October 16, 2023, South Saint Paul, Minnesota – Wipaire announced at this year’s NBAA-BACE they have received a Technical Standard Order [TSO] C27A approval from the FAA for their Wipline C13000S composite seaplane floats. These floats are for the DHC-6 Twin Otter Series.
“The TSO is the first step of approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for our composite float program. It validates the design and production data submitted by our development team,” said Brad Kutz, Vice President of Engineering for Wipaire. “We met our goal of reducing weight from the existing Wipline 13000 seaplane floats. From here we will continue towards FAA approval for installation.”
“We are thrilled to achieve this milestone. We did not just develop a float, we also gained significant composite expertise which will support the next generation of our products. I am proud of our engineers and additional team members’ work on this project, and I am excited to see us approach the finish line as we embark on flight testing and fine tuning the fit and finish of this product, leading to final Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for installation on the Twin Otter,” said Chuck Wiplinger, President and CEO of Wipaire.
What you need to know about the Wipline C13000S Floats
- They are made of aerospace grade carbon fiber
- This design is for seaplane (straight) floats
- Designed to install on a DHC-6 Twin Otter Series with same strut package
- First float certified to the recently updated TSO C27A
About Wipaire
For over 65 years, Wipaire has been engineering and manufacturing a full line of aircraft floats for all sizes of aircraft from the Piper Cub to the De Havilland Twin Otter, including most single-engine Cessna aircraft. Additionally, Wipaire has engineered over one hundred Supplemental Type Certificated modifications. As a leading aircraft service provider, Wipaire offers maintenance, avionics installation and repair, custom interior design and installation, and exterior paint refinishing. All these services, along with the aircraft sales team are in South Saint Paul, Minnesota. Wipaire is recognized for its quality products and engineering expertise.
