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Canadair CL-415

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Template:Infobox Aircraft

The Bombardier 415 (formerly Canadair CL-415) is a Canadian amphibious aircraft purpose-built as a water bomber. It is one of the only two aircrafts (with Russian Be-200) designed and built specifically for aerial firefighting and is based on the company's CL-215. It is marketed in the United States as the "Superscooper."

Design and development

In 1987, following market trends towards more efficient, powerful and reliable turboprop powerplants, Canadair undertook the task of retrofitting a number of CL-215 airframes (17) with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF engines, providing a 15% power increase over the original piston engines. The retrofitted aircraft were designated CL-215T and also featured many aerodynamic and systems improvements including powered flight controls, cockpit air conditioning, as well as upgraded electrical and avionics systems. The most notable external features of the CL-215T retrofit were the aerodynamic additions to the wings and empennage.

Based on the success of the CL-215, the company introduced the CL-415, a new-build production series beginning in 1993. The 415 has an updated cockpit, aerodynamics enhancements and changes to the water-release system as well, creating a modern firefighting amphibious flying boat for use in detecting and suppressing forest fires.

Compared to the CL-215, the 415 has increased operating weight and speed, yielding improved productivity and performance. The 415 can scoop up to 6,140 litres (1350 Imperial gal or 1,620 US gal) of water from a nearby water source, mix it with a chemical foam 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 in quick response to fires. The aircraft is built for reliability and longevity, with use of corrosion-resistant materials. Water loads are scooped through two probes that measure 4 x 6 inches. The new 415GR has higher operating weights while the Bombardier 415 multi-role is available for use in a paramilitary search and rescue role and utility transport.

Bombardier 415 operating on "Fire watch" out of Red Lake, Ontario, c. 2007

Operational history

The "415" first flew on December 6, 1993 with the first deliveries in November 1994.[1] Orders from many countries soon followed. Derived from its predecessor's nickname, it acquired the name, "Super Scooper" in light of its greatly enhanced performance as a water bomber and fire suppressant weapon. In recognition of its abilities in the dangerous but necessary tasks of fire fighting, the aircraft was awarded the prestigious Batefuegos de oro (gold fire extinguisher). The award citation in part read "This is the most efficient tool for the aerial combat of forest fires, key to the organization of firefighting in a large number of countries. The continuous improvements to meet the needs of forest firefighting have made these aircraft the aerial means most in demand over more than 30 years." [2]

Of the 67 built, seven have been removed from service due to accidents.[3]

The aircraft requires 1340m of flyable area to descend from 15m altitude, scoop 6,137 litres of water during a 12-second 410m-long run on the water, then climb back to 15m alititude.

According to the Bombardier website, the 415 takes: "12 seconds, travelling at 130 km/h (70 knots) and 410 metres (1,350 feet), to scoop up a 6,137-litre (1,621-US-gallon) water load... The advanced Bombardier 415 aircraft scoops water from sites that are only two metres (6.5 feet) deep and 90 metres (300 feet) wide. When the water site is too small for a full pick-up, the Bombardier 415 takes a partial load and returns to the fire. The Bombardier 415 amphibian doesn’t need a straight scooping path. Since the aircraft is still in "flying" mode while scooping, pilots can easily manoeuvre around river bends or visible obstacles in the water."

Variants

415
415GR
415MR
multi-role

Operators

A Bombardier 415 firefighting airplane right before refilling its water tank in Živogošće, Croatia [4]
A Bombardier 415 empties its tanks into Lake Ontario.
 Canada
 Croatia
 France
 Greece
 Italy
 Spain
 United States
 Malaysia

Incidents

  • November 17, 1997 - Securite Civile CL-415 crashes in Marseilles, France with 1 fatality
  • August 16, 2003 - Società Ricerche Esperienze Meteorologiche CL-415 crashes in Esine, Italy with no fatalities
  • March 8, 2004 - Securite Civile CL-415 crashes in Lac Sainte-Croix, France with 2 fatalities
  • March 18, 2005 - Società Ricerche Esperienze Meteorologiche CL-415 crashes in Forte dei Marmi, Italy with 2 fatalities
  • August 1, 2005 - Securite Civile CL-415 crashes in Calenzana with 2 fatalities
  • July 23 2007 - Hellenic Air Force CL-415 crashes in Dilesos, Greece with 2 fatalities
  • July 23, 2007 - Società Ricerche Esperienze Meteorologiche CL-415 crashes in Sant'Erasmo, Italy with 1 fatality

Specifications (415)

Data from Bombardier Aerospace Website

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 pilots
  • Additional Seating: 1 on jump seat, 8 on bench seats Performance
    • Takeoff distance (ISA, land): 2,750 ft (840 m)
    • Takeoff distance (ISA, water): 2,670 ft (815 m)
    • Landing distance (ISA, land): 2,210 ft (675 m)
    • Landing distance (ISA, water): 2,180 ft (665 m)
    • Minimum water depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
    Avionics
    • Honeywell Primus 2 Radio Navigation
    • RNZ-850 with ADF, VOR/ILS/Marker Beacon and DME
    • Litef/Honeywell LCR93, Attitude and Heading Reference System
    • Honeywell EDZ-605 EFIS with Dual EADI and EHSI
    • Radio Altimeter (Honeywell AA-300)
    • Parker-Gull Three-tube Active Matrix LCD Integrated Instrument Display System
    • Dual CIC/Aerosonics Air Data Computers
    • Dorne & Margolin ELT-8 Emergency Beacon

    See also

    Related development

    Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

    References

    Notes

    1. ^ Bombardier - Bombardier 415
    2. ^ Bombardier 415 SuperScooper Amphibious Aircraft
    3. ^ Canadair CL-415
    4. ^ Croatia
    5. ^ Keijsper 2008, pp. 44.
    6. ^ Keijsper 2008, pp. 40.
    7. ^ Keijsper 2008, pp. 41.
    8. ^ Keijsper 2008, pp. 42.
    9. ^ a b Keijsper 2008, pp. 43.
    10. ^ SignOnSanDiego:County leases fire-fighting planes from Quebec
    11. ^ Cite error: The named reference aviation.ca was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

    Bibliography

    • Pickler, Ron and Milberry, Larry. Canadair: The First 50 Years. Toronto: CANAV Books, 1995. ISBN 0-921022-07-7.
    • Keijsper, Gerard. "Water-Bombers Required!" Air Forces Monthly, London: Key Publishing, July 2008 Issue.
    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Canadair CL-415.
    • Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Canadair_CL-415&oldid=246617144"