Migration of the flying boats.

With the appearance of the P-3 Orion and the increased use of helicopters for the maritime patrol role in the early 1960s, the market experienced a decline and almost disappearance of dedicated amphibious aircraft, or flying boats as they are known. A revival of that airship is underway--a movement in response to the recent years' spate of natural disasters, but also due, in no small port, to the stability and persistence of one Canadian company.

In tune with our article on natural disaster relief equipment beginning on page 18, a mention of one of the most recognised manufacturer of flying boats, Bombardier Aerospace, and its CL-415 is due. The company's flagship 'boat', the CL-215, was first delivered to the Canadians in 1969 and since Bombardier has consistently produced, and upgraded its product line-seeing the first of its latest type, the CL-415. delivered in 1993.

The CL-415 includes a glass cockpit and a four-door fire retardant dropping system. It can operate in rough seas (up to about 2-metre wave heights), navigate in canyons and mountainous or urban areas and can fly and drop close to the ground in up to 100 km/h winds. The typical drop height for the CL-415 is between 30 and 35 metres, with drops typically performed at a speed of 185 km/h.

Although many cargo aircraft types have been refitted with wet bays and scoops over the years to accommodate fire fighting, they were not 'built' for such stresses. One very famous disaster in Nevada that was caught on a personal video camera illustrates this pattern of thought: in June 2002, immediately after dropping its liquid load, a C-130 tanker lost both wings and crashed into the mountain side.

To further complicate matters, in May 2004, the US National Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management grounded almost all fire fighting tankers pending inspections and reviews. 'Almost' is the watchword here--the Bombardier line is flying unhindered.

A Step Forward

Between the CL-215 and the -415 Bombardier introduced the CL-215T, a turboprop upgrade of the initial aircraft with Pratt & Whitney PW123AF engines replacing the R2800s from the same company. The turbo variant is being flown by Spain (15 aircraft) and Canada (2).

The CL-415 is, as the company reports, the only aircraft designed specifically for fire fighting. To provide an enhanced 'initial attack', which is the first action taken to bring a fire under control, the -415 can take-off within five minutes of the initial fire call and can effect six to ten drops per hour or 20 to 40 drops prior to refuelling.

Drop a Load

According to Bombardier, it takes only twelve seconds with the aircraft travelling at 130 km/h to scoop up the 6137 litres that fill its inner bay (CL-415 version). This action requires a distance of 410 metres along a 90-metre-wide channel with at least a two-metre water depth. The aircraft is not confined to a completely straight scooping path -as it can follow river bends and navigate whilst scooping to avoid visible obstacles. It does require a 15-metre descent and another 15 for the climb out to accomplish the scoop.

Both fresh and sea water can be used to fight fires, but modern techniques dictate that a Class A foam be mixed with the water, and it is this foam mix that gives the dropped water the red colour often seen on the television.

Change of Pace

Bombardier's CL-415 is not restricted to fire fighting, as the company is introducing the amphibian back into the maritime patrol arena with the CL-415MP (MultiPurpose) variant. One option that the company is focusing on is the MPA--role other roles being medical evacuation, oil boom deployment, search and rescue--thus bringing the lifecycle of the flying boat full circle.

An MPA variant could include bubble windows for increased field-of-view, a designated wet bay in which awaits a small craft-the Bom-bardier Jet Boat, stretchers for medical evacuation or dedicated cargo or re-supply facilities.

With the military and civil agencies across the globe viewing flying boats in a different light, Bombardier's CL-415--once described as the 'Hummer' of fire fighting aircraft along with its older--215 and -215T brothers, is generating interest in Asia and the Americas. Europe has embraced the aircraft, with Italy flying a total of 16, after having purchased another three in 2004, and both Spain and Greece also flying the CL-415. Even the older 215s are going out the door, as six of the used aircraft have been purchased in the past six to nine months.

Although this type of amphibian looks as if it belongs neither on water nor aloft, the magic it performs has brought its kind back into the limelight-and for good reason.