NDT Quality Training and the Victor Kilo Fund have partnered to award their first joint Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) scholarship to Samuel Babatunde Eilija. Eilija, a Nigerian national, was awarded 40% financial aid toward his total tuition based on his exceptional talent and tenacity.
To pursue his Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license, Eilija sacrificed his own time and finances to travel to the United States, NDT Quality Training Director of Training Beau Hardison explained. His training journey involved ongoing connection with Hardison, flying to Dallas to complete a Flight Safety borescope class, and driving to Mountain View, Arkansas, to work with the team at Aircraft Structural Inspections, an FAA 145 repair station.
“I am committed to advancing my career in aviation maintenance and Non-Destructive Testing, with a strong focus on safety, precision, and continuous improvement,” said Eilija. “Through ongoing training and professional development, I aim to contribute meaningfully to the aviation industry while also supporting knowledge transfer through training and mentorship.”
The collaboration was sparked at AirVenture 2025 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where Hardison and Victor Kilo Fund CEO Jeffrey Madison connected at the General Aviation Awards ceremony, Madison stated. Hardison was in attendance to receive the GAA Aviation Maintenance Tech of the Year award, while Madison was promoting his aviation safety book, YIKES! 100 Smart Pilots and the Dumb Things They Did Yet Lived to Tell About ‘Em.
NDT Quality Training provides FAA-approved and ICAET-accredited online training for non-destructive testing, avionics instrument & radio, and FAA maintenance safety. The Victor Kilo Fund operates as a non-profit aerospace education foundation established to close the industry talent gap across multiple disciplines.
To learn more about these programs or to apply, visit Aircraft Structural Inspections, NDT Quality Training, or VictorKiloFund.org.
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