CL-215 / CL-415 - Variants
Based on early 1960s research study at Canadair [later Bombardier], the original concept was for a twin-engined floatplane transport, that was altered into a "firefighter" as a result of a request by forestry officials in the Quebec Service Aérien (Quebec Government Air Service) for a more effective way of delivering water to forest fires. The preliminary design, the CL-204 was a purpose-designed water bomber that evolved into an amphibian flying boat configuration, powered by two 2,100 hp·h (1,566 kW·h) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 piston engines, shoulder-mounted. The definitive design known as the CL-215 received a program go-ahead in February 1966 with its maiden flight on 23 October 1967. The first delivery was to the French civil protection agency (Sécurité Civile) in June 1969. Production of CL-215s progressed through 5 series ending in 1990.
Both the CL-215 and CL-415 are Canadian aircraft built specifically for fire suppression and are known in the U.S. as Superscoopers. CL-215 and the Bombardier 415 are amphibious aircraft, which can operate on land and water. The CL-215 was first built in 1969 and was later replaced by the Bombardier 415 in 1994. These turbine aircraft scoop water from lakes and reservoirs which can be dropped as regular water or be mixed with a foam retardant. The aircraft can also be utilized for maritime search and rescue.
The CL-215T will carry the same load and perform similar to a CL-415 The major external difference is the CL-215T has a 2 door bomb bay while the CL-415 has a 4 door bomb bay (which is better, is debated continually by the world wide operator base). The primary internal difference between the CL-415 over the CL-215T is an EFIS avionics suite in the CL-415.
CL-215
The CL-215 is a Canadian aircraft built specifically for fire suppression. The CL-215 Series 1 aircraft first flew on October 23, 1967 and is an amphibian - can operate from land or water. It can be used for mixed retardant delivery or as a "water scooper" from lakes. The CL-215 has been adapted for pest control spraying and has been used for dropping foam on oil fires.
The CL-215 was designed as a specialist firebomber, particularly suited to heavily forested regions. The Canadair CL-215 ("Scooper") was the first model in a series of firefighting flying boat amphibious aircraft built by Canadair and later Bombardier. The CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft designed to operate well at low speed and in gust-loading circumstances, as are found over forest fires. It is also able to land and take off from short, unpaved airstrips.
The amphibious aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp R-2800 radial engines and is capable of scooping up 5455 litres (1200 Imp gal/1440 US gal) of water in 12 seconds from a water source. The first delivery was to the French Civil Protection agency in June 1969. Production of piston powered CL-215’s continued through 1990 ending with the Series 5 aircraft standard.
The CL-215 is a high wing, twin engine amphibious airplane which was certificated under FAR 21.29(a)(1)(ii). It is listed on FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet A14EA. It’s primary purpose is aerial fire fighting. It has the capability of operating on land or water. On water it can scoop 1500 gallons (12,000 pounds) of water into two internal tanks, then drop it on fires. It can also be configured to spray liquids or drop chemical foam.
In September, 1997, Canadair requested that the FAA conduct an AEG operational evaluation of the CL-215 which is required prior to operation in the U.S. In January, 1998, the CL-215 Flight Standardization Board (FSB) received a CL-215 initial pilot ground school utilizing the classroom training facilities of Bombardier Aerospace Training Center located in Montreal, Canada. The FSB then received aircraft training in the CL-215, registration number C-GDRS, at Kinston, NC. It then conducted AC 120-53 test T5, which is essentially an evaluation of all the FAA Practical Test Standards maneuvers required for a person not previously qualified in a seaplane.
CL-215T
Originally the subsequent CL-215T was to be a simple turboprop powered development of the piston powered CL- 215. Canadair converted two aircraft in 1989 to act as development and technical demonstrator aircraft. The first of these flew on June 8 that year. Retrofit kits for piston CL-215 aircraft to the new “T” standard were offered, but Canadair elected not to continue with “T” Kits as the internal business case favored new production over conversion and instead developed the CL-415.
A CL-215T carries around a 300lb lower payload than the CL-415 and does not have an EFIS flight deck. The major visual difference is the CL-215T has a 2 door bomb bay while the CL-415 has a 4 door bomb bay (which is better, is debated continually by the world wide operator base)
The conversion kits convert the piston-powered CL-215 into CL-215T aircraft, powered by two PW123AF Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines. The converted aircraft will also feature improved and modernized structural components, electrical distribution system and engine fuel system, in addition to the replacement of manual flight controls by powered systems to benefit from added engine power and reduced pilot workload. Once modified, the aircraft will perform similarly to the renowned Bombardier 415 firefighting aircraft but at ½ of the cost The Bombardier 215T has a maximum cruise speed of about 350 Km/h (189 Knots) and, in an average mission of six miles from water to fire, can complete ten drops in an hour, delivering 12,000 gallons of fire suppressant.
CL-415
The CL-415 was developed from the piston powered CL-215 Series 5 aircraft in combination with the advances from the “T” conversion program. Additional improvements over the CL-215, which first appeared on the CL-215T, include winglets and finlets, higher operating weights, an increased capacity firebombing system, (1621 US gal from 1440 US gal) and the addition of a foam injection system.
CL-415EAF
After its acquisition of the business in late 2016 and based on feedback from current and prospective operators, Viking elected to offer an Enhanced Aerial Firefighter (EAF) option, building on the CL-215T conversion program by offering additional operator requested enhncements. Viking has acquired a number of CL-215 aircraft for conversion to this new CL-415EAF standard. Both the CL-215T and CL-415EAF include winglets and finlets, higher operating weights, an increased capacity firebombing system and the addition of a foam injection system which all subsequently appeared on the CL-415
A CL-415EAF will carry the same water capacity and performs similarly to a CL-415 The major visual difference is the CL-415EAF has a 2 door bomb bay while the CL-415 has a 4 door bomb bay.
In addition to the turboprop upgrade other improvements with the CL-415EAF conversion now offered by Viking over the CL-415 include :
- Full modern Avionics package that would become the standard for any new production Aerial Firefighter
- Component modernization improvements to address all fleet obsolescence issues, setting the standard for any new production Aerial Firefighter
- Corrosion protection enhancements based on operator feedback
- Flight deck air-conditioning system
- Customized external paint scheme
- Humanitarian and relief options (e.g. stretcher rack, large cargo door, spray boom system)
CL-415MP
The CL-415MP is the Maritime Patrol version of the aircraft and is in-service in Malaysia. Specifically equipped for this type of mission, the CL-415MP provides surveillance and search and rescue capability.
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