Canadair CL-415
The Bombardier, formerly Canadair CL-415, is a Canadian amphibious aircraft purpose-built as a water bomber. It is the only aircraft designed and built specifically for fire fighting and is based on the company's CL-215.
The 415 can scoop up to 6 140 litres (1350 Can gal or 1620 US gal) of water from a nearby water source, mix it with foam suppressant if desired and drop it on a fire without having to return to base to refill its tanks. The 415 was specifically developed to provide the capability to deliver massive quantities of suppressant to a fire in its initial stages, preventing it from getting out of control.
The 415 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turboprops replacing the 215's piston engines. The 415 has an updated cockpit, as well.
It first flew in December of 1993 and the first deliveries were in November of 1994.
The CL-415 design originates in a requirement for a firefighting amphibious flying boat to detect and suppress forest fires. The aircraft is built for reliability and longevity, with use of corrosion-resistant materials. Water loads are drawn in and can be mixed internally with fire reardants; speed is essential and missions can take as little as 10 minutes. The CL-415 has also been used in a paramilitary SAR role.
Operators & Accidents
Operators
(Source: [1])
- Canada - 17 (Quebec - 8 CL-415 and Ontario - 9 CL-415)
- Croatia - 3 (CL-415)
- France - 13 (CL-415)
- Greece - 10 (CL-415GR - 8 and CL-415MP - 2)
- Italy - 14 (CL-415)
- Spain - 1 (CL-415)
Accidents
(Source: [2])
of the 60 built 5 have been written-off because of accidents:
- November 11, 1997 - F-ZBFQ/43 - Securité Civile France.
- August 16, 2003 - I-DPCN/ 9 - SOREM Italy.
- March 8, 2004 - F-ZBEZ/41 - Securité Civile France.
- March 18, 2005 - I-DPCK/22 - SOREM Italy.
- August 1, 2005 - F-ZBEO/36 - Securité Civile France.
Specifications ()
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots
Performance
External links
Related content
Related development Canadair CL-215 - Canadair CL-217