City of Pompano Beach to Announce The Flying Classroom

City of Pompano Beach to Announce The Flying Classroom

Pompano Beach Cultural Center | 50 W Atlantic Boulevard

Wednesday, December 4th

8:00 am - 10:30 am

The City of Pompano Beach proudly announces that Barrington Irving, renowned aviator and founder of The Flying Classroom, will open the Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITTS) at the Pompano Air Park. The official announcement will occur at a private event for community partners and media on December 4^th, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center.

"Cultivating innovation and education is essential to our city's future," said Mayor Rex Hardin. "We're proud to support this outstanding initiative with ARPA funds, and we are honored that celebrated pilot, educator, and entrepreneur Barrington Irving will lead this acclaimed program."

With overwhelming support, the Pompano Beach City Commission approved the allocation of ARPA (The American Rescue Plan Act) funds exceeding $200,000 to support BITTS, which is a workforce development STEM program designed to provide hands-on training and job placement for technical career positions in the aviation industry to local high school students and adults. The program will be housed at a new hangar at Pompano Air Park, offering state-of-the-art facilities for training and skill development.

Barrington Irving is an aviation trailblazer and one of the most lauded motivational figures of our time. As the youngest person and first Black pilot to fly solo worldwide, he has inspired countless individuals to pursue their dreams. His educational resource company, The Flying Classroom, offers a K-12 STEM curriculum based on his 75 STEM expeditions in over 70 countries.