| The CL-215 is an amphibious aircraft specifically | | | | specially designed to operate in forest fire conditions. |
| designed to fight forest fires. It is the first model in a | | | | The flight crew consists of two persons, also |
| series of firefighting aircraft built by Canadair. It was | | | | supporting variants for special missions that include a |
| originally designed for Canada and other heavily | | | | third flight deck member, a mission specialist and two |
| forested regions, and serves a number of roles in | | | | observers. It supports a 30 passenger configuration, |
| several countries, ranging from forest fire fighting to | | | | or an 11 passenger configuration that includes |
| oil spill control on the open sea. It first flew on | | | | firebombing tanks retained and freight in forward |
| October 23, 1967. | | | | fuselage. |
| The CL-215 is the result of a quest for a more | | | | The aircraft length is 65ft. with a wingspan of 93.83ft. |
| effective way of delivering water to forest fires. It is | | | | and a height measured to the top of the tail of |
| a versatile aircraft which can be fitted as a water | | | | 29.19ft. Its max cruising speed is 160 kts with an initial |
| bomber, an air transport for goods or passengers, a | | | | rate of climb of 1000ft/min. It weights 26,940 lbs. |
| SAR (Search and Rescue) aircraft, or a patrol and | | | | when it's empty and supports a max takeoff weight |
| reconnaissance aircraft; however, its main purpose is | | | | of 43497 lbs and 37699 lbs from land and water |
| on fighting fires. | | | | respectively. |
| Nicknamed "Super Scooper" and "Yellow Duck", the | | | | A subsequent model, the CL-215T was originally |
| airplane can skim lakes or reservoirs to fill its tanks | | | | designed to be a simple turboprop powered |
| with water. It is capable of scooping up 1442 gallons | | | | development of the CL-215. However, Canadair |
| of water in just 12 seconds from a water source | | | | decided not to continue the production of CL-215Ts |
| such as a lake or river. The water can be mixed with | | | | and instead developed the CL-415. |
| additives to be dropped on wildfires and occasionally | | | | The primary improvement added to the CL-415 over |
| structure fires. | | | | the CL-215T is an EFIS avionics suite, while other |
| The CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft | | | | improvements, some of which first appeared on the |
| designed to operate well at low speeds and in | | | | CL-215T, include winglets and finlets, higher weights |
| gust-loading circumstances, commonly found over | | | | and an increased capacity firebombing system. Like |
| forest fires. It is also able to land and take off from | | | | the CL-215 its principle mission is that of a fire |
| short, unpaved airstrips, which increases it | | | | bomber, but various special mission (including SAR and |
| effectiveness and rapid response. It is powered by | | | | maritime patrol) and transport configurations are |
| two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engines, | | | | available. |