Fire Boss, a private Minnesota-based company specializing in amphibious scooping aircraft floats, has recently named Air Tractor Europe S.L. of Valencia, Spain as the “Top Fire Boss Distributor.”
The distinction marks the company as the world leader in distribution of Air Tractor AT-802 Fire Boss amphibious firefighting aircraft equipped with Wipaire designed and manufactured Wipline 10000 floats. Under the leadership of Vicente Huerta, Jr., President, and Hugo Arceo, Sales Manager, Air Tractor Europe S.L. has posted sales of 24 new AT-802 Fire Boss amphibious firefighting aircraft.
In addition, they have seen the modification of ten AT-802 land planes into Fire Boss amphibians since 2005. All 34 of these aircraft are now in operation in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, and Macedonia, where they have been accumulating many flight hours while fighting wildfires and saving lives and property.
To mark their extraordinary accomplishments, Jamie Sargent, Vice President of Sales for Fire Boss LLC, presented Mr. Huerta with an outstanding award – a silver statue of an American eagle with a placard that reads: “Our sincerest appreciation to an extraordinary organization, Air Tractor Europe, for a job well done as the top Fire Boss distributor.”
This elegant statue was graciously accepted by Air Tractor Europe S.L., where it is now a symbol of prestige and the professional success of its employees. The “Top Fire Boss Distributor” award also acknowledges Francisco Alandi and David Gonzalez for their exemplary efforts and contribution to Air Tractor Europe’s sales team.
In October 2010, Fire Boss LLC renewed its Fire Boss distributor agreement with Air Tractor Europe for another term. Vicente Huerta and Hugo Arceo closed the deal with an order for six new Fire Boss systems, fifteen 1,600 SHP engine kits and one stall improvement array kit.
The engines and stall kit are Supplementary Type Certificated created by Wipaire for AT-802 float and land planes. During the signing ceremony in Valencia, Jamie Sargent remarked that he was extremely pleased and proud to extend Fire Boss LLC’s business relationship with Air Tractor Europe. Jamie congratulated Vicente Huerta for his company’s remarkable success and ongoing commitment to the Fire Boss program.
Vicente Huerta prepared a prerecorded video message for presentation at Wipaire’s Annual Employee Meeting on December 23, 2010. In his message, Vicente congratulated Charles “Chuck” Wiplinger on his recent appointment as the new President of Wipaire, Inc.
Vicente stated that Chuck’s new position as President will be a complete success for Wipaire and Fire Boss LLC because of Chuck’s experience and dedication to those companies. Vicente also remarked that Chuck is ready for his new challenge because he was taught by an excellent teacher … his father Bob “Wip” Wiplinger.
Chuck Wiplinger is now the third Wiplinger family member to assume the role of company President, having succeeded his father “Wip”, the current CEO, and grandfather Ben, the founder of Wipaire.
Air Tractor Europe, a division of Avialsa, has been in business since 1965 and working closely with Fire Boss since becoming the first official distributor in 2005. With nearly 100 employees, Avialsa provides aircraft sales and rental, parts sales and technical and maintenance support for a wide range of aircraft.
They have a fully authorized avionics and propeller shop encompassed in their 18,200 square feet of hangar space at Valencia Airport.
