How The $30 Million 'Super Scooper' Plane Was Built To Fight Wildfires

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Highly maneuverable; fill with water in 14 seconds

The CL-415 can scoop up to 6,140 L (1,350 imp gal; 1,620 US gal) of water from a nearby water source, mix it with a chemical foam if desired, and drop it on a fire without having to return to base to refill its tanks.[6] The CL-415 was specifically developed to provide the capability to deliver large quantities of suppressant in quick response to fires. This is stored within large tanks which are located mostly beneath the cabin floor within the hull, although a header tank above this level is present on either side of the fuselage.[6] The airframe is built for reliability and longevity, making extensive use of corrosion-resistant materials, predominantly treated aluminium, that facilitates its use in salt water. According to Flight International, the CL-415 has good handling on the water, being relatively easy to operate in comparison with several other amphibious aircraft.[6] The CL-515 can hold up to 7,000 litres (1,850 US gallons), and has a refill time of 14 seconds.[3]