Canadair CL-215
CL-215 | |
---|---|
Role | Firefighting amphibious aircraft |
Manufacturer | Canadair |
First flight | 23 October 1967[1] |
Introduction | 1969 |
Status | In service |
Primary users | Canada Greece Spain United States |
Produced | 1969–1990 |
Number built | 125[2] |
Variants | Canadair CL-415 |
The Canadair CL-215 (Scooper) is the first model in a series of
The CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft designed in the 1960s. From an early stage, it was developed to perform aerial firefighting operations as a water bomber; to operate well in such a capacity, it can be flown at relatively low speeds and in high gust-loading environments, as are typically found over forest fires. It can also be used for other missions types, including passenger services, freight transport, and air-sea search and rescue operations. On 23 October 1967, the first prototype performed its maiden flight, and the first production aircraft was handed over during June 1969.
While production of the CL-215 was terminated during 1990, this was due to the imminent introduction of an improved variant of the aircraft, which was designated as the CL-415, the manufacture of which commenced during 1993. Furthermore, numerous conversion and improvement programmes have been developed for existing aircraft, such as the CL-215T, a turbine-powered model of the original aircraft which replaces the original Pratt & Whitney R-2800-83AM radial engines with a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turbine engines. Other changes include the addition of new avionics and various structural improvements.
Development
Origins
The origins of the CL-215 can be traced back to two earlier project studies conducted by
The definitive design, which was designated as the CL-215, was publicly revealed at the 1965 Paris Air Show.[4] Aviation publication Flight International observed that the CL-215 was "one of the very few entirely new large marine aircraft to be put in hand for some 20 years", and that it was the first aircraft to be designed to perform water bombing missions as a primary role.[1] Developing a newer aircraft meant that, unlike its older competitors, the latest techniques to stave off corrosion could be applied, as well as a fail-safe structure, to give the aircraft a lengthy lifespan. Canadair's market research indicated that there were many aging seaplanes for which operators required a modern replacement.[1]
On 1 February 1966, the programme was authorised to proceed.[1] On 23 October 1967, the first prototype performed its maiden flight.[5] By November 1968, Canadair had decided to commit to an initial production batch of 30 aircraft.[4] During June 1969, the first CL-215 was delivered to the French civil protection agency (Sécurité Civile, then known as Protection Civile). The aircraft, which was one of a batch of ten, had been purchased under a £4 million arrangement; by July 1970, the order had been completed, along with a third of a 15 aircraft order from the government of Quebec.[6] Quebec had ordered the type as a replacement for their aging fleet of Canso water bombers; in comparison to the Canso, the CL-215 required a shorter landing distance and was capable of travelling twice as fast.[7]
Further development
Prior to the delivery of the first aircraft, plans had already been mooted for the production of multiple models of the type.[1] While the CL-215A served as the standard water bomber configuration, another model, designated as the CL-215C, had been envisioned to dispense with the design compromises as to better perform the water bomber mission, allowing it be furnished with larger doors on the sides of the fuselage and a revised underfloor hull structure.[8]
Production of the CL-215 progressed through five series. Perhaps the most significant development of the type occurred during the 1980s in the form of the CL-215T, an initiative to replace the original Pratt & Whitney R-2800-83AM radial engines with a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turbine engines.[9] Speaking during the new model's development, company officials recognised that market demand for the CL-215T was marginal, and thus not enough to justify developing an all-new aircraft.[9]
Canadian transport conglomerate
In 2018 Bombardier sold the design documents and intellectual property rights to the CL-215 and CL-415 to
Viking also produced an upgrade kit, the CL-415EAF, which would allow the owners of remaining CL-215 planes to upgrade their engines and avionics to the same level as new CL-515 planes.[11][12][13][14] After being upgraded by Viking Air subsidiaries Longview Aviation Services (LAS) and Cascade Aerospace, the CL-415EAF was first flown from Abbotsford, British Columbia on 12 March 2020, to be delivered in April to Bridger Aerospace.[15]
Design
The Canadair CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing general-purpose amphibious aircraft.[4] It features an atypically spacious fuselage for an amphibian, which is designed to accommodate for the operational needs of various roles that the aircraft was developed to perform.[1] The CL-215 can be used as an airborne firefighting platform, in which capacity it is used as a water bomber; it has been claimed to be the first aircraft designed to withstand the severe aerodynamic and hydrodynamic loads imposed by such usage. Beyond the water bomber role, the CL-215 was designed for use in other capacities, such as a search and rescue platform, passenger transport, and freighter; for this purpose, the cabin can be configured in various different ways, including a flexible combi configuration. Under typical operations, these applications would harness the aircraft's ability to land and takeoff from the water, the hull having been designed to enable its use upon the open seas.[4]
The CL-215 was designed to perform well in the aerial firefighter role. The apparatus is designed around previously-proven concepts and careful design.[8] The aircraft's belly houses a pair of 1,400 litres (300 imp gal) water tanks of which large downward-facing doors forms their bottoms; these open to rapidly discharge water over a target area.[8] These doors are normally hydraulically actuated and electrically controlled, but a manual release is present for emergency use only; the tanks can be emptied simultaneously, individually, or in sequence at the pilot's selection. Both tanks are positioned directly upon the aircraft's centre of gravity so that filling or emptying the tanks has minimal impact upon the aircraft's flying characteristics.[8] Water can be rapidly drawn into these water tanks while the aircraft is moving across a body of water's surface via purpose-built rotatable aluminium scoops; if a collision occurs, these scoops have been designed to break away from the aircraft without damaging the fuselage.[1] To prevent the tanks from becoming overfilled, overflow ducts are present at the top of the tanks, which discharge excess water via the sides of the fuselage.[8]
The CL-215 is said to handle well in both the skies and upon the water; significant attention was paid in its design to attaining a high level of manoeuvrability while at low speeds.
Both the structure and systems on board the aircraft were reportedly designed to ease manufacture and maintenance.
The CL-215 is powered by a pair of 2,200 hp
Operational history
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Over a period of 21 years beginning in 1969, 125 of these aircraft were built and sold to customers in 11 countries. In 2018, there were reportedly around 165 CL-215 and
Variants
- CL-215A
- Initial version, with Pratt & Whitney R-2800-83AM 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines. Features an internal structure compatible with provisioning water bombing apparatus, which includes a pair of underfloor tanks, belly-mounted doors, and rotating scoops. It was targeted at the water bomber and utility freight market sectors.[8]
- CL-215B
- Near-identical to the CL-215A, this model featured minor adaptations made to suit the needs of the search and rescue and commercial freight industry customers.[1]
- CL-215C
- Largely identical to the CL-215A, but lacks any provision for the water bomber mission. As such, it features a revised underfloor structure, larger side-mounted doors and more windows in the main cabin area. A maximum of 36 passenger can be accommodated, without making any provision for baggage.[8]
- CL-215T
- 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 & 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.[citation needed] Cascade Aerospace, Canada, offers CL-215 to CL-215T engine retrofits using the Bombardier kit and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF engines.[20]
- CL-415EAF
- Conversion program offered by Viking Air featuring Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines and EFIS avionics suite.[21] The first of 11 used aircraft purchased to be modified should be delivered to launch customer, Bridger Aerospace, in the first quarter of 2020.[22] They will be strengthened to raise its maximum takeoff weight and have new flight controls, hydraulic and fuel systems.[10]
- CL-515
- A relaunched production version, furnished with the CL-415EAF configuration.[10] Viking Aviation has announced plans to hire up to 150 employees to perform those conversions through its dedicated subsidiary, and in May 2018 applied for government support for restarting production of the type.[23]
Operators
As of April 2023 there were 55 CL-215/CL-415 registered with Transport Canada.[24]
- Air Spray, Edmonton, Alberta: seven total; three CL215 1A10 and four CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-415)
- Buffalo Airways, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories: four CL215 1A10
- Conair Group, Abbotsford, British Columbia: four CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-215T)
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador: five CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-415)
- Government of Quebec, Transports Québec, Quebec: 14 total; four CL215 1A10, two CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-215T) and eight CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-415)
- Longview Aviation Services Inc., Calgary, Alberta: three CL215 1A10 and two CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-215T)
- Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario: nine CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-415)
- Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of Environment, Saskatchewan: seven total, five CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-215T), two CL215 1A10; according to the Ministry of Environment six CL-215P deployed to Airtanker Groups 3, 4 and 5[25]
- Hellenic Air Force: 10 CL-215s as of July 2023.[26] 7 are CL-215GR and 3 ex-Yugoslav AF
- Societa Ricerche Esperienze Meteorologiche (SoREM): five CL-215s leased abroad[27] and operated on behalf of Protezione Civile
- Spanish Air and Space Force, 43 Grupo[28] – 14 as of December 2016.[29]
- Ministry of Environment (Spain): 5 ex-Spanish Air Force CL-215Ts[30]
- Royal Thai Navy: 2 delivered in 1978 with 1 used as search and rescue patrol[31][32]
- Gökçen Aviation of Turkish Ministry of Forestry[33]
- Bridger Aerospace: Six CL-415EAFs[34]
- Aero-Flite, Inc. Kingman, Arizona: five CL-215s[35]
Former operators
- 885th Firefighting Squadron of the
- CL-415s.[38]
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – operated 2 CL-215; all sold in 2015 and now replaced with Air Tractor 802F Fireboss[40] from contractor Aero Spray of Appleton, Minnesota
- CVG Ferrominera Orinoco: two CL-215s, one crashed on 1989, the other one has been parked ever since at Puerto Ordaz Airport[41]
- Yugoslav Air Force: five CL-215s delivered (5th was lost in 1984 crash) and entered service with the 676th Fire Fighting Squadron from 1981 to 1992, sold by successor Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro to Greece in 1995.[42] In 2015 ex-Yugoslav CL-215 lost in crash.[43]
Accidents and incidents
CL-215s have been involved in 31 accidents, 20 fatal.[44][45]
Aircraft on display
- Canada
- 1040 – CL-215 on static display at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.[46][47]
- France
- 1005 – CL-215 cockpit on static display at the Musée de L'Hydraviation in Biscarrosse, Nouvelle-Aquitaine.[48]
- 1023 – CL-215 on static display at the Musée de l'Air in Le Bourget, Île-de-France.[49]
- Germany
- 1021 – CL-215 on static display at the Technik Museum Speyer in Speyer, Rhineland-Palatinate.[50]
- 1026 – CL-215 on static display at the
- Spain
- 1010 – CL-215 on static display at the
- Thailand
- 1059 – CL-215 on static display at the Naval Aviation Museum.[55]
Specifications (CL-215)
Data from
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Capacity: Up to 26 forward facing seats for passenger transport
- Length: 19.82 m (65 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 28.6 m (93 ft 10 in)
- Height: 8.92 m (29 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 100.33 m2 (1,079.9 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 8.15
- Empty weight: 12,160 kg (26,808 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 19,731 kg (43,499 lb) on land, 17,100 kg (37,700 lb) on water
- Max capacity for water/retardant: 1,440 US gal (1200 imp gal, 5,450 L) [57]
- Fuel capacity: 5,910 L (1,561.3 US gal; 1,300.0 imp gal) in two fuel tanks, of eight cells each, in the wings
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-83AM 18-cyl air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,566 kW (2,100 hp) each
- Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard Hydromatic constant-speed fully feathering propeller
Performance
- Cruise speed: 291 km/h (181 mph, 157 kn) at 18,595 kg (40,995 lb) and 3,050 m (10,010 ft)
- Stall speed: 123 km/h (76 mph, 66 kn) 25° flap power off at 15,603 kg (34,399 lb)
- Range: 2,094 km (1,301 mi, 1,131 nmi) with 1,587 kg (3,499 lb) payload at long-range cruise power
- Rate of climb: 5.0833 m/s (1,000.65 ft/min)
Avionics
- Dual VHF and VHF/FM comms,
- VOR/ILS receivers
- ADF
- Marker Beacon Rx
- Transponder
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Beriev Be-200
- Consolidated PBY Catalina
- Grumman HU-16 Albatross
- Harbin SH-5
- ShinMaywa US-1A
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Flight International 1968, p. 269.
- ^ Gerzanics, Mike (21 August 2009). "FLIGHT TEST: Bombardier 415 - The superscooper". Flight International.
- ^ Flight International 1968, pp. 269, 271.
- ^ a b c d e "Canadair CL-215." Flight International, 21 November 1968. p. 871.
- ISBN 0-354-00538-3. p. 17.
- ^ "French Water Bombers." Flight International, 16 July 1970. p. 78.
- ^ "A buyer for the CL-215." Flight International, 9 June 1966. p. 956.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Flight International 1968, p. 272.
- ^ a b * Goold, Ian CL-215 "Water Jet". Flight International, 31 December 1988. pp. 23.
- ^ a b c Stephen Trimble (4 April 2018). "Viking nears CL-415 EAF start, CL-515 launch decision". Flightglobal.
- ^ a b "Viking to deliver six aircraft to the Republic of Indonesia's Ministry of Defence". Airmed & Rescue. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
The CL-515 is the next generation of the CANADAIR CL-415 – an amphibious aircraft with enhanced firefighting capabilities and the flexibility to support a wide range of critical mission operations. The Republic of Indonesia's purchase agreement also includes one CANADAIR CL-415EAF 'Enhanced Aerial Firefighter' aircraft converted from a CANADAIR CL-215 to EAF standard by Longview Aviation Capital's subsidiary, Longview Aviation Services.
[permanent dead link] - ^ a b
"Indonesia to receive world's first CL-515 in seven aircraft deal with Longview". Wings magazine. 24 June 2019. Archived from the original on 25 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
Longview Aviation Capital, and its subsidiary Viking Air of North Saanich, BC, reached a deal to provide the Republic of Indonesia's Ministry of Defense with seven aerial-firefighting aircraft, including one CL-415EAF and six new-production CL-515 airplanes.
- ^
"Longview's CL-415EAF Enhanced Aerial Firefighter makes inaugural flight". Skies magazine. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
Manufacturer's serial number (MSN) 1081 is the first Canadair CL-215 to undergo the major modification to CL-415EAF "Enhanced Aerial Firefighter" configuration by LAS in collaboration with Cascade Aerospace.
- ^ Ryan Mason (10 March 2020). "Longview's first production CL-415EAF "enhanced aerial firefighter" amphibious aircraft takes inaugural flight". Aerial Fire magazine. Abbotsford, British Columbia. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
- ^ Craig Hoyle (12 March 2020). "Viking Air's updated CL-415EAF makes flight debut". Flightglobal.
- ^ a b c d e f Flight International 1968, p. 270.
- ^ Flight International 1968, pp. 269–270.
- ^ a b Flight International 1968, p. 271.
- ^ Amy Laboda (12 October 2018). "Viking Air Preps for Fire Season, Updates Water Scooper Line". ainonline.com.
- ^ "Aerial Fire Control." Archived 5 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine Cascade Aerospace. Retrieved: 23 May 2012.
- ^ "CL-215T and CL-415EAF Aircraft". Viking Air. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ Langfield, Mandy. "Viking CL-415 Enhanced Aerial Firefighter launch customer named". AirMed&Rescue. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ Stephen Trimble (7 May 2018). "Viking applies for funding to launch CL-515 aerial firefighter". Flightglobal.
- ^ "Quick Search Result for CL215". Canadian Civil Aircraft Register. 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ "Canadair CL-215 - Environment". Archived 7 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine Government of Saskatchewan (=Environment.gov.sk.ca ). Retrieved: 14 July 2014.
- ^ Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 36.
- ^ Keijsper 2008, p. 42.
- ^ "Canadair CL-215 T (UD.13T)." Archived 4 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine Ejército del aire. Retrieved: 8 January 2012.
- ^ Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 47.
- ^ Keijsper 2008, p. 43.
- ^ Hoyle Flight International 6–12 December 2016, p. 48.
- ^ "Thai Boats". Air International, Vol. 15, No 4, October 1978, p. 188.
- ^ "Only Aerial Fire Extinguishing Fleet of Turkey". Gokcen Aviation, 2013. Retrieved: 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Bridger Aerospace - Scooping to Success". issuu. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- ^ "Our Equipment | Aero-Flite, Inc.Aero-Flite, Inc." Archived 11 July 2014 at archive.today Aerofliteinc.com. Retrieved: 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Croatia Air Force".
- ^ "Canadair 215." Archived 20 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine worldmilitair.com. Retrieved: 25 August 2013.
- ^ Keijsper 2008, pp. 40–41.
- ^ [1]Wildfire Today. Retrieved: 26 March 2020.
- ^ "Minnesota DNR begins using Fireboss air tankers." fireaviation.com , 4 April 2015.
- ^ "ASN Aircraft accident: Canadair CL-215-1A10, YV-O-INC-2, Puerto Ordaz." Aviation-safety.net. Retrieved: 26 April 2012.
- ^ Keijsper 2008, p. 44.
- ^ "Hellenic Air Force suffers its second CL-215 crash of the year. | AerialFire Magazine". 9 June 2017.
- ^ Flight Safety Foundation (2023). "Canadair CL-215". aviation-safety.net. Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ^ Newsroom (25 July 2023). "Firefighting aircraft crashes while battling Evia wildfire | eKathimerini.com". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Canadair CL-215 F-ZBBT". Canadian Bushplane Heritage Center. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "Airframe Dossier - Canadair CL-215-1A10, c/n 1040, c/r F-ZBBT". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "Airframe Dossier - Canadair CL-215-1, c/n 1005, c/r F-ZBBE". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "Canadair CL-215". Musée Air + Espace (in French). Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "Airframe Dossier - Canadair CL-215, c/n 1021, c/r F-ZBAR". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "Canadair CL-215". Technik Museum Sinsheim (in German). Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "Airframe Dossier - Canadair CL-215, c/n 1026, c/r F-ZBBH". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "Exposición exterior del Museo de Aeronáutica y Astronáutica". Ejército del Aire (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 18 January 2018.
- ^ "Airframe Dossier - Canadair CL-215-1A10, s/n UD.13-1 EdA, c/n 1010, c/r EC-BXM". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ Darke, Steve (6 April 2021). "Royal Thai Navy" (PDF). Thai Aviation. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
- ISBN 0-7106-0801-2.
- ^ "CL-215 Aircraft | Viking's Aerial Firefighter". aerialfirefighter.vikingair.com. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
Bibliography
- "Canadair CL-215". Flight International, 22 February 1968. pp. 269–272.
- Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, Vol. 190, No. 5566, 6–12 December 2016, pp. 22–53. ISSN 0015-3710.
- Keijsper, Gerard. "Water-Bombers Required!" Air Forces Monthly, London: Key Publishing, July 2008.
Further reading
- Pickler, Ron and ISBN 0-921022-07-7.
- Marsaly, Frederic and Samuel Pretat. "Bombardiers d'eau/ Canadair Scoopers." Editions Minimonde76, May 2012. ISBN 978-2-9541818-0-6.
External links
- Gokcen Aviation[importance?]
- Panhellenic Association of Families Lost in Action Aviators Archived 30 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine[importance?]
- Snopes.com on the urban legend[importance?]
- Airliners.net The Canadair CL-215 & 415
- CL-215 Aircraft | Viking's Aerial Firefighter
- North Carolina Division of Forest Resources Aviation Resources[importance?]