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Unveiling the Thrilling World of WYP Aviation Wingboard: A Sky-High Adventure Experience
In the season 9 premiere of Shark Tank, Aaron Wypyszynski, the founder of WYP Aviation, introduces his innovative wing board, a wakeboard-like attachment that is towed behind an aircraft, offering a thrilling experience for riders.
WYP Aviation was a pioneering company founded by Aaron “Wyp” Wypyszynski, blending his passion for building, flying, and innovation.
WYP Aviation aimed to revolutionize airborne sports with its Wingboard, which is referred to as “wakeboarding for the skies.”. Additionally, the company provided development services to support aspiring inventors in realizing their ideas.
The wing board is connected to a tow line, allowing the rider to take off behind a plane and control pitch and steering using their body. The typical landing method involves a parachute, but skilled riders can land behind the plane and still be towed.
Aaron’s passion for flying began at the age of 12, leading him to pursue a career in aviation after being unable to qualify as an Air Force pilot due to his height. He specializes in flight test engineering with a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering.
Aaron developed the WYP Aviation Wingboard as a tribute to Kit Cloudkicker from Disney’s TaleSpin series.
The Wingboard project began in 2013 with 1/10th scale prototypes and is now in its third phase, involving a full-scale prototype for wind tunnel testing.
Market as ‘wakeboarding for the skies,’ the WYP Aviation Wingboard aims to provide adventure enthusiasts with an exhilarating experience, simulating the feeling of wakeboarding in the clouds.
The design features long, tapered wings for optimal aerodynamics, allowing riders to soar thousands of feet in the air alongside planes.
The parachute opens automatically when the rider completes the ride, safely lowering him or her to the ground.
Aaron Wypyszynski, also known as “WPY,” is the mastermind behind the flying wakeboard, utilizing his expertise as a flight test engineer and manufacturer at WYP Aviation.
His vision for WindBoards as the next evolution in aerial adventure sports is rooted in his extensive experience in aerospace engineering and passion for aviation.
By pushing the boundaries of air travel, WYP Aviation aims to revolutionize recreational aviation experiences, building on Aaron’s background as a Flight Test Engineer.
The Wingboard project, initiated in 2013, gained public attention with successful model tests using scaled-down versions of the device.
As interest grew among consumers and investors, the company progressed to Phase 3 testing, aligning with their appearance on Shark Tank.
Through meticulous testing and development, WYP Aviation continues to advance the Wingboard, offering a unique and thrilling way to experience the skies.
Aaron Wypyszynski’s dedication to innovation and passion for aviation underpins the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of aerial adventure sports.
The High-Flying Dream: WYP Aviation on Shark Tank
Entrepreneur Aaron Wypyszynski pitched his unique business idea of indoor air wakeboarding on the show. He sought $500,000 for a 20% stake in his venture, WYP Aviation.
During his presentation, Aaron showcased a video featuring the WingBoard, a device attached to a plane that allowed users to wakeboard through the sky.
The sharks were initially intrigued by the concept, but their interest waned once they realized it was a robot rider instead of a person.
To address their concerns, Aaron presented a second video demonstrating the WingBoard in action indoors with a human rider.
While the indoor setting resolved some balance issues, the video revealed that the practical implementation of indoor air wakeboarding might not be as exciting as envisioned.
Aaron’s business model heavily relied on the “plane wakeboarding” concept for marketing, aiming to partner with renowned brands like Red Bull or Virgin. He planned to charge customers $80-$85 per hour for the experience.
Interestingly, despite the high hourly rate, Aaron claimed that building and operating an indoor air-wakeboarding facility would cost between $4-$5 million, which was comparatively cheaper than an indoor skydiving facility.
However, to launch the first indoor facility, Aaron needed $2-$3 million. When questioned about the cost difference, he mentioned securing a loan for the remaining amount.
This financial strategy raised doubts among the sharks about the business’s viability, leading to each shark bowing out of the deal one by one.
Lori was the first to decline, followed by Mark Cuban, expressing concerns about operational costs and his fear of heights.
Daymond John questioned the business’s return on investment timeframe and opted out, while guest shark Richard Branson, despite enjoying the product, decided not to invest.
Robert Herjavec, the final shark remaining, echoed the concerns of his counterparts, ultimately resulting in Aaron leaving the show without securing a deal.
Final Deal: No Deal between Sharks and WYP Aviation.
The Rise and Fall of WYP Aviation: An Inside Look into a Promising Venture’s Journey After Shark Tank
Wyp Aviation, despite its innovative concept and potential for entertainment, has experienced a decline in activity. The company’s social media presence peaked with its appearance on Shark Tank, as evidenced by its last Facebook post on the night of the episode and its inactive Twitter account since June 6, 2017.
Also, Wyp Aviation’s official website lacks clarity, with links redirecting users to the company’s newsletter sign-up page. The absence of an indoor facility purchase can be attributed to a lack of funding interest or investors, which does not necessarily indicate failure at this stage.
Aaron’s decision to avoid direct media attention for a product that was not immediately deliverable to clients may have impacted the company’s progress.
Collaborating with established partners like Red Bull or Virgin early on could have been a more strategic move than seeking independent investment initially.
Although there are concerns about generating too much public interest too quickly, such interest could be leveraged to attract investors and facilitate the construction of a facility.
Wyp Aviation’s approach is seen by some as short-lived, relying heavily on media exposure to build interest and prevent disappointment.
The future of Wyp Aviation remains uncertain despite garnering public attention, particularly from its appearance on Shark Tank. The company has struggled to translate this attention into financial success, including a failed Kickstarter campaign in 2014.
Aaron had mentioned plans for an indoor air tunnel with a “full-blown RETAILTAINMENT” component, but as of November 2021, neither the wind tunnel nor the wing boards have materialized, although the company continues to operate.
Wyp Aviation has made minimal progress since its Shark Tank debut, according to recent research. Aaron’s son was battling a serious form of cancer during that period, which may have resulted in the business’ apparent closure.
Aaron emphasized the family-oriented nature of Wyp Aviation, with himself managing operations and his wife coordinating behind the scenes. The couple focused on supporting their son in his fight against the disease with the help of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Unfortunately, the Wyp Aviation website is currently offline, and all social media accounts have remained dormant since the 2017 Shark Tank episode.
Moreover, Aaron has not had any new product developments since then, indicating a significant pause in the company’s activities. This update will likely mark the final chapter for Wyp Aviation.
WYP Aviation is out of business, and its effective net worth is $0.
