The CL-215 was the first model in a series of purpose-built firefighting aircraft built by Canadair and later Bombardier. 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. Also known as the "Super Scooper", the aircraft can skim a lake or reservoir to fill its tanks with water to drop on a wildfire or occasionally structure fires.

The CL-215 was the result of a quest by forestry officials for a more effective way of delivering water to forest fires. Over a period of 20 years beginning in 1969, 125 of these aircraft were built, and were sold to customers in nine countries. The 'yellow duck', as it is affectionately known, is a versatile aircraft which can be fitted as a water bomber, an air transport for either goods or passengers, a search and rescue aircraft, or a patrol and reconaissance aircraft.

The CL215 is a twin-engine, wing-over 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. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engines especially designed to operate in forest fire conditions.

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.

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.

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.

Specifications (CL-215)

General Characteristics

• Crew: two pilots
• Capacity: 5,455 l (1440 US gal) of water or 6,123kg (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: 12,200 kg (26,941 lb)
• Loaded: kg ( lb)
• Maximum takeoff: 19,730 kg (43,500 lb)
• Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-83AM 18-cylinder radial engines, 1,565 kW (2,100 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 290 km/h (181 mph)
• Range: 2,430 km (1,518 miles)
• Service ceiling: m ( ft)
• Rate of climb: 305 m/min (1,000 ft/min)
• Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
• Power/Mass: kW/kg ( hp/lb)

External links

• Snopes.com on the urban legend
• Firediving International A spoof on the urban legend.

Related content

Related development: Canadair CL-217 - Canadair CL-415

Comparable aircraft: Martin JRM Mars (conversion)

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