Canadair CL-415 Super Scooper

The Canadair CL-415, also known as the Super Scooper and later the Bombardier 415, is a renowned amphibious aircraft designed primarily for aerial firefighting. The series also includes the De Havilland Canada DHC-515. Originally built by Canadair, the production of these aircraft was later taken over by Bombardier and subsequently by De Havilland Canada. The CL-415 is an evolution of the earlier CL-215 model, and it was specifically engineered to excel in firefighting missions. However, its versatility allows it to perform other roles, such as search and rescue operations and utility transport tasks.

The development of the CL-415 began in the early 1990s, following the success of the CL-215T retrofit program, which demonstrated the demand for a turboprop-powered version of the CL-215. The CL-415 entered production in 2003, featuring modernized engines and numerous advancements over its predecessor, the CL-215. These improvements were particularly evident in the aircraft’s cockpit design and aerodynamics, which contributed to enhanced overall performance. Bombardier, which owned the program during its production phase, manufactured the CL-415 until 2015. In October 2016, Viking Air acquired the CL-415 program with the intention of developing an updated version, the CL-515, later renamed the De Havilland Canada DHC-515. Production of this new model was planned to take place in Victoria, British Columbia, and Calgary, Alberta, under De Havilland Canada.

The origins of the CL-415 can be traced back to the CL-215, introduced in 1966 as the first aircraft specifically designed for water bombing. Over its production run, a total of 125 CL-215 aircraft were manufactured, with the last one delivered in May 1990. In 1987, Canadair responded to market trends favoring more efficient and reliable turboprop engines by retrofitting 17 CL-215 airframes with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF engines. This retrofit, known as the CL-215T, provided a 15 percent power increase over the original piston engines, along with improved reliability and safety. Despite the limited market demand for the CL-215T, the model featured several enhancements, including powered flight controls, air conditioning in the cockpit, and upgraded electrical and avionics systems. Aerodynamic improvements were also made to the wings and empennage.

Encouraged by the relative success of the CL-215T program, the company decided to develop a further improved version, the CL-415, as a new-build production series. The CL-415 made its maiden flight on December 6, 1993, and the first deliveries began in November 1994. A year later, a 180-day sales tour took a CL-415 owned by the Quebec Government to 21 countries. During the same year, Bombardier announced a six-point improvement plan for the CL-415, aiming to diversify its capabilities. Orders for the aircraft quickly followed from several countries, and by July 1996, 37 CL-415s were in service with operators in Canada, France, Italy, and Spain. Starting in 1998, the CL-415 was assembled at Bombardier Aerospace’s facility near North Bay/Jack Garland Airport in North Bay, Ontario, and tested on Lake Nipissing. Despite a downturn in sales during the 2010s, a total of 95 CL-415s were completed before Bombardier ceased production in October 2015, although the company continued to support the existing fleet.

The Viking era marked a new chapter for the CL-415. Bombardier, facing financial challenges in the 2010s due to the high costs of developing the CSeries narrow-body airliner, sold the type certificate for the CL-415, along with the CL-215 and CL-215T models, to Viking Air in 2016. Viking, a smaller company that specialized in component manufacturing and licensed production of parts for Bombardier’s discontinued aircraft, finalized the acquisition on October 3, 2016. Following the acquisition, Viking began work on designing a modernized version of the aircraft, the CL-515. In May 2018, Bridger Aerospace of Bozeman, Montana, became the launch customer for the CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter,” signing a $204 million contract for up to six aircraft.

The CL-415’s design includes an updated cockpit, aerodynamic enhancements, and improvements to the water-release system, creating a modern firefighting amphibious aircraft. Compared to its predecessor, the CL-215, the CL-415 has increased operating weight and speed, resulting in improved productivity and performance. The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turboprop engines, each capable of generating up to 1,775 kW of thrust. These engines are positioned closer to the fuselage compared to the CL-215’s arrangement, and lateral stability is maintained through the addition of an inverted fixed leading-edge slat on the right-hand horizontal stabilizer. Winglets have also been incorporated to enhance directional stability.

The CL-415 can scoop up to 6,140 liters of water from a nearby source, mix it with chemical foam if desired, and drop it on a fire without needing to return to base for refilling. The aircraft is specifically designed to deliver large quantities of suppressant quickly in response to fires. The water is stored in large tanks located mostly beneath the cabin floor within the hull, with additional header tanks on either side of the fuselage. The airframe is built for reliability and longevity, using corrosion-resistant materials like treated aluminum, which allows for operation in saltwater environments. The CL-415 is known for its good handling on water, making it relatively easy to operate compared to other amphibious aircraft. The CL-515, an updated version, can hold up to 7,000 liters of water and has a refill time of 14 seconds.

To scoop water, the CL-415 requires 1,340 meters of flyable length to descend from 15 meters altitude, scoop 6,137 liters of water during a 12-second, 410-meter-long run on the water at 70 knots, and then climb back to 15 meters altitude. The aircraft can also pick up partial loads in smaller areas and can turn while scooping if necessary. The water bombing system is managed through a centralized water status panel on the flight instrumentation, giving pilots direct control over various dispersal patterns and sequences. An emergency dump lever is also available for manual operation. Bombardier claimed that the CL-415 performs 6.9 water drops for every flight hour. The CL-415GR variant features higher operating weights, while the CL-415 multi-role model can be used for paramilitary search and rescue operations and utility transport.