Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Captain Barrington Irving, the youngest and the first black man to fly solo around the world, waves to supporters as he leaves the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Friday.

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2007: Jamaican 'Inspiration'

Jamaican-born Captain Barrington Irving Jr., the world's youngest and first black man to set two world records by flying solo around the globe, landed at the Opa-Locka Airport in Miami, Florida, after more than 130 hours on a 97-day, 26,800-mile 'World Flight Adventure'. The journey included stops in the Azores, Spain, Greece, Egypt, Dubai, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.

The 23-year-old landed to a water salute from two fire trucks, a praying group of clergy, youth drummers, thunderous cheers and flag-waving Jamaicans.

Young Irving, who named his aircraft 'Inspiration', said the purpose of making the flight was to inspire inner-city and minority youth to consider pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace.

Captain Irving arrived in the island last Friday to a hero's welcome.