Wipaire Delivers 150th Set of Wipline 13000 Floats to Trans Maldivian Airways

Trans Maldivian Airways has a large fleet of de Havilland Twin Otter floatplanes. [Courtesy: Wipaire Inc.]

Wipaire Inc. said it delivered its 150th set of Wipline 13000 floats to Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) this month. The aircraft services company, based in South Saint Paul, Minnesota, said the floats, built for the de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, are designed to perform well in rough water and with heavy loads.

“Achieving the milestone of delivering 150 sets of Wipline 13000 floats is validation of their durability and reliability, as well as the popularity of the Twin Otter airplane. We genuinely appreciate Trans Maldivian Airways' partnership with us, said Wipaire president and CEO Chuck Wiplinger. “Every Wipaire employee takes pride in the design and manufacture of these floats and the commitment of TMA to choose Wiplines for their fleet,” he added.

The large 13000 float was certified in 1992 and gave transport companies a way to carry more people longer distances on a single flight. When equipped with these floats, the de Havilland Twin Otter became the go-to floatplane platform for Trans Maldivian.

Twin Otters with Wipline 13000 floats have long been the go-to aircraft for TMA. [Courtesy: Wipaire Inc.]

“We grew tourism in the Maldives through seaplane operations. Wipaire has been a reliable supplier through this journey. We celebrate the delivery of the 150th set which are installed on our 59th Twin Otter,” said Stanley Ranjit, chief commercial officer for Trans Maldivian Airways.

Wipaire has designed and manufactured a range of aircraft floats for more than 65 years, including models made to fit aircraft from the Piper Cub to the Twin Otter. The company also offers maintenance, avionics installation and repair, custom interior design and installation, and exterior paint refinishing services, and has engineered more than 100 supplemental type certificated modifications.

READ MORE: FAA Issues Emergency AD for de Havilland Otters

13000 Floats Twin Otter Wipaire Wipline

Jonathan WelshAuthor

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4