Barrington Irving, a 23-year-old Kingston-born pilot, is expected to finish his record attempt at a round-the-world trip next week Tuesday or Wednesday when he touches down in Miami.

Mr. Irving experiencing delays that extended the five-week flight time that he expected when taking off on March 23, aims to become the youngest, and only person of African descent, to have flown solo around the world. "Several legs of his flight broke world records for times and should be verified before he completes his trip," spokewoman Holly Peppe told The Gleaner.

"That's the big question!" replied Ms. Peppe when asked for an arrival time. "It looks like Tuesday or Wednesday (of next week)."

She said that weather depending, he would fly to Seattle today from Anchorage, Alaska. From there, he is to fly onto Denver, then Houston and finally Miami, where he began.

The Kingston-born Mr. Irving, whose family emigrated to Miami when he was six years old, funded the trip through sponsorship. He hopes that he and his Colombia 400 aircraft, which he named Inspiration, will inspire other inner-city youth to pursue careers in the aviation industry.

"I named the plane Inspiration because that's what I want my historic venture to be for young people who are looking for a purpose in life beyond the streets of the innercity," he explained on his Experience Aviation website.

ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com