Wipaire to Present Seaplane Rating Scholarship at Oshkosh

January 7, 2015 - South St. Paul, Minnesota-based Wipaire Inc. will present the first Ben Wiplinger Memorial Seaplane Rating Scholarship, honoring its founder and celebrating the company’s 55th year of continuous aircraft float production. The company plans to award the scholarship - valued at $1,500 - in July at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015.

“As a longtime and active member of the seaplane community, we continually invest in people and products to better serve the industry,” said Chuck Wiplinger, Wipaire president and COO and grandson of the founder. “It only seems natural for us to share the incredible world of seaplane flying with the next generation of seaplane pilots and enthusiasts.”

The seaplane rating scholarship will be paid directly to the winner’s designated flight school. Applicants must hold a sport pilot certificate or higher, and must submit an application form along with a 500-word essay on why the applicant would like to learn to fly seaplanes, how the scholarship will help in career or aviation industry aspirations, and a statement of financial need. Applicants must also submit a copy of their pilot certificate, and a copy of current medical (if applicable).

You must be a legal resident of the United States or Canada (excluding the province of Quebec) to be eligible. Complete the application form available at the Wipaire website and submit no later than June 30, 2015.