Canadair CL-215 & 415
- CountryCanada
- TypeFirebomber and utility amphibian
- PowerplantsCL-215 - Two 1565kW (2100hp) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 83AM 18 cylinder radial piston engines driving three blade constant speed propellers. CL-415 - Two 1775kW (2380shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turboprops driving four blade constant speed Hamilton Standard props.
- PerformanceCL-215 - Max cruising speed 290km/h (157kt). Initial rate of climb 1000ft/min. Range at max cruising speed 1715km (925nm), at long range cruising speed 2095km (1130nm). CL-415 - Max cruising speed 376km/h (203kt), long range cruising speed 270km/h (145kt), patrol speed 240km/h (130kt). Initial rate of climb 1375ft/min. Ferry range with 500kg (1100lb) payload 2430km (1310nm).
- WeightsCL-215 firebomber - Empty 12,220kg (26,941lb), max takeoff from water 17,100kg (37,700lb), from land 19,730kg (43,500lb). CL-415 firebomber - Operating empty 12,333kg (28,353lb), max takeoff from land 19,890kg (43,850lb), from water 17,168kg (37,850lb).
- DimentionsCL-215 - Wing span 28.60m (93ft 10in), length 19.82m (65ft 1in), height 8.98m (29ft 6in). Wing area 100.3m2 (1080sq ft). CL-415 - Same except wing span over wingtips 28.63m (93ft 11in).
- CapacityFlightcrew of two, plus accommodation in special missions variants for a third flightdeck member, a mission specialist and two observers. Passenger configuration for 30 at 79cm (31in) pitch, or in a combi configuration for 11, with firebombing tanks retained and freight in forward fuselage. Fire retardant payload capacity of 6123kg (13,500lb).
- ProductionTotal CL-215 production of 125. As of late 1998 51 CL-415s had been ordered.
The CL-215 was planned as a master firebomber, especially suited to Canada and other intensely forested districts.
The ensuing land and/or water capable airplane is controlled by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radials, and is fit for gathering up 5455 liters (1200imp gal/1440us gal) of water in 12 seconds from a water source. The CL-215 first flew on October 23 1967, and first conveyance was to the French common security organization in June 1969. Generation of clumps of CL-215s proceeded through to 1990.
Initially the ensuing CL-215t was to be a basic turboprop fueled advancement of the CL-215, and Canadair changed over two air ship in 1989 to demonstration as improvement flying machine. The primary of these flew on June 8 that year. Retrofit packs for CL-215s to the new standard are offered, yet Canadair chose not to construct new CL-215ts, and rather created the CL-415.
The essential change added to the CL-415 over the CL-215t is an EFIS flight suite, while different upgrades, some of which initially showed up on the CL-215t, incorporate winglets and finlets, higher weights and an expanded limit firebombing framework. Like the CL-215 its guideline mission is that of a firebomber, yet different uncommon mission (counting SAR and sea watch) and transport designs are accessible.
The primary CL-415 flew in December 1993 and was conveyed from April 1994. The new CL-415gr has higher working weights.
Pictures of Canadair CL-215 & 415
