CL-415

The CL-415 is a Canadian amphibious flying boat used as an airtanker for fighting wildland fires. It is a development of the earlier CL-215. The new aircraft included more powerful turbo-prop engines, improved maneuverability, a slightly larger water tank and a foam injection system to improve the fire suppression characteristics of the water dropped.

The CL-415 was developed by Bombardier Aerospace in the late 1980s with the first deliveries occuring in 1994. Like the CL-215 the aircraft has the ability to scoop water from a body of water or to land at an air field and be filled from ground facilities. It's ability to fill while moving across a body of water has resulted in the nickname of "super scooper".

As with the CL-215 sales numbers have been relatively small due to its specialized use, but it has seen wide international adoption and is in service with many nations including the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Croatia.

In 2016 Viking Air Ltd purchased the type certification for the CL-415.


 * Manufacturer: Bombardier Aerospcae / Viking Air Ltd
 * Crew: 2
 * Payload: 1,621 gallons (6127 liters) of water / foam or fire retardant
 * Gross Weight: 43,850 pounds (19,890 kg)
 * Max. Operating Speed: 223 mph (359 kph)
 * Range: 1518 miles (2443 km)
 * Wing Span: 93 feet 11 inches (28.6 m)
 * Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turbo-prop engines, 2380 horsepower each (1,775 kW)