Canadair CL-215

The Canadair CL-215 Scooper is the first model in a series of amphibious flying boats designed and built by Canadian aircraft manufacturer Canadair, and later produced by Bombardier. It is one of only a handful of large amphibious aircraft to have been produced in large numbers during the post-war era, and the first to be developed from the outset as a water bomber.

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

thumb|1979 postage stamp of a CL-215

The origins of the CL-215 can be traced back to two earlier project studies conducted by Canadian aircraft manufacturer Canadair, the CL-43 and CL-204. The CL-43 was conceived as a logistics aircraft and was based on the design of the Canadian Vickers-built 369 Canso (which was itself a variant of the Consolidated PBY Catalina). 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 1962 preliminary design, designated as the CL-204, was a purpose-designed water bomber that evolved into an amphibian flying boat configuration, powered by two shoulder-mounted Pratt & Whitney R-2800 piston engines.

The definitive design, which was designated as the CL-215, was publicly revealed at the 1965 Paris Air Show. 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. 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. By November 1968, Canadair had decided to commit to an initial production batch of 30 aircraft. 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.

Further development

thumb|Head-on view of a [[Hellenic Air Force CL-215, 2007]]

Prior to the delivery of the first aircraft, plans had already been mooted for the production of multiple models of the type.

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.

Canadian transport conglomerate Bombardier Aerospace (who had acquired Canadair during the 1980s) decided to terminate production of the type during the late 1980s. Although manufacturing did come to an end in 1990, a further improved model, designated as the CL-415, entered production during 1993. Additionally, multiple conversion and refit programmes have been launched over the following decades to renovate and improve existing aircraft, typically focused on improving aspects such as the engines, avionics and structure.

Design

thumb|A Canadair CL-215 of [[Turkish Aeronautical Association TC-TKZ on the ground; note the deployed undercarriage.]]

The Canadair CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing general-purpose amphibious aircraft.

The CL-215 is powered by a pair of 2,200 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-83AM radial engines, which was regarded as a proven and reliable power unit. In a standard configuration, fuel is housed across 12 tanks within the wing, although additional tanks can be installed within the outer wing.

Operational history

thumb|A CL-215 making a low pass above a body of water

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 CL-415s in service across 11 countries.

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.

;CL-415EAF:Conversion program offered by Viking Air featuring Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines and EFIS avionics suite. The first of 11 used aircraft purchased to be modified should be delivered to launch customer, Bridger Aerospace, in the first quarter of 2020. They will be strengthened to raise its maximum takeoff weight and have new flight controls, hydraulic and fuel systems. 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.

;B.TK.1

:() Royal Thai Armed Forces designation for the CL-215T.

Operators

thumb|Canadair CL-215 in Canadian civil service (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)

thumb|One of [[Minnesota Department of Natural Resources|Minnesota DNR's Scoopers. The department lent the aircraft to the effort to fight the California wildfires of October 2007, and it is seen here at Fox Field.]]

thumb|Water tanks with fire suppressant tank at the rear. At the top of the tanks are funnels that allow water to spill overboard if excess is collected during replenishment operations

;

As of April 2023 there were 55 CL-215/CL-415 registered with Transport Canada.

Air Spray, Edmonton, Alberta: seven total; three CL215 1A10 and four CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-415) operated for the Government of Alberta
Buffalo Airways, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories: four CL215 1A10
Conair Group, Abbotsford, British Columbia: four CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-215T); former contractor for Alberta
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador: five CL-215-6B11 (Series CL-415)
Government of Quebec, Service Aérien Gouvernemental (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)
Government of Ontario, 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

;

Hellenic Air Force: 10 CL-215s as of July 2023. 7 are CL-215GR and 3 ex-Yugoslav AF

;

Societa Ricerche Esperienze Meteorologiche (SoREM): five CL-215s leased abroad and operated on behalf of Protezione Civile

;

Spanish Air and Space Force, 43 Grupo – 14 as of December 2016.
Ministry of Environment (Spain): 5 ex-Spanish Air Force CL-215Ts

;

Royal Thai Navy: 2 delivered in 1978 with 1 used as search and rescue patrol

;

Gökçen Aviation of Turkish Aeronautical Association: nine CL-215s and the current contractor for the Turkish Ministry of Forestry

;

Bridger Aerospace: Six CL-415EAFs

Aero-Flite, Inc. Kingman, Arizona: five CL-215s

Former operators

;

885th Firefighting Squadron of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence operated 2 CL-215s from 1995 to 2003. They have been replaced by 6 CL-415s.

;

Sécurité Civile: 15 aircraft operated from June 1969 to 1996, now all replaced with 12 CL-415s.

;

North Carolina Division of Forest Resources - Purchased a 1969 CL-215 in 1998. Used against over 135 fires during its ten year career, it was eventually retired and sold on eBay in 2011.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – operated 2 CL-215; all sold in 2015 and now replaced with Air Tractor 802F Fireboss 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

;

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. In 2015 ex-Yugoslav CL-215 lost in crash.

Accidents and incidents

CL-215s have been involved in 31 accidents, 20 fatal.

Aircraft on display

thumb|A CL-215 on static display at the [[Sinsheim Auto & Technik Museum, Germany, in 2014]]

;Canada

1040 – CL-215 on static display at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

;France

1005 – CL-215 cockpit on static display at the Musée de L'Hydraviation in Biscarrosse, Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
1023 – CL-215 on static display at the Musée de l'Air in Le Bourget, Île-de-France.

;Germany

1021 – CL-215 on static display at the Technik Museum Speyer in Speyer, Rhineland-Palatinate.
1026 – CL-215 on static display at the Sinsheim Auto & Technik Museum in Sinsheim, Baden-Württemberg.

;Spain

1010 – CL-215 on static display at the Museo de Aeronáutica y Astronáutica in Madrid.

;Thailand

1059 – CL-215 on static display at the Naval Aviation Museum.

Specifications (CL-215)

thumb|A CL-215 in the [[Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, in the Canadian province of Québec]]

thumb|CL-215s belonging to the Canadian province of [[Alberta]]

References

Citations

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. .
Keijsper, Gerard. "Water-Bombers Required!" Air Forces Monthly, London: Key Publishing, July 2008.

External links

Gokcen Aviation
Panhellenic Association of Families Lost in Action Aviators
Snopes.com on the urban legend
Airliners.net The Canadair CL-215 & 415
CL-215 Aircraft | Viking's Aerial Firefighter
North Carolina Division of Forest Resources Aviation Resources