Benjamin Cook Shipps

Benjamin "Ben" Cook Shipps is a prominent FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and the President of Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base in Winter Haven, Florida. His entry into aviation is a celebrated story of resilience; born with significant physical limb deformities, Shipps defied medical expectations to secure his pilot’s license in high school before graduating with a degree in Commercial Aviation from Liberty University. Since entering the industry, he has amassed thousands of flight hours, including specialized experience flying deHavilland Beavers for Part 135 charter operations in the demanding wilderness of Alaska.

Shipps currently oversees one of the world’s busiest seaplane training facilities, where he maintains a rigorous focus on safety and cockpit decision-making. Holding Commercial, Instrument, and Flight Instructor (CFI) certificates, he has personally trained nearly 1,000 students and now conducts hundreds of practical tests annually as an examiner. His professional philosophy is rooted in his own experience of adapting to the aircraft, fostering a safety mindset that emphasizes environmental awareness and technical proficiency. Beyond his administrative duties, Shipps is a respected leader in the general aviation community, dedicated to preserving the legacy of floatplane flying while ensuring the highest standards of pilot certification.