Bombardier 415

Model 415 Superscooper
A Bombardier 415 operating out of Dryden, Ontario on fire dispatch, September 2007
Role	Amphibious water bomber
Manufacturer	Canadair (Canada One Plant - Saint-Laurent, Quebec (1960s-1980s) Bombardier Aerospace - Dorval, Quebec (1980s-present) and North Bay, Ontario (final assembly 1999-present)
First flight	1993
Introduction	1994
Status	Active service
Primary users	Canada Croatia
Number built	76[1]
Unit cost	$26 million[citation needed]
Developed from	Canadair CL-215

The Bombardier 415 (formerly Canadair CL-415) is a Canadian amphibious aircraft purpose-built as a water bomber. It is an aircraft designed and built specifically for aerial firefighting and is based on the company's CL-215 flying boat. It is marketed in the United States as the "Superscooper."

Design and development

In 1987, following market trends towards more efficient, powerful and reliable turboprop powerplants, Canadair undertook the task of retrofitting a number of CL-215 airframes (17) with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF engines, providing a 15% power increase over the original piston engines. The retrofitted aircraft were designated CL-215T and also featured many aerodynamic and systems improvements including powered flight controls, cockpit air conditioning, as well as upgraded electrical and avionics systems. The most notable external features of the CL-215T retrofit were the aerodynamic additions to the wings and empennage.

Based on the success of the CL-215, the company introduced the CL-415, a new-build production series beginning in 1993. The 415 has an updated cockpit, aerodynamics enhancements and changes to the water-release system as well, creating a modern firefighting amphibious flying boat for use in detecting and suppressing forest fires.

Compared to the CL-215, the 415 has increased operating weight and speed, yielding improved productivity and performance. The 415 can scoop up to 6,140 litres (1350 Imperial gal or 1,620 US gal) of water from a nearby water source, mix it with a chemical foam 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 in quick response to fires. The aircraft is built for reliability and longevity, with use of corrosion-resistant materials. The new 415GR has higher operating weights while the Bombardier 415 multi-role is available for use in a paramilitary search and rescue role and utility transport.

The 415 is currently assembled at the Bombardier Aerospace facility near North Bay/Jack Garland Airport in North Bay Ontario, where the planes can occasionally be seen testing on Lake Nipissing.

Operational history

The "415" first flew on December 6, 1993 with the first deliveries in November 1994.^[2] Orders from many countries soon followed. Derived from its predecessor's nickname, it acquired the name, "Super Scooper" in light of its greatly enhanced performance as a water bomber and fire suppressant weapon. In recognition of its abilities in the dangerous but necessary tasks of fire fighting, the aircraft was awarded the prestigious Batefuegos de oro (gold fire extinguisher). The award citation in part read "This is the most efficient tool for the aerial combat of forest fires, key to the organization of firefighting in a large number of countries. The continuous improvements to meet the needs of forest firefighting have made these aircraft the aerial means most in demand over more than 30 years."^[3]

Bombardier 415 operating on "Fire watch" out of Red Lake, Ontario, c. 2007

Of the 76 built, seven have been removed from service due to accidents.^[4]

The aircraft requires 1340 m of flyable area to descend from 15 m altitude, scoop 6,137 litres of water during a 12-second 410 m-long run on the water, then climb back to 15 m altitude. According to the Bombardier website,^[5] the 415 takes "12 seconds, travelling at 130 km/h (70 knots) and 410 metres (1,350 ft), to scoop up a 6,137-litre (1,621-US-gallon) water load... The advanced Bombardier 415 aircraft scoops water from sites that are only two metres (6.5 ft) deep and 90 metres (300 ft) wide. When the water site is too small for a full pick-up, the Bombardier 415 takes a partial load and returns to the fire. The Bombardier 415 amphibian doesn’t need a straight scooping path. Since the aircraft is still in 'flying' mode while scooping, pilots can easily manoeuvre around river bends or visible obstacles in the water."

Variants

415 

415GR 

415MP 

Multi-Purpose

Operators

World operators of the Bombardier 415

A Bombardier 415 firefighting aircraft right before refilling its water tank in Živogošće, Croatia ^[6]

Ontario MNR 415 at Johnstown, PA (KJST)

A Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario) Bombardier 415 empties its tanks into Lake Ontario.

Two Hellenic Air Force Bombardier 415 refilling their water tanks off the coast of Atlit, while in operation fighting the 2010 Mount Carmel forest fire

 Canada

• Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife (Quebec) - eight 415s
• Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario) - nine 415s
• Department of Natural Resources (Newfoundland and Labrador) - four 415s
• Government Air Services, Manitoba - four 415s (Delivery in 2010 (one), 2011 (two), and 2012 (one))

 Croatia

• Croatian Air Force - 6 415s

 France

• Sécurité Civile - 12 415s^[7]

 Greece

• Hellenic Air Force - eight (seven 415GRs and one 415MP)^[8]

 Italy

• Protezione Civile - 15 415s; three on order^[9]

 Spain

• Spanish Air Force - three 415s; two on order^[10]
• Unidad Militar Emergencias - two 415s on order^[10]

 United States

• Los Angeles County Fire Department - leases two CL-415s from the Province of Quebec for use during the wildfire season.
• San Diego County - leases two CL-415s from the Province of Quebec for use during the three-month period from September 13 to December 13.^[11]

 Malaysia

• Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency - Ordered two 415MP.^[1]

 Morocco

• Moroccan Air Force - four 415s (two on Order)

Incidents

• November 17, 1997 - Sécurité Civile CL-415 crashed in Marseilles, France with one fatality
• August 16, 2003 - Società Ricerche Esperienze Meteorologiche CL-415 crashed in Esine, Italy with no fatalities
• March 8, 2004 - Sécurité Civile CL-415 crashed in Lac Sainte-Croix, France with two fatalities
• March 18, 2005 - Società Ricerche Esperienze Meteorologiche CL-415 crashed in Forte dei Marmi, Italy with two fatalities
• August 1, 2005 - Sécurité Civile CL-415 crashed in Calenzana with two fatalities
• July 23, 2007 - Hellenic Air Force CL-415 crashed in Dilesos, Greece with two fatalities
• July 23, 2007 - Società Ricerche Esperienze Meteorologiche CL-415 crashed in Sant'Erasmo, Italy with one fatality

Specifications (415)

Bombardier 415 of the Spanish Air Force

Data from Bombardier Aerospace Website

General characteristics

• Crew: 2 pilots

• Additional Seating: one on jump seat, eight on bench seats

• Payload: 6,400lb (2,900 kg)
• Length: 65 ft (19.82 m)
• Wingspan: 93 ft 11 in (28.6 m)
• Height: 29 ft 3 in (8.9 m)
• Wing area: 1,080 sq ft (100 sq m)
• Airfoil:
• Empty weight: 28,400 lb (12,880 kg)

• Maximum fuel weight: 10,250 lb (4650 kg)
• Maximum takeoff weight (from land, disposable load): 43,850 lb (19,890 kg)
• Maximum takeoff weight (from land, non-disposable load): 41,000 lb (18,600 kg)
• Maximum takeoff weight (from water): 37,850 lb (17,170 kg)
• Max Capacity (Water or Retardant): 13,536 lb (6,140 kg)
• Maximum weight after scooping: 47,000 lb (21,360 kg)
• Maximum landing weight: 37,000 lb (16,780 kg)

• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turboprop, takeoff power: 2,380 shp (1,775 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 223 mph (359 km/h (194 kt))
• Cruise speed: 207 mph (333 km/h (180 kt))
• Stall speed: 78 mph (126 km/h (68 kt))
• Range: 1,518 miles (2,443 km)
• Service ceiling: 14,700 ft (4,500 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,600 ft/min (8.1 m/s)
• Takeoff distance (ISA, land): 2,750 ft (840 m)
• Takeoff distance (ISA, water): 2,670 ft (815 m)
• Landing distance (ISA, land): 2,210 ft (675 m)
• Landing distance (ISA, water): 2,180 ft (665 m)
• Minimum water depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)

Avionics

• Honeywell Primus 2 Radio Navigation
• RNZ-850 with ADF, VOR/ILS/Marker Beacon and DME
• Litef/Honeywell LCR93, Attitude and Heading Reference System
• Honeywell EDZ-605 EFIS with Dual EADI and EHSI
• Radio Altimeter (Honeywell AA-300)
• Parker-Gull Three-tube Active Matrix LCD Integrated Instrument Display System
• Dual CIC/Aerosonics Air Data Computers
• Dorne & Margolin ELT-8 Emergency Beacon

See also

Related development

• Canadair CL-215
  

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Beriev Be-12
• Beriev Be-200
• CASA C-212 Aviocar
• Harbin PS-5
• ShinMaywa US-2
  

References

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} Vogelaar, Rob. "Bombardier Sells Four Bombardier 415 Amphibious Firefighting Aircraft to an Undisclosed Customer." aviationnews.eu, March 28, 2011. Retrieved: July 29, 2011.
2. ^ "Bombardier 415." aerospace.bombardier.com. Retrieved: April 13, 2010.
3. ^ "Bombardier 415 SuperScooper Amphibious Aircraft." gizmag.com. Retrieved: April 13, 2010.
4. ^ "Canadair CL-415." baaa-acro.com. Retrieved: July 29, 2011.
5. ^ "Firefighting Techniques and Technologies: Water scooping." bombardier.com. Retrieved: April 13, 2010.
6. ^ "Croatia." deagel.com. Retrieved: July 29, 2011.
7. ^ Keijsper 2008, p. 40.
8. ^ Keijsper 2008, p. 41.
9. ^ Keijsper 2008, p. 42.
10. ^ ^{a b} Keijsper 2008, p. 43.
11. ^ "County leases fire-fighting planes from Quebec." SignOnSanDiego. Retrieved: July 29, 2011.

Bibliography

• Pickler, Ron and Larry Milberry. Canadair: The First 50 Years. Toronto: CANAV Books, 1995. ISBN 0-921022-07-7.
• Keijsper, Gerard. "Water-Bombers Required!" Air Forces Monthly, London: Key Publishing, July 2008 Issue.

External links

• Airliners.net The Canadair CL-215 & 415
• North Carolina Division of Forest Resources Aviation Resources
• Aero Flite
• Bombardier's homepage of the SuperScooper
• Canadair CL-415 MP