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.
After WWII, Ben returned once again to his roots in Minnesota and began converting surplus military aircraft into corporate aircraft at South St. Paul Airport. By the close of the 1940s, Ben was operating Wiplinger Aircraft Service, an FBO offering fuel service, aircraft sales, maintenance, restoration and upholstery.
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.
Milestones
- 1946 – Wiplinger Aircraft Service
After the war Ben bought surplus aircraft parts and Stearman aircraft to resell as civil aircraft. Soon he was doing maintenance on Norseman’s, Beech Staggerwings and Lodestars. Then Ben started an FBO selling Cubs, Taylorcrafts and Aeroncas.
- 1947 – Wip-Liner Introduced
Ben saw a need for executive aircraft in the “pre corporate jet” era and he developed a high class interior fitting for DC-3’s and Lodestars. Ben sold his first “Wip-Liner” in 1947.
- 1951 – Ben’s First Seaplane
In 1951 Ben purchased his first seaplane, a Piper Cub on Edo 1400 floats that Wip still owns today, now on Wipline 2100 floats.
- 1959 – Ben Sells FBO and Starts Building Floats
After having trouble with his Edo Float’s gear retraction system Ben decided to design his own. He designed and built a hydraulic landing gear that he began selling as a modification. Eventually he decided to put all his ideas for improvement together and build a new float. He sold his FBO business and got to work designing and building these innovative new floats.
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.
After WWII, Ben returned once again to his roots in Minnesota and began converting surplus military aircraft into corporate aircraft at South St. Paul Airport. By the close of the 1940s, Ben was operating Wiplinger Aircraft Service, an FBO offering fuel service, aircraft sales, maintenance, restoration and upholstery.
Ben saw a need for executive aircraft in the “pre corporate jet” era and he developed a high class interior fitting for DC-3’s and Lodestars. Ben sold his first “Wip-Liner” in 1947. 
The 80’s kicked off with the introduction of the Wipline 6000 Float for the de Havilland Beaver in 1982. More than 10 modifications for the Beaver were introduced over then next few years allowing Wipaire to transform the Beaver to a true Seaplane workhorse.
The 90’s saw many new modifications and float certifications. The Cessna 206 co-pilot door and “Wip” tips wing extensions, gross weight increases for the Piper Cub and Cessna Caravan, and numerous other modifications were certified.
The “Boss Beaver” was introduced in 1996. It combined a selection of our beaver modifications, a turbine engine and our 6000 floats to create a true performance seaplane.
Wipaire received Supplemental Type Certification (STC) of their most recent addition to the Wipline family of products, the Wipline 7000 Amphibious Float installed on the Quest KODIAK, on June 11th, 2010. The Quest KODIAK certification program took roughly three years to complete and included 287 test flights, totaling 162 hours of flying. The hulls are modeled after the successful Wipline 13000 Floats, which have improved rough water handling qualities for float-equipped aircraft. The new floats include the traditional Wipline flat top deck for easy loading and safety. The main gear system has been completely redesigned, which improves reliability and makes for easy maintenance.
