Midwest Flyer Magazine

Wipaire Receives Approval For Wipline 8750 FloatsSOUTH ST. PAUL, MINN. – After25 years in production, Wipaire hasshelved the Wipline 8000 float for theall-new Wipline 8750 float, whichwas certified in July 2012. Wipaire,Inc.’s engineering team drew upon thesuccesses of the Wipline 7000 and 8000floats to reinvent a new float for theWhat can we learn from thisInterpretation? For starters, theregulations distinguish between “acting”as PIC and “logging flight time” as PIC.So, it is possible that by “acting” as PICQuick Access To WeatherWithout A LoginMany online flight planning sitesalso offer the option to take a quicklook at an airport’s weather, but if youwant a site that doesn’t require a loginto check on information like METARs,TAFs, and prog charts, Aviation DigitalData Service (ADDS) is a great option.ADDS is a National Weather Service siteand has the information organized intotabs across the top for various weatherproducts, as well as other options onthe left side of the screen. Using the siteto obtain basic weather information isfairly straightforward, but there are afew unique and neat tools on the site aswell. The METARs and TAFs Java Tools,located under the “Java Tools” tab orby clicking on “METARs” or “TAFs,”allows users to graphically display thestation observations or forecasts as wellas other information of interest bothgraphically and as text when the mouseis pointed at a station on the map. Users9.""#$%$&'(&)*')+,)-"./0.""+123)&'"456)-"+#%#718)"""Cessna 208 Caravan.One very significant benefit of theWipline 8750 is a gross weight increaseto 8,750 pounds on floats, an increaseof 390 to 750 pounds dependingupon aircraft configuration. Thisweight increase was engineered withthe short-haul operator in mind andincludes no landing weight limitationon water or land. The Wipline 8750float also features an improved maingear retraction mechanism designedfor low-maintenance operations and animproved oleo design. The extensiveredesign also includes more buoyancy inthe aft of the float and a modified hulldesign for improved handling in roughwater. These improvements ensure thatyou can have the responsibility of aPIC, along with the potential liability,but you can’t log that flight time asPIC. Doesn’t seem fair, but that’s whatthe regulations provide.© Reigel Law Firm, Ltd.-AeroLegal Services 2002-Present. Allcan zoom in to their area of interest andcontrol the number of sites displayed onthe map.For a quick, long-term forecast, the“Weather” page on our website alsoincludes sites like Intellicast and TheWeather Channel. These non-aviationsites provide long-term forecasts byday as well as hourly forecasts. Whilenot aviation-specific, they are greatsupplements to other information,especially when looking to plan a flighta few days out. Both of these sitesalso provide radar information andinteractive maps.Why You ShouldStill Call For NOTAMs & TFRsEven with a large number of QICPweather briefing providers available, itis still a good idea to call Flight Servicefor an abbreviated briefing just beforedeparture to get updated NOTAM andTFR information. This informationcan change quite quickly, and while theQICP information providers shouldthe Cessna 208 Caravan will continueto serve both commercial and privateoperators at the highest levels of utility.For over 50 years, Wipaire hasbeen engineering and manufacturinga full line of aircraft floats for all sizesof aircraft from the Piper Cub to theViking Twin Otter, including mostsingle-engine Cessna aircraft. Inaddition, Wipaire has engineered over100 Supplemental Type Certificatedmodifications for improvedperformance, convenience, andreliability. As a leading aircraft serviceprovider, Wipaire offers maintenance,avionics installation and repair, custominterior design and installation, andexterior paint refinishing all in oneconvenient location (www.wipaire.com).rights reserved.EDITORS NOTE: Greg Reigel is anattorney with Reigel Law Firm, Ltd., alaw firm located in Hopkins, Minnesota,which represents clients in aviationand business law matters (www.aerolegalservices.com, 952-238-1060,greigel@aerolegalservices.com). have current information, it is still bestto double-check with Flight Service toprevent missing an important piece ofinformation.The best time to choose and getfamiliar with an online briefing serviceis well in advance of needing to useit. Take some time at home or at theairport to try some of the resourcesavailable on the Internet. If you areinterested in a flight planning service,such as DUAT or DUATS, sign upfor an account and get familiar withit. This will make it much easier whenthe time comes to actually plan a flightor find the weather information youneed. Visit our website, www.mndot.gov/aero, and click on “Weather” onthe right side to find the homepage forthe new MnWAS computers and linksto the sites discussed in this article, aswell as other aviation-related websites.Contact information is also availableon that page if you would like to makesuggestions about links for the pageor have questions about the MnWASprogram.