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Sep 2007

Epic Aircraft, Vijay Mallya enter partnership

      Atlanta/Mumbai: Aeroplane manufacturer Epic Aircraft has entered into partnership with Indian billionaire and owner of Kingfisher Airlines Vijay Mallya. Rick Schrameck, President and CEO of Epic Aircraft said, "Epic was really looking for a strategic partner, not just an investor. Mallya now has a significant interest in our company, and we will immediately benefit from his relationships with a variety of companies, including Airbus and Pratt & Whitney." The deal provides Epic the ability to accelerate the process of bringing the company's growing line of aircraft to the certified market, as well as strengthening the company's relationships with customers and vendors world wide. Mallya's airline was among the first to order the new Airbus A-380 and is one of the pan-European aircraft manufacturer's largest customers.

     Mallya is also Chairman of United Breweries Group, a multinational conglomerate of more than sixty companies. His passions include aviation and cars. Mallya has won races on the professional international car racing circuits. Schrameck, who also has holds records for wins in automobile racing and from the pylons at the Reno Air Races, acknowledges that he and Mallya have a lot of common interests to set the stage for a great working relationship. Vijay Mallya said, "I am very excited about the phenomenal opportunities that Epic has in the industry today and this strategic investment will pave the way for the company to embark on an unprecedented growth trajectory". "In fact it's a great relationship," Schrameck added. "Vijay has already brought Airbus into the role of consultants for our certification programs." Epic is in the advanced stages of flight testing for the Dynasty, the 1200hp single-engine turboprop. The company recently unveiled two new Very Light Jets, the twin-engine Elite and the single-engine Victory. The jets will begin their certification process immediately following certification of the Dynasty. Epic has recently experienced an unprecedented surge in sales, booking more than $23 million dollars worth of orders at the Sun 'n Fun fly-in April of this year, then selling another $40 million worth of aircraft only 3 months later at AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
-Sep 27, 2007