One year later, a 180-day sales tour traversing 21 countries commenced using a CL-415 owned by the Quebec Government. On 6 December 1993, the CL-415 conducted its maiden flight, while the first deliveries commenced during November 1994. Having conducted the relatively successful CL-215T programme, the company decided to develop a further improved model of the aircraft CL-415, which would take form as a new-build production series. The most notable external features of the CL-215T retrofit were the aerodynamic additions to the wings and empennage. Despite this, it featured numerous enhancements, including the addition of powered flight controls, air conditioning in the cockpit, as well as various upgraded electrical and avionics systems. Speaking during the new model's development, company officials recognised that market demand for the CL-215T was marginal, and thus not enough to justify developing an all-new aircraft. The retrofitted aircraft were designated CL-215T. This engine provided a 15 percent power increase over the original piston engines, as well as enhanced reliability and safety. ĭuring 1987, in response to prevailing market trends towards more efficient, powerful and reliable turboprop powerplants, Canadair undertook the task of retrofitting 17 CL-215 airframes with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF engines. A total of 125 aircraft were constructed prior to the final CL-215 being delivered during May 1990. Introduced during 1966, the CL-215 was the first aircraft specifically designed to be a water bomber. During October 2016, the CL-415 programme was acquired by Viking Aircraft this company has produced a further modernised model of the aircraft, designated as the CL-515 or the Viking Canadair 515 First Responder. By the time the programme's production phase had commenced, it was owned by Bombardier, who continued production up until 2015. Entering production in 2003, in addition to its new engines, the aircraft featured numerous modernisation efforts and advances over the CL-215, particularly in terms of its cockpit and aerodynamics, to yield improved performance. It is based on the Canadair CL-215 and is designed specifically for aerial firefighting it can perform various other roles, such as the search and rescue and utility transport.ĭevelopment of the CL-415 commenced in the early 1990s, shortly after the success of the CL-215T retrofit programme had proven a viable demand for a turboprop-powered model of the original CL-215.
The Canadair CL-415 ( Superscooper, later Bombardier 415) is an amphibious aircraft built originally by Canadair and subsequently by Bombardier and Viking Aircraft.