WIPAIRE, INC.
LEESBURG, FLORIDA

Dan Gutz - Product Sales Director - US, Canada and Caribbean - Large Floats Barb Volovsek - Product Sales Coordinator Let Wipaire help you turn that “no” into a “yes.” Book your installation now so you can check “get compliant” off of your to-do list without missing your favorite flying season. To get started complete a simple questionnaire about your aircraft’s current avionics, and your mission needs. Then our avionics experts will prepare three quotes covering a range of equipment options. Select a proposal and book your installation at either Wipaire’s South St. Paul, Minnesota or Leesburg, Florida location. Exact installation times may vary based upon equipment selected, but most general aviation aircraft can expect to become ADS-B compliant in only 1-2 weeks. Over 100,000 general aviation aircraft will be required to comply with the ADS-B Out mandate. The FAA reports only about a third of the fleet is currently ready for the January 1, 2020 deadline, which the administration is holding firm, citing adequate time to equip from the 2010 announcement as well as the introduction of numerous more affordable systems. Owners and operators not in compliance with the mandate by January 1, 2020 will encounter reduced airspace access. Wipaire’s technical support and part sales team is here for you. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, our goal is to ensure you can always get the help you need. Our experts can help you with parts orders, technical support questions, as well as provide information on service letters and service kits that apply to your float model. We’re your local parts solution – with the experts to help you get back in the air fast. Wipaire – More Than Meets the Eye There is much more to the Wipaire operation than float manufacturing. Wipaire is also a full service aircraft repair/modification facility, Cessna Authorized Service Station, Pratt & Whitney gas turbine engine overhaul & repair. Our South St. Paul, MN facility is capable of performing many different services for aircraft including modification, maintenance, avionics, interiors, and paint as well as complete service to all float products. To date, Wipaire has developed over 100 Supplemental Type Certificates (STC’s) for the modification of aircraft. These FAA approved modifications span the spectrum to include Wipline float installations, Wipline AirGlide ski installations, Cessna 206 right hand door installations, engine/propeller upgrades, gross weight increases, cabin extensions, battery relocations, instrument panels, and many more. Through partnerships, Wipaire has also made other aircraft-related services convenient to its customers. Lake and Air Training & Pilot Shop is located in Wipaire’s main office at Fleming Field Airport. In more recent years, Wipaire has found a niche that helps diversify its market. We have developed a float system designed to fight forest fires. In the 1990’s Wipaire collaborated with the Province of Ontario to create a water bomber float for a Twin Otter Aircraft. This concept has evolved into a sister company, Fire Boss LLC. The water-bombing float has been redesigned to fit a turbine 802 Air Tractor. The system enables the water tank to be re-filled at a lake with a touch-and-go technique, and then dropped on a nearby forest fire. The Wipaire Campus B. Production Hangar Our facility and paint technician talent has the ability to strip and paint any aircraft from a single engine aircraft to a small business jet, whether matching your floats to your airplane or indulging in a complete makeover for a Citation 650 or rotorcraft. K. Production Facility Opened in 2012, this modern facility houses both small and large float production. Floats are also prepared for installation or shipment. This 22,000 square foot facility houses the majority of our machinists and craftsmen in float construction. This is where you see our professionals at work, building Wipline Floats. This production facility is located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Inver Grove Heights, MN. This 23,000 square foot facility houses operations in support of the main production facility located adjacent to the airport. To be able to serve increasing demand, our maintenance department expanded their capacities by establishing Wipaire’s first service center in 2013. Float installations, general maintenance, interior installations, avionics installations, and installations of select Wipaire modifications are performed at this central Florida facility. Ben Wiplinger had a strong interest in aviation long before he began working on Wipline floats. As a child, he built his own glider in the backyard of his parent’s home. Out of concern for his safety, his parents dismantled the aircraft before he could take it on its maiden voyage. His passion for aviation grew stronger as he went on to study aerospace engineering at the University of Minnesota before moving to California to work for Douglas Aircraft for a period of time. He then returned to Minnesota to work for Northwest Air Activities and Peterson-Curtiss Flying Service at the St. Paul Airport. At the age of 25, Ben was one of only six certified aircraft mechanics working in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Ben was drafted into the Army Air Forces of the United States before Pearl Harbor and spent time working in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he developed a pre-oiling system to help the performance of the bombers. He was awarded several decorations by the military for this engineering contribution. During the 1950s, Ben grew and expanded his scope of services. He purchased his first seaplane in 1951 and began flying north on fishing expeditions, thus beginning his passion for seaplane flying. He even developed an improved hydraulic system for his Edo floats. Ben sold 3M their first corporate aircraft, N3M, in 1956 while still pursuing his interest in seaplanes. One of 3M’s current aircraft still carries the same registration number. In 1959, Ben sold his FBO business to focus on the next chapter of Wiplinger Aircraft.