BOMBARDIER HAS completed flight-testing of modifications to the Canadair CL-415 water-bomber and is preparing to present the results to France's Securite Civile, which had refused to take delivery of the aircraft (Flight International, 9 March-4 April, P17).
Scooping tests were conducted off North Carolina in early April, to check modifications to reduce leakage from the water-drop doors at high g. Canadair Amphibious Aircraft division president Jim Cherry says that results were "better than expected".
Tests conducted on modifications to reduce foaming of salt water in the tank were "not conclusive", he admits and work continues on ways to dampen the formation of bubbles, during the scooping up of seawater. The CL-415 takes on 6,300litres (1,400gal) of water in 12s and foaming can reduce the water intake by about 5%.
Foaming is a function of seawater salinity and temperature and sea-state, he says. The tests were conducted off North Carolina because conditions there are close to those found in the Mediterranean. Foaming is experienced with the earlier CL-215s operated by France, "...but was not made an issue", Cherry says.
The Securite Civile claims that the CL-415's 15% greater water capacity is largely eliminated by leakage and foaming, and has refused to accept any aircraft. Cherry is optimistic that deliveries can begin in time for France's fire season, which begins in mid-June. Six of the 12 aircraft ordered are ready for delivery, he says.
During the April tests, the CL-415 crew spotted and dropped eight loads of seawater on a fast-moving wildfire. North Carolina is discussing the purchase of used CL-215s for the 1996 fire season, Cherry says. The CL-215s will be traded in by Quebec, as it receives its CL-415s.
Source: Flight International
