Canadair CL-215

Infobox Aircraft
name=Canadair CL-215


caption=The CL-215 is an indispensable tool for Canadian forest fire fighters.
type=Firefighting aircraft
manufacturer=Canadair
designer=
first flight=23 October 1967
introduced=1969
retired=
status=Active service.
primary user= Canada
more users=
produced=1969-1990
number built=125
unit cost=
variants with their own articles= 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.

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 (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 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. [ [http://aviation-safety.net/database/type/type.php?type=134 Aviation Safety Network] ]

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.

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. [ [http://www.cascadeaerospace.com/products/Aerial/ Cascade Aerospace - Aerial Fire Control] ]

Operators

Over a period of 21 years beginning in 1969, 125 of these aircraft were built and sold to customers in 11 countries. ;CAN
*The Province of flag|Alberta
**Air Spray (1967) Ltd. of Red Deer, Alberta
*The Province of flag|Manitoba
*The Province of flag|Newfoundland and Labrador
*The Territory of flag|Northwest Territories
*The Province of flag|Ontario
**Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario) - 9
*The Province of flag|Quebec
**Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife (Quebec)
*The Province of flag|Saskatchewan
*The Territory of flag|Yukon
*Conair Group Inc. of Abbotsford, British Columbia - 1;CRO
*3 aircraft retired by 2002 and replaced by 4 (+2 on order) Canadair CL-415;USA
*Aero Flint of Kingman, Arizonia
*North Carolina Division of Forest Resources
*Minnesota Department of Natural Resources;FRA
* Sécurité Civile 15 aircraft, first operated in June 1969, now retired and replaced with 12 CL-415. [ Keijsper 2008, pp. 40-41.] ;GRE
*Hellenic Air Force - 355 MTM - 13 CL-215 [ Keijsper 2008, pp. 41.] ;ITA
*Societa Richerche Esperienze Meteorologiche (SoREM) - 5 CL-215 Leased abroad Keijsper 2008, pp. 42.] ;POR
* One CL-215 Operated by SoREM;SLO
* Four CL-215 Bought from Yugoslavia in 1994 and sold to Greece in 1995 Keijsper 2008, pp. 44.] ;ESP
*Spanish Air Force - 43 Grupo - 14 CL-215T
* Ministry of Environment (CEGISA) - 5 Ex Spanish Air Force CL-215T Keijsper 2008, pp. 43.] ;THA
*Royal Thai Navy;TUR
*Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality - Two CL-215 Operated by SoREM
*Turkish Ministry of Forestry - Two CL-215 Operated by SoREM;VEN;YUG
* Yugoslavian Government - 5 CL-215 in Service with the 676th Fire Fighting Squadron from 1981, until 4 survivors sold to Slovenia in 1994.

pecifications (CL-215)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop

crew=2 pilots
payload main=
** 5,455 L
payload alt=1,400 US gal
payload more=of water "or"
** 6,123 kg (12,000 lb) of chemicals
length main=19.82 m
length alt=65 ft 1 in
span main=28.60 m
span alt=93 ft 10 in
height main=8.98 m
height alt=29 ft 6 in
area main=100.3 m²
area alt=1,080 ft²
empty weight main=12,200 kg
empty weight alt=26,900 lb
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
max takeoff weight main=
** From water: 17,100 kg
max takeoff weight alt=37,700 lb)
** From land: 19,730 kg (43,500 lb
engine (prop)=Pratt & Whitney R-2800-83AM
type of prop=18-cylinder radial engines
number of props=2
power main=2,100 hp
power alt=1,600 kW
max speed main=290 km/h
max speed alt=160 knots, 180 mph
range main=2,430 km
range alt=1,310 nm, 1,520 mi
ceiling main=
ceiling alt=
climb rate main=5 m/s
climb rate alt=1,000 ft/min
loading main=
loading alt=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=

ee also

aircontent
related=
* Bombardier 415
similar aircraft=
* PBY Catalina
* HU-16 Albatross
* Harbin PS-5
* ShinMaywa US-1
* ShinMaywa PS-1
lists=
see also=

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.

External links

* [http://www.insitu.gr/psoipa/afoi/capacity/cl215.htm Panhellenic Association of Families Lost in Action Aviators]
* [http://www.snopes.com/horrors/freakish/scuba.htm Snopes.com on the urban legend]
* [http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=119 Airliners.net The Canadair CL-215 & 415]
* [http://www.buffaloairways.com/Aircraft/CL-215.htm Buffalo Airways: Canadair CL-215]
* [http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/fire_control/aviation.htm North Carolina Division of Forest Resources Aviation Resources]
* [http://home.ca.inter.net/~rapickler Canadair History Web site]

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