CL-215/415: Specs

The CL-215 was designed and built by Canadiar -- a Canadian company -- for fire suppression. It is an amphibious aircraft that “scoops” water from Lakes, Reservoirs, and other open water bodies. It “scoops” up water by skimming the surface of a body of water, without landing. That is, it scoops while it is “flying”. It takes about 10 secs at 86 to 92 mph to refill its water tanks.The first CL-215, sometimes known as a scooper or a Canadair, flew in 1967. This large aircraft is powered by two Pratt and Witney R-2800-83AM 18 cylinder radial engines (2,100 hp each). These are piston engines. Some 215’s (known as CL-215T) were upgraded with turboprops (Pratt & Witney 123AF) that resulted in a 15 percent increase in power. Most of the CL-215’s in service are flying outside of America (Canada and Europe for example). North Carolina has one, Minnesota has two, and a private operator in Arizona has a couple that were under nationwide contract in 2008 (based in Alaska).

Specs (CL-215):

length (ft): 65
wing span (ft): 94
cruise speed (mph): 180
range loaded (st. miles): 550
maximum take-off weight with disposable load on land (lbs): 43,000
maximum take-off weight on water (lbs): 37,700
retardant loads: 550 gallons water
number of gates: 2

The CL-215T’s were a success so Canadair (and later Bombardier) began manufacturing the CL-415 (aka the super-scooper) in the early 1990s with the first CL-415 flying in 1993. The piston engines are replaced by two Pratt & Witney Canada123-AF turboprops (2,380 shp each). The airframe is essentially the same as the one used in the CL-215 with the added power from the turboprops meaning larger water tanks and a longer cruising range. The 415, like its predecessor has a foam delivery system to allow foam to be mixed with the water. The super-scooper scoops water with two four by six inch probes in 12 seconds at 80 mph. It can scoop water from water bodies that are six feet deep by 300 feet wide. The province of Quebec in Canada leases two CL-415’s to the LA Fire Department for two or three months during fire season.

Specs (CL-415)

length (ft): 65
wing span (ft): 94
cruise speed (mph): 223
range loaded (st. miles): 1,310
maximum take-off weight with disposable load on land (lbs): 43,850
maximum take-off weight on water (lbs): 37,000
retardant loads: 1,300 gallons water
number of gates: 4

References used and further information:

Canadair CL-215 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bombardier 415 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Airliners.net The Canadair CL-215 & 415
Bombardier's homepage of the SuperScooper
Canadair CL-215/415 Close-Up by Geoff McDonell