Wipaire Celebrates 200th Fire Boss Delivery

Minnesota-based company marks a significant milestone in aerial firefighting innovation.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, September 26, 2025 at 03:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The employees of Wipaire celebrate the delivery of Fire Boss No. 200. [Courtesy: Wipaire]

Key Takeaways:

Wipaire, a Minnesota-based company renowned for its float systems and modifications, celebrated the 200th delivery of its Fire Boss aerial firefighting aircraft on September 23.
The Fire Boss is an Air Tractor AT-802 aircraft modified by Wipaire with a specialized amphibious water scooping system, enabling it to carry 820 gallons of water.
Developed and certified in 2003, Fire Boss aircraft are utilized globally across North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia to combat wildland fires.

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Wipaire, the Minnesota-based company famous for float systems and modifications, is celebrating the 200th delivery of a Fire Boss aerial firefighting aircraft. The milestone occurred on September 23 at Wipaire headquarters in South Saint Paul.

Wipaire, the parent company of Fire Boss, was created after World War II by Ben Wiplinger, a Minnesota native and aviation mechanic and engineer. During World War II while serving in the Army Air Corps in New Mexico, he developed a pre-oiling system for bombers. After the war Wiplinger returned to the Land of 10,000 Lakes and started an aviation company and FBO that converted military aircraft for civilian use.