Canadair CL-415

CL-415
Role Amphibious water bomber
Manufacturer Canadair
Bombardier Aerospace
First flight December 6, 1993
Introduction 1994
Status Active service
Primary users Protezione Civile (Italy)
Sécurité Civile (France)
Hellenic Air Force
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (Ontario)
Produced 1993-2015
Number built 90[1]
Unit cost
$37 million CAD[2]
Developed from Canadair CL-215

The Canadair CL-415, later known as the Bombardier 415, is an amphibious aircraft from Canada purpose-built as a water bomber. It is an aircraft designed and built specifically for aerial firefighting and is based on the company's CL-215. It is marketed in the United States as the "Superscooper."

Design and development

In 1987, following market trends towards more efficient, powerful and reliable turboprop powerplants, Canadair undertook the task of retrofitting 17 CL-215 airframes with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF engines, providing a 15% power increase over the original piston engines as well as enhanced reliability and safety. The retrofitted aircraft were designated CL-215T and also featured many aerodynamic and systems improvements including powered flight controls, cockpit air conditioning, as well as upgraded electrical and avionics systems. The most notable external features of the CL-215T retrofit were the aerodynamic additions to the wings and empennage.

Based on the success of the CL-215, the company introduced the CL-415, a new-build production series beginning in 1993. The CL-415 has an updated cockpit, aerodynamics enhancements and changes to the water-release system as well, creating a modern firefighting amphibious flying boat for use in detecting and suppressing forest fires.

Compared to the CL-215, the CL-415 has increased operating weight and speed, yielding improved productivity and performance. The 415 can scoop up to 6,140 litres (1350 Imperial gal or 1,620 US gal) of water from a nearby water source, mix it with a chemical foam if desired, and drop it on a fire without having to return to base to refill its tanks. The CL-415 was specifically developed to provide the capability to deliver massive quantities of suppressant in quick response to fires. The aircraft is built for reliability and longevity, with use of corrosion-resistant materials. The new 415GR has higher operating weights while the CL-415 multi-role is available for use in a paramilitary search and rescue role and utility transport.

The CL-415 was assembled at the Bombardier Aerospace facility near North Bay/Jack Garland Airport in North Bay, Ontario, where the planes can be seen testing on Lake Nipissing. On June 20, 2016, Viking Air purchased the CL-415 type certificate from Bombardier along with the older CL-215 and CL-215T.[3][4][5] The acquisition was finalised on 3 October.[6]

Operational history

The CL-415 first flew on December 6, 1993, with the first deliveries in November 1994.[7] Orders from several countries soon followed. Derived from its predecessor's nickname, it acquired the name, "Super Scooper" in light of its greatly enhanced performance as a water bomber and fire suppresser. In recognition of its abilities, the aircraft was awarded the prestigious Batefuegos de oro (gold fire extinguisher). The award citation in part read "This is the most efficient tool for the aerial combat of forest fires, key to the organization of firefighting in a large number of countries. The continuous improvements to meet the needs of forest firefighting have made these aircraft the aerial means most in demand over more than 30 years."[8]

Of the 95 built, seven have been removed from service due to accidents.[9]

The aircraft requires 1,340 metres (4,400 ft) of flyable area to descend from 15 metres (49 ft) altitude, scoop 6,137 litres of water during a 12-second 410 metres (1,350 ft) long run on the water at 70 knots (130 km/h; 81 mph), then climb back to 15 m altitude. The aircraft can also pick up partial loads in smaller areas and can turn while scooping, if necessary.[10]

Variants

CL-415
415 MP
(Multi-Purpose)
415 GR

Operators

World operators of the CL-415
A CL-415 firefighting aircraft right before refilling its water tank in Živogošće, Croatia [11]
Ontario MNR 415 at Johnstown, PA (KJST)
A Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario) CL-415 empties its tanks into Lake Ontario.
Two Hellenic Air Force CL-415 refilling their water tanks off the coast of Atlit, while in operation fighting the 2010 Mount Carmel forest fire
A CL-415 of the French Sécurité Civile dropping water over a fire
Italian CL-415 operated by Viligi del Fuoco refilling in Baia delle Ninfe. Note the overflow ports under the wings spilling excess water.
 Canada
 Croatia
 France
 Greece
 Italy
 Malaysia
 Morocco
 Spain
 United States

Incidents

ASN safety database[22]
date serial registration operator country fatalities location
17 nov. 1997 2025 F-ZBFQ Sécurité Civile France 1 offshore near Marseilles
16 Aug. 2003 2008 I-DPCN SOREM, leased from Protezione Civile Italy 0 near Esine
8 Mar. 2004 2018 F-ZBEZ Sécurité Civile France 2 Lake of Sainte-Croix
18 Mar. 2005 2051 I-DPCK SOREM, leased from Protezione Civile Italy 2 Forte dei Marmi
1 Aug. 2005 2011 F-ZBEO Sécurité Civile France 2 Calvi, Haute-Corse
23 Jul. 2007 2055 2055 Hellenic Air Force Greece 2 Euboea
23 Jul. 2007 2045 I-DPCX SOREM, leased from Protezione Civile Italy 1 Sant'Erasmo

Specifications (415)

Data from Bombardier Aerospace Website

General characteristics

Performance

Avionics

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

Notes

  1. ↑ 86+4 Aircraft delivered worldwide
  2. ↑ Bombardier CL 415 cost Archived March 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ "Viking Air to buy type certificates for Bombardier amphibians". Flight International. June 21, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Bombardier Announces a Definitive Agreement for the Sale of its Amphibious Aircraft Program to Viking Air Limited" (Press release). Bombardier. June 20, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Viking Air Limited Acquires Worldwide CL-415 Waterbomber Program from Bombardier" (Press release). Viking Air. June 20, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Viking completes acquisition of Bombardier's amphibious aircraft programme". Flight Global. 3 October 2016.
  7. ↑ "Bombardier 415." aerospace.bombardier.com. Retrieved: April 13, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Bombardier 415 SuperScooper Amphibious Aircraft." gizmag.com. Retrieved: April 13, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Canadair CL-415." Archived December 5, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. baaa-acro.com. Retrieved: July 29, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Firefighting Techniques and Technologies: Water scooping." bombardier.com. Retrieved: April 13, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Croatia." deagel.com. Retrieved: July 29, 2011.
  12. ↑ Provincial Aerospace | Provincial Aerospace Awarded $4M Contract to Modify Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Archived July 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  13. ↑ Keijsper 2008, p. 40.
  14. 1 2 3 http://www.bombardier.com/en/aerospace/amphibious-aircraft/status-report.html
  15. ↑ Keijsper 2008, p. 41.
  16. ↑ Vogelaar, Rob."Bombardier Sells Four Bombardier 415 Amphibious Firefighting Aircraft to an Undisclosed Customer." aviationnews.eu, March 28, 2011. Retrieved: July 29, 2011.
  17. 1 2 Keijsper 2008, p. 43.
  18. ↑ "Fighting fire with some super friends". Los Angeles County. September 14, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2014. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  19. ↑ Bartholomew, Dana (August 26, 2013). "Canadian Super Scoopers arrive early in L.A. County to take on fire season". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  20. ↑ "County leases fire-fighting planes from Quebec." SignOnSanDiego. Retrieved: July 29, 2011.
  21. ↑ http://finance.yahoo.com/news/bombardier-announces-first-u-bombardier-153640023.html
  22. ↑ "Accident list: Canadair CL-415". Aviation Safety Network. Flight Safety Foundation.

Bibliography

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