Aviation program designed to build math, science, reading and problem solving skills to young people. He began Experience Aviation after his 97-day history-making global flight as a 23-year-old pilot in 2007. In 2012, he was named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and since then, based on his many global adventures, he created a Flying Classroom science curriculum for grades 1-8 that is now used in schools throughout the country. Mr. Irving has received numerous U.S. and international awards for his role-model-for-youth initiatives.

“I believe the sponsorship by MHIA is allowing me to get my educational and motivational message out to a growing number of students and to introduce them to careers in aviation. I want to show them that pursuing a career in this exciting industry can enable them to realize their dreams – just as I did,” says Mr. Irving.

This is the ninth year Mitsubishi has sponsored Barrington Irving’s Mitsubishi Dream & Soar: Youth in Aviation Program. Whenever possible, the record-setting pilot flies to ‘Dream & Soar’ events in the Mitsubishi MU-2 turboprop, and Captain Irving has recently purchased an MU-2 for use in his Flying Classroom endeavors.

MHIA General Manager for Aircraft Product Support Kensuke Takeuchi expressed enthusiasm for the 'Dream & Soar' program. “MHIA recognizes the benefit and need of opening up the eyes of young people to the choice of aviation as their life work. America badly needs new pilots, grounds crews, engineers, teachers, technicians, air traffic controllers and workers for literally all aviation disciplines.”