VMAN Orders 10 new generation Amphibian Aircraft to connect Indian Waterways US company Mallard to supply ME-1As to Gujarat based leasing company

HYDERABAD/ NEW DELHI. It's Time to Fly from the Rivers, Coast, or Lakes, to connect India's various regions, both for civil and military requirements.

- GULSHAN LUTHRA

In a pioneering initiative, VMAN, an aircraft leasing company operating from the GIFT City, or Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, has signed an MOU for 10 new generation ME-1A aircraft from the US company Mallard Enterprises. The first steps towards manufacturing these machines, made of strong but lightweight composite materials, resistant to sea salts, have been initiated and it should take about three years to deliver the flying machines after first payments are received, ME Co-founder and CEO Dan Peabody told India Strategic.

The aircraft will be propelled by two Pratt & Whitney engines, and in a standard configuration for regional transport, it will carry 19 passengers with luggage over a distance of about 648 km. Of course, the flight can be extended three times to 1945 km but then the passenger load has to be reduced to six with typical airline reserves, Dan explained as we chatted over coffee.

PRODUCTION TIMELINES

It takes 3 to 4 years to produce and deliver an aircraft from the drawing board to the assembly lines and the customers, and Dan and his team are travelling around to look for more customers to add to the aircraft orders. They were at the Singapore Airshow, Wings India, and then in New Delhi for procedural discussions with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA).

In New Delhi, "the response from Mr Vumlumang Vualnam, Secretary, MOCA, was positive and encouraging," said Air Vice Marshal Arvind Walia (Retd), Advisor with Mallard.