The Canadair CL-415, later known as the Bombardier 415, is an amphibious aircraft from Canada purpose-built as a water bomber. It is an aircraft 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".
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
Design and development
In 1987, following market trends towards more efficient, powerful and reliable turboprop powerplants, Canadair undertook the task of retrofitting 17 CL-215 airframes with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF engines, providing a 15% power increase over the original piston engines as well as enhanced reliability and safety. 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 CL-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 CL-415 has increased operating weight and speed, yielding improved productivity and performance. The 415 can scoop up to 6,140 litres (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 CL-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. The new 415GR has higher operating weights while the CL-415 multi-role is available for use in a paramilitary search and rescue role and utility transport.
The CL-415 was assembled at the Bombardier Aerospace facility near North Bay/Jack Garland Airport in North Bay, Ontario, and tested on Lake Nipissing. On June 20, 2016, Viking Air purchased the CL-415 type certificate from Bombardier along with the older CL-215 and CL-215T. The acquisition was finalised on 3 October.
Fire Extinguisher Recharge Price Video
Operational history
The CL-415 first flew on December 6, 1993, with the first deliveries in November 1994. Orders from several 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 suppresser. In recognition of its abilities, the aircraft was awarded the Batefuegos de oro (gold fire extinguisher) by the Asociacion para la Promocion de Actividades Socioculturales. 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."
Of the 95 built, seven have been removed from service due to accidents.
The aircraft requires 1,340 metres (4,400 ft) of flyable area to descend from 15 metres (49 ft) altitude, scoop 6,137 litres of water during a 12-second 410 metres (1,350 ft) long run on the water at 70 knots (130 km/h; 81 mph), then climb back to 15 m altitude. The aircraft can also pick up partial loads in smaller areas and can turn while scooping, if necessary.
Variants
Operators
- Service aérien gouvernemental, Quebec operates eight 415s.
- Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario) operates nine 415s.
- Department of Natural Resources (Newfoundland and Labrador) operates six 415s.
- Government Air Services, Manitoba operates four.
- Provincial Aerospace, Newfoundland and Labrador operates two 415 converted as 415MP for use for overseas clients/contracts (for Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency)
- Croatian Air Force operates six CL-415s in 885th Firefighting Squadron.
- Sécurité Civile has received twelve CL-415s with three on order
- Hellenic Air Force operates seven aircraft - six CL-415GRs and one CL-415MP.
- Protezione Civile has taken delivery of nineteen CL-415s, with three more on order.
- Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency ordered two CL-415MP, contract to Provincial Aerospace of Canada.
- Moroccan Air Force received six CL-415s.
- Spanish Air Force operates three CL-415s; two on order.
- Unidad Militar de Emergencias has two CL-415s on order.
- Los Angeles County Fire Department leases two CL-415s from the government of Quebec for use during the wildfire season since 1994.
- San Diego County leases two CL-415s from the Province of Quebec for use during the three-month period from September 13 to December 13.
- United States Forest Service leases two to four CL-415s for fighting fires on US lands. These aircraft are owned by a partnership led by Tenax Aerospace LLC and operated by Aero-Flite, Inc.
Accidents
- 11 ?ovember, 1997 - s.n 2025 - F-ZBFQ/43 -Securité Civile France
- 16 August 2003 - s.n 2008 - I-DPCN - SOREM Italy
- 8 March 2004 - s.n 2018 - F-ZBEZ/41 - Securité Civile France
- 18 March 2005 - s.n 2051 - I-DPCK - SOREM Italy
- 1 August 2005 - s.n 2011 - F-ZBEO/36 - Securité Civile France
- 7 April 2006 - s.n 2039 - Hellenic Air Force
- 23 July 2007 - s.n 2055 (CL-415MP) - Hellenic Air Force
- 24 July 2007 - s.n 2045 - I-DPCX - SOREM Italy
- 3 July 2013 - s.n 2076 - C-FIZU - Newfoundland and Labrador Committee - Canada
- 5 May 2014 - s.n 2050 - Hellenic Air Force
https://aviation-safety.net/database/types/Canadair-CL-415/database
Specifications (415)
Data from Bombardier Aerospace Website
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots
- Additional Seating: one on jump seat, eight on bench seats
- Payload: 6,400lb (2,900 kg)
- Length: 65 ft (19.82 m)
- Wingspan: 93 ft 11 in (28.6 m)
- Height: 29 ft 3 in (8.9 m)
- Wing area: 1,080 sq ft (100 sq m)
- Airfoil: NACA 4417
- Empty weight: 28,400 lb (12,880 kg)
- Maximum fuel weight: 10,250 lb (4650 kg)
- Maximum takeoff weight (from land, disposable load): 43,850 lb (19,890 kg)
- Maximum takeoff weight (from land, non-disposable load): 41,000 lb (18,600 kg)
- Maximum takeoff weight (from water): 37,850 lb (17,170 kg)
- Max Capacity (Water or Retardant): 13,536 lb (6,140 kg)
- Maximum weight after scooping: 47,000 lb (21,360 kg)
- Maximum landing weight: 37,000 lb (16,780 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turboprop, takeoff power: 2,380 shp (1,775 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 223 mph (359 km/h (194 kt))
- Cruise speed: 207 mph (333 km/h (180 kt))
- Stall speed: 78 mph (126 km/h (68 kt))
- Range: 1,518 miles (2,443 km)
- Service ceiling: 14,700 ft (4,500 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,600 ft/min (8.1 m/s)
- 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
Source of the article : Wikipedia
EmoticonEmoticon