Converting From Bombardier CL-215s To Air Tractor Fire Boss Scoopers

After running CL-215 amphibious water scooping air tankers for years, the state of Minnesota is selling the two they have and will be converting to single-engine Air Tractor 802F Fire Boss scoopers.

The CL-215s served the agency well, but Aero Flite, now owned by Conair, is no longer interested in maintaining and operating the aircraft for the state. The 215’s will be sold at auction, and four AT-802Fs will be hired on contract.

The state expects to have the contract out for bids by February.

The CL-215s are listed on the state's surplus auction site. One was manufactured in 1985, and the other in 1987. The reserve on the older plane is set at $50,000, while the newer aircraft has already had one bid for $55,000. Both have logged about 4,400 hours total time.

The auction site says that both airplanes are located at Kingman Airport in Kingman, AZ. The auctions are open until January 20, 2015. The lot numbers, in case you're in the market for a CL-215, are 12726 and 12727.

(Images provided by the State of Minnesota)

FMI: http://www.minnbid.org/