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| CL-215 | |
|---|---|
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| Role | Firefighting amphibious aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Canadair |
| First flight | 23 October 1967 |
| Introduced | 1969 |
| Status | Active service. |
| Primary user | Canada |
| Produced | 1969-1990 |
| Number built | 125 |
| Variants | Bombardier 415 |
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.
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Design and development
Arising from an earlier 1960s research study at the company, 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.[1] 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.
Operational history
The CL-215 is known by several nicknames depending on where it is used. In Italy, Croatia, Serbia, France and Greece, they are known as "Canadairs." In western Canada they are known as "Ducks." Most other operators prefer to go by "Scoopers." The turboprop versions, CL-215T and 415 are known as "Super Scoopers" because of their increased performance. The aircraft can skim lakes, rivers, reservoirs, or open water to fill its tanks. The water can be mixed with additives for direct attack of wildfires and structure protection. The aircraft has a 1,400 US gal (5,300 L; 1,166 imp gal) (12,000 lb (5,443 kg) fluid capacity, and can refill its tank in ten seconds at 75–80 kn (139–148 km/h; 86–92 mph). With water sources close to fires, CL-215s have delivered 75-125 loads of water in a single day in support of fire fighting efforts.
The CL-215 is a versatile aircraft capable of several configurations such as maritime patrol and search and rescue, in addition to its primary role as a water bomber.
CL-215s have been involved in 26 accidents, 21 fatal.[2]
Variants
In 1987, the CL-215T was announced, with improvements in handling brought about by design changes to the wings and empennage, and more powerful Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines. Originally the follow-up CL-215T was to be a simple turboprop-powered development of the CL-215, and Canadair converted two aircraft in 1989 to act as development aircraft. The first of these flew on 8 June 1989. Retrofit kits for CL-215s to the new standard are offered, but Canadair elected not to build new CL-215Ts and instead developed the CL-415.
Modifications
Cascade Aerospace, Canada, offers CL-215 to CL-215T engine retrofits using the Bombardier kit and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF engines and is currently the only conversion kit installer in the world.[3]
Operators
Over a period of 21 years beginning in 1969, 125 of these aircraft were built and sold to customers in 11 countries.
- Conair Group, Abbotsford, British Columbia - 4 (CL-215P)
- Government Air Services, Manitoba - 7 (CL-215P)
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - 6 (CL-215P)
- Buffalo Airways, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories - 7 (CL-215P)
- Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario - 9 (CL-215T)
- Bombardier Inc., Montreal, Quebec - 4 (CL-215T)
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife, Quebec - 14 (4 CL-215P, 10 CL-215T)
- Ministry of the Environment, Saskatchewan - 6 (CL-215P)
- Three aircraft retired by 2002 and replaced by four (+two on order) Bombardier 415
- Sécurité Civile 15 aircraft, first operated in June 1969, now retired and replaced with 12 CL-415.[5]
- Hellenic Air Force - 355 MTM - 13 CL-215[6]
- Societa Ricerche Esperienze Meteorologiche (SoREM) - five CL-215 Leased abroad[7]
- Two CL-215, operated by SoREM[7]
- Spanish Air Force - 43 Grupo - 14 CL-215T
- Ministry of Environment (CEGISA) - five Ex Spanish Air Force CL-215T[8]
- Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality - Two CL-215 Operated by SoREM[8]
- Turkish Ministry of Forestry - Two CL-215 Operated by SoREM[8]
- Aero Flite, Kingman, Arizona
- Division of Forest Resources, North Carolina
- Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota
- Yugoslav Air Force - five CL-215 in service with the 676th Fire Fighting Squadron from 1981, until four sold to Greece in 1995.[9]
Specifications (CL-215)
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976-77 [10]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots
- Capacity: 18 passengers (utility version)
- Payload:
- 5,346 litres (1,176 Imp gal) of water or
- 6,123 kg (12,000 lb) of chemicals
- Length: 19.82 m (65 ft 0½ in)
- Wingspan: 28.60 m (93 ft 10 in)
- Height: 8.98 m (29 ft 6 in [11])
- Wing area: 100.3 m² (1,080 ft²)
- Empty weight: 12,065 kg (26,600 lb)
- Max takeoff weight:
- From water: 17,100 kg (37,700 lb)
- From land: 19,730 kg (43,500 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney R-2800-83AM 18-cylinder radial engines, 2,100 hp (1,566 kW) each
Performance
- Cruise speed: 291 km/h (157 knots, 181 mph) (max recommended power)
- Stall speed: 123 km/h (66 knots, 76 mph)
- Range: 2,260 km (1,220 nm, 1,405 mi)
- Rate of climb: 5 m/s (1,000 ft/min)
See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
References
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Keijsper, Gerard. "Water-Bombers Required!" Air Forces Monthly, London: Key Publishing, July 2008.
- Pickler, Ron and Larry Milberry. Canadair: The First 50 Years. Toronto: CANAV Books, 1995. ISBN 0-921022-07-7.
- Taylor, John W.R. (editor). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976-77. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1976. ISBN 0-354-00538-3.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Canadair CL-215 |
- Panhellenic Association of Families Lost in Action Aviators
- Snopes.com on the urban legend
- Airliners.net The Canadair CL-215 & 415
- North Carolina Division of Forest Resources Aviation Resources
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