Canadair CL-215

Peeking through the fence @ Calgary International we’re here to see some very specialized aircraft. Able to handle a number of demanding roles, it’s aerial firefighting which they excelled and where most were kept busy. Presenting the legendary Canadair CL-215, a unique design for a unique job. Whereas most “water bombers” are former passenger-liners or ex-military planes modified for use, these were purpose built. Demonstrating their versatility, they could operate from land or even some remote lake as needed.

Tough as they come, capable and expected to handle what ever came their way, they did the job well. Given the moniker “Scooper”, there were a few variants, with production starting in the late 1960s. Later, upgraded versions we’re made available, differing in the engine and avionics while in appearance little changed. Out of production for a few years, a new derivative has been announced to be introduced soon. All the while many older examples have their service lives extended via a good old rebuild.

In function, the fill-dump process is painfully simple. Once airborne they find the nearest suitable body of water, skim across the surface while topping up the internal tanks via a scoop and then zip over to a hot spot to release the contents. Then they do it again and again, the cycle repeated as often as necessary. Turn around times are lighting fast with a many thousands of litres load taking maybe 10-12 seconds to fill. Countless water drops can be done per day, with refuelling or crew change stops the only down time. The records, we understand, was about two hundred and fifty, and that’s a lot water! Speaking of crews, these brave folks should get a shout out too and our thanks. Cheers!

While most fire fighting aircraft have to land to replenish their tanks, a labourious and time consuming process, the CL-215 in contrast takes water directly from the source in one quick motion and without missing a beat. That’s a big win when time is of the essence.

Given their specialized job, these planes tend to sit a lot of the time, but always at the ready in anticipation of the call to service. Forest fires are unpredictable in every way and consequently these planes often move around to where the action is. Sometimes this means crossing borders and sometimes this means crossing continents. With vast swaths of forest in Canada it’s a natural many of these are based up in the Great White North.

Developed by Canadair in Quebec, an aircraft firm with a storied past, the first CL-215 emerged in 1969. In the mid-1980s, transportation giant Bombardier acquired Canadair and continued production into 1990. With some one hundred and twenty five built up in total, many are still flying today. The ones seen here are mostly from late in production during the Bombardier era. While they were easily configured for other duties, including for search and rescue and maritime patrol roles or as specialized freighters, few were actually use in those capacities.

The powerplants are worthy of note and are old-style radial piston engines, a seemingly a curious choice. You might expect to see these on some 1950s vintage airliner or a World War Two fighter, but here in this application? That they’re tough, simple and reliable made them an easy choice, however, and so are easily up to the task. Long out of production, they sourced used (or new-old-stock) examples and then reconditioned to as-new standards for installation with each new build. Today, a scarcity of parts plus numerous other factors means they’re getting harder to support.

In response to a request for a more technically advanced version of the CL-215, Bombardier answered with two solutions.

First up was a kit, offered starting about 1990, that allowed older CL-215s to be refitted with a more modern turbo-prop engine. These were labeled CL-215T. Then soon after came an entirely new-build variant, turbo-prop powered as well and marketed at the CL-415 Superscooper (or Bombardier 415). There was just shy of one hundred of the latter produced in the years 1993-2015. In appearance, the main difference between these and a standard CL-215 is engine cowling. It’s got a narrower taper with the turbo-prop and so more sleek in a appearance.

Viking Air acquired the rights to the CL-215T/CL-415 program, including announcing a new-build CL-515, along with programs for upgrading older models. One of the aircraft seen has markings showing it as a VikingAir CL-415EAF, suggesting it’s destined to be a demo unit or some such thing. That it still has the old style engines tells us it must only be part way into the conversion. According to the firm’s website, these upgraded one don’t retain their old engines. Viking’s use of the CL-415 designation refers to a rebuilt aircraft, in contrast to Bombardier’s which was a new-build CL-415.

The rest of this group is similarly to be fodder for upgrading with the three in back (with tail stripes) displaying the colours of famed Buffalo Airways from up north. Those guys still fly WW2 era transports commercially – DC-3s and Curtis Commandos! The planes sit across the apron from Longview Aviation Services, whose shop is used the CL-215 to CL-415 upgrade program, in partnership with Viking Air.

What an interesting few minutes exploring these old winged-beasts. They wait for their turn to be made new (or almost new) again and soon after the call to service. There will always be forest fires, so there will always be the need. These CL-215s are unique in the field and interesting in that their part plane, part boat, a warrior at heart and when called to duty, all business.

This piece was photographed during the first wave of Covid and with everyone in self isolation, there was no one about. Not a single car passed by nor a single plane seen or heard. The Calgary airport is normally buzzing with activity, day or night, but this evening, no way. There in the soft light that accompanies the end of day, it was just us, all alone in the silence. These are strange times.

Recommended…
737-200 – another oldie @ Calgary International.
Gas Plant Collection – historic locomotives.
The Big Red Bus – drivers do not carry change.

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, do not hesitate to contact us!

Date: April, 2020.
Location: Calgary International.
Article references and thanks: Viking Air, FlightGlobal.com, Miscellaneous Bombardier Records and finally Transport Canada.

Through the fence @ Calgary International.

A row of specialized Water Bombers.

These are legendary Canadair CL-215s.