Canadair CL-215
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| Canadair CL-215 | |
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 The CL-215 is an indispensable tool for Canadian forest fire fighters. |
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| Type | Firefighting aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Canadair |
| Maiden 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 aircraft built by Canadair and later Bombardier. The CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing amphibious 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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[edit] 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 configuration, powered by two 2,100 hp 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 in June 1969. Production of CL-215s progressed through 5 series ending in 1990.
[edit] Operational history
The CL-215 is known by several nicknames depending on where it is used. In France, 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 (1167 Imp gal, 5300 liter; 12,000 lb, 5442 kg) fluid capacity, and can refill its tank in ten seconds at 75-80 knots (140-150 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.[1]
[edit] 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 and 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. In February 2006, Bombardier announced they would again offer turbine conversion kits for operators of the series five CL-215.
In 1972, U.S. Congressman Barry Goldwater, Jr. led an effort in Congress to have the CL-215 built in the United States in the old Convair Aviation facility in San Diego. The plane was flown to Washington, D.C., that year for a demonstration of its performance to the House Agriculture Committee. The plane scooped and then dropped water on the Anacostia River near the Washington Navy Yard. The goal was to have the U.S. government build the planes to be deployed throughout the country. Unfortunately, opposition from some in the Los Angeles County Fire Department helped sink the plan. It took nearly 30 years since Goldwater first moved to get the planes deployed in the United States for federal, state, and local agencies to use them.[citation needed]
[edit] Operators
Over a period of 21 years beginning in 1969, 125 of these aircraft were built and sold to customers in 11 countries.
- The Province of
Alberta
- The Province of
Manitoba - The Province of
Newfoundland and Labrador - The Territory of
Northwest Territories - The Province of
Ontario
- The Province of
Quebec
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife (Quebec)
- The Province of
Saskatchewan - The Territory of
Yukon - Conair Group Inc. of Abbotsford, British Columbia
- Aero Flint of Kingman, Arizonia
- North Carolina Division of Forest Resources
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (Operating By SoREM)
- Turkish Ministry of Forestry (Operating By SoREM)
[edit] Specifications (CL-215)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots
- Payload:
- 5,455 L (1,400 US gal) of water or
- 6,123 kg (12,000 lb) of chemicals
- Length: 19.82 m (65 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 28.60 m (93 ft 10 in)
- Height: 8.98 m (29 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 100.3 m² (1,080 ft²)
- Empty weight: 12,200 kg (26,900 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 (1,600 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 290 km/h (160 knots, 180 mph)
- Range: 2,430 km (1,310 nm, 1,520 mi)
- Rate of climb: 5 m/s (1,000 ft/min)
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] Sources
- Pickler, Ron and Milberry, Larry. Canadair: The First 50 Years. Toronto: CANAV Books, 1995. ISBN 0-921022-07-7.
[edit] External links
- Panhellenic Association of Families Lost in Action Aviators
- Snopes.com on the urban legend
- Airliners.net The Canadair CL-215 & 415
- Buffalo Airways: Canadair CL-215
- North Carolina Division of Forest Resources Aviation Resources
- Canadair History Web site
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