Wipaire’s 50 years have taken it from a small aircraft float-maker to a major general-aviation engineering firm.

Sixteen different designs of aircraft floats—nine of them still in production; a range of aircraft skis; aircraft interiors; paint; and a half-century of aviation-engineering expertise.

The one place where all these traits converge: in South St. Paul, Minnesota, at Wipaire Inc.

Five decades after company founder and family patriarch Bernard “Ben” Wiplinger started work on his first floats—for the Cessna 185—the firm is celebrating that anniversary all year.

Son Bob—“Wip” to his many friends—and grandchildren Nancy and Chuck continue the traditions started by Ben, who began designing in 1960.

With nine float models, straight and amphibious, skis, and other business lines, Wipaire has managed to hold on solidly when many another family-held businesses either faded away or have been absorbed by another company, its identity lost to time.

In celebration of the company’s success, some lucky winner will receive a set of Wipline 2100 floats before year’s end. You can enter for a chance to win here at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh or at other events around the country. The drawing for the floats will take place at the AOPA Summit in Long Beach, California, on November 13.