Microsoft have today announced their support in 23yr old Barrington Irving's round-the-world flight. Microsoft's community website, FSinsider.com are providing real-time tracking of the flight from data from the aircraft. Click on Read More for the full story.

When 23-year old Barrington Irving climbs into his single-engine Columbia 400 airplane on March 23rd and embarks on a round-the-world flight that will make him the first African American and the youngest person ever to fly solo around the globe, he won't be alone. Also along for the ride will be students and individuals participating in the experience via the Internet.

"The Microsoft Flight Simulator team is proud to be a sponsor of Barrington Irving's World Flight adventure," says Community team Experience Architect Mike Singer. "Barrington used Flight Simulator extensively when he was learning how to fly, so he clearly sees the value of our product. When we learned about his plan to fly around the world to inspire kids, we wanted to get involved. We'll have a special section on FSinsider.com dedicated to the flight. Students, teachers, and individuals will be able to follow Barrington's progress on a map as he makes his way around the world. They'll also find information about how to use Flight Simulator to take their own virtual journey along Barrington's route of flight."

As a student pilot, Barrington practiced on his own in the evenings, using Microsoft Flight Simulator on his home computer: "Microsoft Flight Simulator played an important role in my life during a time when I could not afford flight training," Barrington explains. "It kept my interest and allowed me to experience flight. Although it was simulated, I felt as if I was in the air. I followed the educational lesson outlines and literally taught myself the basics of flight. Flight Simulator became an invaluable educational tool that allowed me to dream through the world of technology. The software gave me more than a good time but rather an opportunity."

Microsoft Flight Simulator X is the latest edition of the world's most popular flight simulation. For more than 20 years Flight Simulator has been the software of choice for millions of educational and home users interested in re-creating the aviation experience in their classroom or living room. With Flight Simulator X, users can take off from one of more than 24,000 airports and explore a beautiful world that's like nothing they've ever seen before on a PC. New features include missions, a dynamic living world, and a completely overhauled multiplayer system. Flight Simulator X is available in stores everywhere.

More information about the Flight Simulator-based experiential component of Barrington Irving's World Flight adventure is available at:

http://www.fsinsider.com/SpecialFeatures/BarringtonIrving

To learn more about Barrington, visit:

www.experienceaviation.org