Modern-Aviation

The Canadair CL-215 was the first model in a series of firefighting flying boat amphibious aircraft built by Canadair and later Bombardier. The CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft designed to operate well at low speeds and in high gust-loading environments, as are found over forest fires.

Maximum speed: 348 km/h (216.24 mph) Range: 1,404 mi Maiden flight: 23 Oct 1967 Length: 65.03 ft Wingspan: 93.83 ft Passengers: 8

The Canadair CL-215 (Scooper) was the first model in a series of firefighting flying boat amphibious aircraft built by Canadair and later Bombardier. The CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft designed to operate well at low speeds and in high gust-loading environments, as are found over forest fires.

The CL-215 was designed as a specialist firebomber, particularly suited to Canada and other heavily forested regions. The resulting amphibious aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radials, and is capable of scooping up 5455 litres (1200Imp gal/1440US gal) of water in 12 seconds from a water source. The CL-215 first flew on October 23 1967, and first delivery was to the French civil protection agency in June 1969. Production of batches of CL-215s continued through to 1990. Originally the subsequent 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 June 8 that year. 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. The primary improvement added to the CL-415 over the CL-215T is an EFIS avionics suite, while other improvements, some of which first appeared on the CL-215T, include winglets and finlets, higher weights and an increased capacity firebombing system. Like the CL-215 its principle mission is that of a firebomber, but various special mission (including SAR and maritime patrol) and transport configurations are available. The first CL-415 flew in December 1993 and was delivered from April 1994. The new CL-415GR has higher operating weights.

General characteristics
Crew: 2
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
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
Max Speed: 216 mph
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