Their name, legend. But if you see them flying in the sky, it is not for good. There’s a fire somewhere. In Greece they are the mechanical divine birds, children of Icarus who fight against Hephaestus. The problem is that there is no time for mythology and metaphors. Attica burned. The (many and necessary) Canadairs were missed, and very much so.
“Let’s have twenty more of these” is usually the first thought at any fire. Easy to say. Are you asking if there are any? It may seem unlikely, but red-gold firefighting aircraft are an endangered species. They fell victim to their own perfection! Initial production had been halted for several years. Bombardier had ceased production of the CL-415 model in 2015, as demand for new aircraft had declined and production was deemed unsustainable.
Their “disadvantage” is their durability
Canadairs are specialized aircraft with high production and maintenance costs. Governments and the organizations that use them for firefighting have limited budgets and often prefer to invest in more cost-effective solutions or upgrade existing aircraft rather than buying new ones. They look like they weren’t made with an expiration date. In parallel, there has been the development of other firefighting technologies and means, such as the use of helicopters and other types of aircraft, which may be more flexible or economical for certain applications.
The main thing? Many of the Canadairs built in previous decades are still operational, so there is not a frequent need to replace or purchase new models. In the middle, an issue arose at Bombardier. The manufacturing company went through major reorganizations and decided to focus on other markets and products, resulting in the discontinuation of Canadair production.
Despite the production stoppage, Canadairs are still regarded as extremely reliable and efficient, among the best firefighting aircraft in the world. In 2016, Viking Air acquired the production rights and began looking at the possibility of resuming production, mainly due to the increased demand for firefighting globally due to climate change. For now, it’s in the plans. They won’t start production until they get an efficient number of orders.
High cost and cutting edge technology
They were named after the Canadian company Canadair Limited, which developed and manufactured them. It was founded in 1944 and initially focused on the manufacture of military aircraft. Canadair’s first aircraft designed specifically for firefighting was the CL-215, which was introduced in the 1960s and six decades later remains the best of its kind. It has the ability to transport approximately 5,000 liters of water. Although not of the new era, it is still in use in Greece due to its durability and ability to operate in difficult conditions.
The cost of a Canadair aircraft can vary depending on its type and specifications. The CL-415 model, for example, which is the most modern and specialized model of firefighting aircraft in the series, costs about 30 to 35 million dollars per unit. This high cost reflects the expertise and state-of-the-art technology used in the aircraft, which is designed to operate in difficult conditions and fill water directly from lakes or seas in a minimum of time.
In addition to the initial purchase cost, there are also significant maintenance and operating costs that need to be (and are) taken into account. It has a larger capacity (about 6,000 liters of water) and improved performance compared to the CL-215. It also has improved performance in its operational function and its ability to fill water from water surfaces in just a dozen seconds. It is probably the best known firefighting aircraft, especially in Europe and North America. In Greece, Canadair aircraft operating are mainly CL-215 and CL-415. Important tools for the Greek Air Force and Fire Service.
The… competitors
Is there anything better than the CL-415? Experts say “yes” and name the Russian Beriev Be-200 as such, an amphibious aircraft that can carry up to 12,000 liters of water. It is effective for large forest fires as it can operate for long periods of time and fills quickly.
The mammoth of the skies and the firemen, however, is another. This is the Boeing 747 Supertanker. This is the largest firefighting aircraft in the world, capable of carrying up to 75,000 liters of water or retarding fluid. It is a modified version of the Boeing 747 passenger aircraft. The cost of the Boeing 747 Supertanker is estimated to be between 200 and 250 million dollars. The high cost is due to both the initial price of the aircraft and the extensive modifications required to convert it into a firefighting aircraft.
Unfortunately, only one Boeing 747 Supertanker has been built to date. This aircraft was developed by the company Global SuperTanker Services and has been used in large forest fires in various regions of the world. However, the future of the aircraft remains uncertain as the business faced financial challenges and the aircraft was withdrawn from service in 2021.
#Canadair #fell #victim #perfection
