Aviation ambassadors Barrington Irving and Jamail Larkins met with FAA Administrator Marion Blakey Friday to discuss efforts to bring more young people into aviation. From left are EAA President Tom Poberezny, Irving, Larkins, and Blakey. Photo by David Sakrison

Barrington Irving feels that too many young people are intimidated by aviation. "They think it’s too much science and math, and they think they’re not smart enough or good enough," Irving told FAA Administrator Marion Blakey on Friday morning during a meeting at AirVenture.

"We need to show young people that there are lots of opportunities in aviation besides being a pilot. And we need to show them that they can do it."

This past June, the 23-year-old Irving became the youngest pilot ever to fly solo around the world. He is currently working on a college degree in aerospace and serving as an aviation ambassador to young people.

Also meeting with the administrator was Jamail Larkins, a former EAA Young Eagles ambassador. He told Blakey that he sees young people excited about the opportunities in aviation. "But there’s a disconnect when they ask ‘How do I get there?’ We’re not following through with them."

Larkins serves on the boards of three foundations that offer scholarships in aviation careers. "I’m always amazed at the lack of scholarship applications. Flying is expensive, but there are ways [for young people] to do it. We’re not getting that message out there."

Irving added, "To get young people into aviation, you need to use young people [as ambassadors] who can provide role models that young people can relate to. When they hear ‘business aviation,’ they think of some rap star standing next to his private jet." They don’t see a whole industry with countless opportunities in and out of the cockpit, he said.

"It’s ironic," said Larkins, "when you look at airports in our communities. They’re in our backyards; kids see them all the time. But they’re not as welcoming as they used to be."

Some of that is necessary, he said, "but we, the members of the aviation community, need to do a better job of being welcoming" to young people.

Blakey praised both young men for reaching out to young people and bringing them into aviation. "It’s a very important part of our [FAA’s] mission to secure the future of aviation," she said.

Barrington told Blakey, "I’ve shown kids what I can do. My next project is to show them what they can do and to get them doing it."

We have to step back, he said, and help kids find ways of achieving the things we’re encouraging them to dream about.