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Tags: haf greece fires hellas italy spain portugal cl-215 cl-415 canadair firefighting firefighter scoop amphibious

Length: 4:29

Description: http://www.aviationlive.org Online Aviation Pics,Videos and Forum Its main mission is firefighting , but it is also used in Search and Resque operations. It has the capacity to take 5000 liters of water in 12 seconds. It wears yellow and red paint scheme. The Canadian Canadair CL-215 ("Scooper") 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. Arising from an earlier 1960s 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 (Quebec 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 CL-215s progressed through 5 series ending in 1990. The CL-215 is known by several nicknames depending on where they are used. In France they are known as the "Canadairs." In western Canada they are known as "Ducks." Most other operators prefer to go by "Scoopers." The turboprop versions, CL-215T and 415 are known as "Super Scoopers" because of their increased performance. The aircraft can skim lakes, rivers, reservoirs, or open water to fill its tanks. The water can be mixed with additives for direct attack of wildfires and structure protection. The aircraft has a 1,400 US gal (or 12,000 lb.) fluid capacity, and can refill its tank in ten seconds at 75-80 knots. With water sources close to fires, CL-215s have delivered 75-125 loads of water in a single day in support fire fighting efforts. The CL-215 is a versatile aircraft capable of several configurations such as maritime patrol / search and rescue, air transport, and cargo, in addition to its primary role as a water bomber. CL-215s have been involved in 26 accidents, 21 fatal. 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. In February 2006, Bombardier announced that they would again offer turbine conversion kits for operators of the series 5 CL-215. In 1972, U.S. Congressman Barry Goldwater, Jr. lead an effort in Congress to have the CL-215 built in the United States in the old Convair Aviation facility in San Diego. The plane was flown to Washington, D.C. that year for a demonstration of its performance to the House Agriculture Committee. The plane scooped and then dropped water on the Anacostia River near the Washington Navy Yard. The goal was to have the U.S. government build the planes to be deployed throughout the country. Unfortunately, opposition from some in the Los Angeles County Fire Department helped sink the plan. It took nearly 30 years since Goldwater first moved to get the planes deployed in the United States for federal, state, and local agencies to use them.

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Source: YouTube