The ISTAT Foundation is pleased to announce a generous commitment of US$100,000 from Aircraft Engine Lease Finance Inc. (AELF) to establish the AELF James Nazarkewich Aviation Scholarship. This new scholarship honors AELF’s longtime Chief Technical Officer James (Jim) Nazarkewich and will support aviation-focused students over the next five years.

“The ISTAT Foundation is deeply grateful for AELF’s generous commitment,” said Kristin Chmielewski, ISTAT Foundation Board of Trustees Chair. “This scholarship reflects the very spirit of our mission — to expand access, inspire future leaders and strengthen the global aviation community. For more than three decades, the ISTAT Foundation has sought to empower the next generation of aviation professionals and partnerships like this amplify our ability to open doors for students who will shape the industry’s future.”

AELF has built a reputation as a leading U.S.-based commercial aircraft lessor.  With more than 30 years of experience and hundreds of aircraft delivered under his technical leadership, Nazarkewich has been central to establishing AELF’s strong engineering and maintenance capabilities.

“With more than three decades of experience and hundreds of aircraft successfully maintained and delivered, our Chief Technical Officer Jim Nazarkewich is an exceptional industry veteran that has mentored many over the years,” said Victoria Ricks, Director for AELF. “It is apropos and a great pleasure for us to support students advancing their aviation education in Jim’s honor, and we are proud to partner with the ISTAT Foundation with its thirty-year history of fostering the commercial aviation community.”

Nazarkewich shared his appreciation for the initiative:

“It is a great honor to be named in AELF’s ISTAT Foundation scholarship and to see students grow and advance their careers in this dynamic field. Our outstanding team of aircraft engineers, records specialists, and support staff achieve excellence each day as evidenced in the high-quality aircraft we deliver our lessees, and I hope the scholarship encourages students to pursue rewarding opportunities like these.”

Over the past 30 years, the ISTAT Foundation has emerged as an instrumental force in the commercial aviation sector, with a remarkable cumulative investment of more than US$6.2 million in scholarships and educational programs, reaching more than 1,000 aviation-passionate students around the world.

Scholarships are a significant part of the Foundation’s educational giving. We appreciate AELF’s commitment and invite other companies within the ISTAT community to consider a similar investment in the future of the industry.

About the ISTAT Foundation

The ISTAT Foundation is the charitable arm of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT). Founded in 1994, the ISTAT Foundation invests in and fosters the future of aviation across the globe by supporting individuals and institutions that promote the advancement of commercial aviation and humanitarianism. Annual grants from ISTAT itself, and contributions from individuals and companies, support the ISTAT Foundation’s four programs — Scholarships, Education Grants, Humanitarian Grants and Internships. For more information, please visit www.istat.org/foundation.

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