Family Owned For Three Generations, The Tradition
Continues
Robbie Culver
Wipaire, Inc. of South St.Paul, MN, is celebrating 50 years of
float design and manufacturing in a family-owned business that now
spans three generations of the Wiplinger family. In a news
conference at EAA's Airventure Oshkosh 2010, Wipaire reviewed the
companies history, discussed the current product offerings, and
were proud that their family-owned business has grown into a
thriving aviation manufacturer and service provider.
Bernard "Ben" Wiplinger
Bernard "Ben" Wiplinger founded Wipline, Inc. in 1960 for the
purpose of designing, certifying, and manufacturing the Wipline
3900 float for the Cessna 185. The company first established
operations in an old World War II barracks building that was
located at the edge of the South St. Paul, MN airport. By working
with the staff of nearby 3M on a metal bonding technique that
allowed for fewer rivets, Wiplinger was able to produce a smoother,
lighter float.
In 1962, the first set of floats were sold to Ontario Central
Airlines. As the company grew, the second generation of
Wiplinger's, son Bob "Wip" Wiplinger, joined the company. Wip
earned an aeronautical engineering degree from the University of
Minnesota. By early 1970, the company had expanded to the point
where the original facility was too small.
Located on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, the new
facility had 23.000 square feet and allowed construction of the
Wipline Seaplane Base (09Y). In 1974, Wipaire, Inc. was created as
a certified Cessna Service Center. In 1979, the two entities merged
as Wip purchased Wipline, Inc. from his father. Avionics and paint
departments were added in 1989. By 2001, the company had again
outgrown its facility and relocated again to Fleming Field in South
St. Paul.
Wipaire engineers and manufactures floats for all sizes of
aircraft, ranging from a Piper Cub to the deHavilland Twin Otter,
and holds over 100 STC's for modifications to certified aircraft.
With a family tradition of engineering excellence, Wipaire has
produced 1750 sets of floats over the past 50 years. The company
has grown from 2 employees to more than 280 with over 1800 total
years of aviation experience, and from 800 square feet of space to
over 160,000 square feet.
Charlie, Sara, and Kaleb Wiplinger
Charlie Wiplinger, Executive Vice President of Wipaire, Inc. and
his wife Sara, who fills the role of marketing manager, held the
news conference with young son Kaleb in Sara's arms - the fourth
generation of the Wiplinger clan. The company also recently
announced the certification of the Wipline 7000 for the Quest
Kodiak single-engine turbine, a custom executive interior for the
Twin Otter, and a single-point refueling system for the Cesna
Caravan that is compatible with the Garmin G1000.
To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Wipaire is giving away a
set of Wipline 2100 floats. Registration is available at the
Wipaire booth at EAA Airventure Oshkosh and other trade shows. The
winner will be announced at the AOPA summit in Long Beach, CA on
November 13, 2010.
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