Bombardier Aerospace is restarting its CL-215T conversion kits program. Nine orders for the turbine conversion kits to be installed on CL-215 amphibious aircraft were placed by the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, AeroFlite – a private U.S. operator, and Buffalo Airways Ltd of the Northwest Territories, Canada.

The total value of the nine orders is approximately $85 million US.

The turbine conversion kits include the proven PW123AF Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines, which will enhance the CL-215 aircraft’s reliability and efficiency.

The converted aircraft will also feature improvements such as the modernization of structural components, electrical distribution system & engine fuel system, in addition to the replacement of manual flight controls by powered systems to benefit from added engine power and reduced pilot workload.

Once modified, the aircraft will perform similarly to the renowned Bombardier 415 firefighting aircraft.

“This is not a new venture,” said Michel Bourgeois President, Bombardier Amphibious Aircraft.

“Seventeen CL-215 were converted in the late 1980s, two with the province of Québec and 15 in Spain, and they have since flown over 70,000 hours and performed more than 170,000 drops. Offering solutions such as conversion kits demonstrates our long-term commitment towards supporting the operators of Bombardier’s amphibious aircraft.”

The Bombardier 215T has a maximum cruise speed of 218 mph and in an average mission of six nautical miles distance from water to fire, it can complete nine drops within an hour, delivering 12,535 gallons of fire suppressant.

FMI: www.bombardier.com