Aviation Pioneer Barrington Irving Launches Technical Training School in Pompano Beach

By Attiyya Atkins

Pompano Beach, FL — Renowned aviator and educator Barrington Irving, the first Black man and youngest person at the time to fly solo around the world, has launched a bold new initiative aimed at inspiring and equipping the next generation of aviation professionals. The Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITTS) is now open at Pompano Air Park, 1001 NE 10th St, Pompano Beach, FL 33060.

The new school is designed to provide hands-on technical education in aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul, offering programs for both high school students and adults. The goal: create direct pipelines to careers in aviation and aerospace, industries in critical need of skilled labor.

Irving, a Jamaican-born trailblazer raised in Miami’s inner city, made global headlines in 2007 when, at just 23 years old, he became the youngest person and first Black pilot to fly solo around the world. His 97-day journey aboard a single-engine aircraft he built himself was more than a personal feat — it was a mission to show young people, especially Black and brown children, what’s possible with vision, discipline, and opportunity.

“Pompano Airport and Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport will become training hubs to serve communities directly focused on aviation-related careers,” Irving said at the school’s unveiling. “It’s about empowering our youth with tools to dream big and take off.”

BITTS has received strong support from the City of Pompano Beach, which allocated over $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the project. Mayor Rex Hardin emphasized the city’s commitment to innovation and youth development: “We’re proud to support this outstanding initiative… and we are honored that celebrated pilot, educator, and entrepreneur Barrington Irving will lead this acclaimed program.”

Irving is also the founder of the Flying Classroom, an educational platform that uses aviation to teach STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) in real-world ways. His work has reached thousands of students across the country, and BITTS marks his latest effort to bring those opportunities closer to home — and to communities that need them most.