Jabari Brown, a 20-year-old Jamaican-born pilot, has become an aviation millionaire after prevailing in an extreme physical and mental competition orchestrated by YouTube megastar MrBeast. The challenge, filmed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last October, pitted 100 pilots against each other in a series of aerial-themed trials culminating in a 19-hour endurance test where the last person touching a private jet would claim it as their prize.
Brown emerged victorious from the grueling competition that involved hauling aircraft, withstanding jet blasts, and even skydiving. The final challenge required participants to maintain physical contact with a jet positioned on a trailer along a Saudi freeway. After more than 19 hours of continuous effort that included running alongside the moving trailer, only three competitors remained.
In a dramatic twist, the final trio was instructed to devise their own elimination game within one hour. Brown advocated for a skills-based challenge, arguing that the valuable prize should be earned through merit, while his two older competitors preferred a game of chance involving suitcases with hidden golden tickets. Despite heated exchanges and doubts about whether participants would honor the agreement, the suitcase game proceeded, and Brown revealed the winning ticket.
The young pilot described the moment as surreal, admitting he had expected all contestants to lose the jet due to potential rule violations. ‘I just genuinely thought we were all gonna lose the jet and just go home with 10 grand,’ Brown confessed from Saudi Arabia, where he was still processing his life-changing win.
Brown’s aviation journey began after immigrating to the United States with his family in elementary school. Growing up with what he describes as a ‘normal Jamaican childhood,’ he discovered his passion for flying in Florida, where he received a scholarship from the Experimental Aircraft Association. He completed flight training in under six months, becoming both a registered pilot and instructor.
Currently operating under the social media handle ‘Capt Treezy,’ Brown creates aviation content but cannot yet fly commercially due to age restrictions despite having all necessary qualifications. He plans to use his prize to support his business, Integrity Aviation Online Groundschool, and create financial security for his parents.
The newly minted millionaire also addressed concerns about the timing of his victory, which coincided with Hurricane Melissa’s devastation in Jamaica. He expressed relief that his win could provide positive inspiration during difficult times and offered encouragement to young Jamaicans pursuing aviation dreams: ‘Find your gift and be the best at your gift because you never know where it will take you.’