Bangalore. 25 January 2024. US manufacturer Mallard Enterprises signed a MoU with Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Global Academy of Technology (GAT), a unit of National Education Foundation, in Bengaluru, India to collaborate on Engineering services for the design, certification, and manufacture of ME-1A amphibious aircraft for the global market.

Mallard Enterprises is developing the ME-1A, a multi-role composite hull amphibious aircraft for operators who are looking for the world’s most versatile Runway Independent Aircraft. The ME-1A is a regional amphibious airplane, which can land and take-off from land or water, with a standard seating capacity of 19 passengers offering low emissions, low noise pollution, faster speed, and lower operating costs on short haul routes. It will have a range of 350 nautical miles (648 kilometres) with 19 passengers and luggage and an extended range of 1050 nautical miles (1945 kilometres) with 6 passengers all including typical airline fuel reserves.

“After evaluating the capabilities and working with the faculty and students of GAT, we are very excited to continue collaborating with the team to expand our current relationship by signing this MOU. This is a part of our overall Make in India strategy to support India’s UDAN program of last mile connectivity,” said Mohan Chunduri, Co- Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Mallard Enterprises.

“It has been a great experience learning from this new generation of future engineers. We are looking forward to continuing to learn together,” said Dan Peabody, Co- Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Mallard Enterprises.

‘’I am delighted to announce the establishment of a ground-breaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Mallard Enterprises and Global Academy of Technology, Bangalore. This collaboration aims to enhance our Aircraft Design Engineering program by integrating industry expertise and providing valuable opportunities for our students. Together, we look forward to fostering innovation, research, and practical learning experiences that will shape the future of aviation technology. This partnership signifies a significant step towards bridging the gap between academia and industry in the pursuit of excellence,” said D. N. Ranapratap Reddy, Principal, Global Academy of Technology