Canadair CL-215
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Canadair CL-215 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The CL-215 is an indispensable tool for Canadian forest fire fighters. | |
| Type | Firefighting aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Canadair |
| Introduced | 1969 |
| Status | Active service. |
| Produced | 1969-1990 |
| Number built | 125 |
The Canadian Canadair CL-215 was the first model in a series of firefighting aircraft built by Canadair and later Bombardier. The CL-215 is a twin-engine, wing-over amphibious aircraft designed with the requirements that it operate well at low speed and in gust-loading circumstances, as are found over forest fires. It is also able to land and take off from short, unpaved airstrips.
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[edit] Design and development
Arising from an earlier 1960's 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 (the Government Air Service) for a more effective way of delivering water to forest fires. The preliminary design, the CL-204 was a purpose-designed water bomber that evolved into an amphibian configuration, powered by two 2,100 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines shoulder-mounted. The definitive design known as the CL-215 received a program go-ahead in February 1966 with its maiden flight on 23 October 1967. The first delivery was to the French civil protection agency in June 1969. Production of batches of CL-215s continued through to 1990.
[edit] Operations
This amphibious aircraft serves a number of roles in a number of countries, ranging from forest fire fighting to oil spill control on the open sea. Nicknamed the "Waterbomber" or "Super Scooper," the aircraft can skim lakes, open water or reservoirs to fill its tanks with water. The water is mixed with additives and then dropped on wildfires and occasionally structure fires. The aircraft has a 5,346 litre (1,275 US gal) fluid capacity, and is able to fill its tanks from a source as shallow as two metres in a mere 12 seconds.
The "yellow duck," as it is affectionately known due to the ubiquitous yellow paint scheme, is a versatile aircraft which can be utilized as an air transport for either goods or passengers, a search and rescue aircraft and a patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, in addition to its primary role as a water bomber.
[edit] Variants
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 and 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.
The first CL-415 flew in December 1993 and was delivered from April 1994. The new CL-415GR has higher operating weights. The primary improvement of 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 principal mission is that of a firebomber, but various special mission (including SAR and maritime patrol) and transport configurations are available.
[edit] Myths
There is a popular urban legend about a SCUBA diver being sucked up and dropped onto a forest fire, both by a CL-215 and other water bombers. This has not only been shown to be false, but impossible, as the water is scooped through intakes smaller than a man.
[edit] Operators
Over a period of 21 years beginning in 1969, 125 of these aircraft were built and sold to customers in nine countries.
- The governments of France, Italy, Spain, Thailand, Venezuela, Croatia (SFR Yugoslavia) and Greece.
- The Canadian Provinces and Territories of Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon.
- Conair Aviation of Abbotsford, B.C.
- North Carolina Division of Forest Resources
- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
- Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
[edit] Specifications (CL-215)
General characteristics<h3>
- Crew: 2 pilots
- Payload:
- 5,455 L (1,440 US gal) of water or
- 6,123 kg (13,500 lb) of chemicals
- Length: 19.82 m (65 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 28.60 m (93 ft 10 in)
- Height: 8.98 m (29 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 100.3 m² (1,080 ft²)
- Empty weight: 12,200 kg (26,900 lb)
- Max takeoff weight:
- From water: 17,100 kg (37,700 lb)
- From land: 19,730 kg (43,500 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney R-2800-83AM 18-cylinder radial engines, 2,100 hp (1,600 kW) each
<h3>Performance<h3>
- Maximum speed: 290 km/h (160 knots, 180 mph)
- Range: 2,430 km (1,310 nm, 1,520 mi)
- Rate of climb: 5 m/s (1,000 ft/min)
- 5,455 L (1,440 US gal) of water or
- 6,123 kg (13,500 lb) of chemicals
- From water: 17,100 kg (37,700 lb)
- From land: 19,730 kg (43,500 lb)
[edit] Reference
- Pickler, Ron and Milberry, Larry. Canadair: The First 50 Years. Toronto: CANAV Books, 1995. ISBN 0-921022-07-7.
[edit] External links
- Snopes.com on the urban legend
- Firediving International A spoof on the urban legend.
- Airliners.net The Canadair CL-215 & 415
- Buffalo Airways: Canadair CL-215
- North Carolina Division of Forest Resources Aviation Resources
- Canadair History Web site
