Canadair CL-415
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Canadair CL-415 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| A Canadair CL-415 firefighting airplane right before refilling its water tank in Blato, Croatia | |
| Type | Amphibious water bomber |
| Manufacturer | Canadair |
| Developed from | Canadair CL-215 |
The Bombardier (formerly Canadair) CL-415 is a Canadian amphibious aircraft purpose-built as a water bomber. It is the only aircraft designed and built specifically for fire fighting and is based on the company's CL-215.
The 415 can scoop up to 6 140 litres (1350 Can gal or 1620 US gal) of water from a nearby water source, mix it with foam suppressant if desired and drop it on a fire without having to return to base to refill its tanks. The 415 was specifically developed to provide the capability to deliver massive quantities of suppressant to a fire in its initial stages, preventing it from getting out of control.
The 415 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turboprops replacing the 215's piston engines. The 415 has an updated cockpit, as well.
It first flew in December of 1993 and the first deliveries were in November of 1994.
The CL-415 design originates in a requirement for a firefighting amphibious flying boat to detect and suppress forest fires. The aircraft is built for reliability and longevity, with use of corrosion-resistant materials. Water loads are drawn in and can be mixed internally with fire reardants; speed is essential and missions can take as little as 10 minutes. The CL-415 has also been used in a paramilitary search and rescue role.
Contents |
[edit] Operators & Accidents
[edit] Operators
(Source: [1])
- Canada - 17 (Quebec - 8 CL-415 and Ontario - 9 CL-415)
- Croatia - 4 (CL-415)
- France - 13 (CL-415)
- Greece - 10 (CL-415GR - 8 and CL-415MP - 2)
- Italy - 14 (CL-415)
- Spain - 1 (CL-415)
[edit] Accidents
(Source: [2])
of the 60 built 5 have been written-off because of accidents:
- November 11, 1997 - F-ZBFQ/43 - Securité Civile France.
- August 16, 2003 - I-DPCN/ 9 - SOREM Italy.
- March 8, 2004 - F-ZBEZ/41 - Securité Civile France.
- March 18, 2005 - I-DPCK/22 - SOREM Italy.
- August 1, 2005 - F-ZBEO/36 - Securité Civile France.
[edit] Specifications ()
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots
- Payload: 1,350 imp gal (6,140 L)
- Length: 65 ft 1 in (19.82 m)
- Wingspan: 93 ft 10 in (28.6 m)
- Height: 29 ft 6 in (8.98 m)
- Empty weight: 28,294 lb (12,834 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 43,758 lb (19,848 kg)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 234 mph (377 km/h)
- Range: 1,518 miles (2,443 km)
- Service ceiling: 14,700 ft (4,500 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,378 ft/min (420 m/min)
[edit] External links
[edit] Related content
Related development
Canadair CL-215 - Canadair CL-217
Timeline of aviation
Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable military accidents and incidents · Notable airline accidents and incidents · Famous aviation-related deaths
Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft
