Viking Aircraft has applied for funding support from the Canadian government to help launch the proposed CL-515 amphibious firefighting aircraft, the manufacturer announced on 7 May.
Separately, Viking subsidiary Longview Aviation Asset Management (LAMM) has formally launched production of the the CL-415 Enhanced Aerial Firefighter (EAF).
Both programmes are focused on delivering turbine-powered versions of the Bombardier CL-215T.
The CL-415EAF programme starts with used CL-215s and raises them to the CL-215T configuration standard.
Meanwhile, Viking also has proposed restarting production of new CL-215Ts, which would be marketed as the CL-515.
Viking acquired the type certifications for the CL-215, CL-215T and CL-415 from Bombardier in 2016, then established LAMM. LAMM acquired 11 CL-215s for conversion to the CL-415EAF standard.
Up to 150 employees will be hired by LAMM to support the CL-415EAF conversion programme.
The CL-515 has not yet been launched, but proposes to restart production of the aerial firefighter after a four-year hiatus.
Viking applied for financial support from the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), which is managed by Canada’s Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED).
Source: FlightGlobal.com
