Adds Autopilot, Flight Recorders To Firefighting Aircraft
Bombardier Aerospace announced Wednesday the Italian government
has exercised an option to purchase 15 additional upgrade kits to
enhance its entire fleet of Bombardier 415 aircraft. Italy had
previously ordered one kit for installation on the Bombardier 415
firefighter it purchased in 2005.
The upgrade kit package is derived from the Bombardier 415MP
multipurpose aircraft, and includes autopilot, nose radar, flight
data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR).
The kit is now being offered as an upgrade to the Bombardier 415
aircraft to enhance its operational capabilities while improving
crew comfort and safety.
“On many occasions, Italy’s Bombardier 415 aircraft
have been called upon to support firefighting efforts in
neighboring countries, as well as to participate in humanitarian
relief operations worldwide,” said Michel Bourgeois,
President, Bombardier Amphibious Aircraft. “We are very
pleased that the Italian Civil Protection authorities have chosen
to upgrade their entire fleet with our equipment, to provide better
assistance to the pilots.”
“We purchased these upgrade kits so that we could enhance
crew safety and improve the performances of the interventions on
the fire as well as aircraft capabilities to match the increasingly
varied and demanding missions in which our Bombardier 415
operate,” said Dr. Vincenzo Spaziante, Vice Director of Civil
Protection of Italy. “The 2005 fire fighting season was one
of the most successful, thanks in large part to our fleet of
Bombardier 415 and I am pleased to have the improved Bombardier 415
in our inventory.”
Since the first delivery in 1994, Bombardier Aerospace has sold
63 Bombardier 415 aircraft.
In the Mediterranean region, France, Croatia, Italy and Greece
currently operate 41 Bombardier 415 aircraft and Spain operates 14
CL-215T turboprop aircraft. Also, 27 CL-215 piston aircraft are in
service fighting fires in Europe.
The Bombardier 415 aircraft has a maximum speed of 375 km/h (235
mph). In an average mission of 11 kilometers (six nautical miles)
distance from water to fire, the aircraft can complete nine drops
within an hour, delivering 55,260 liters (14,600 U.S. gallons) of
fire suppressant.
The amphibious 415 is also offered in a multi-purpose version
(Bombardier 415MP) for search and rescue, maritime patrol and
environmental protection.