Sorem Deploys Two Canadair CL-215 to Corsica, France

Following a competitive bid award from the French Ministry of Interiors on last May 29, Itlay-based Sorem has won a firefighting contract on the European territory for the incoming summer. Starting on next July 1, two Sorem’s Canadair CL-215 will be deployed to the airport of Bastia, Corsica, which is homebase to the French Securité Civile’s “Grumman S-2 Tracker” aircraft, airplanes converted for the firefighting purpose.

The agreement, fully financed by the European Community, includes a three month sunset/sunrise service, with Sorem providing aircraft, crews and maintenance. The European logo will be displayed on the aircraft tails.

“Such accomplishment makes the all of us particularly proud – was Sorem’s president, Mr Ugo Calvosa, comment – because, beyond demonstrating that nowadays “initial attack” aircraft such as Canadairs are the most appropriate weapon against wildfires, it also underlines our leadership among the aerial firefighting operators”.

Sorem is the World’s largest private operator for Bombardier-Canadair firefighting amphibious aircraft. The fleet owned by the Italy’s Civil Protection Department currently comprises 17 CL-415 aircraft, which will reach19 by the end of this year. All aircraft feature an additional avionics kit, which includes autopilot, weather radar, flight management system and a satellite based communication/tracking system. All this makes the Italian CL-415 fleet not only the largest in the world, but also the best equipped one.

In addition Sorem owns and operates 5 Canadair CL-215, similar to the twin turbopropCL-415, but with recriprocating engines.

Sorem operates the 17 firefighting aircraft of the Bombardier CL-415 fleet belonging to the Italian Civil Protection Department. In addition Sorem owns and operates 5 Canadair CL-215 aicraft, leased to third parties for firefighting campaigns and maritime patrol. The aforementioned activities and the assessment operations led in the past years on the Russian amphibious jet Be-200, make Sorem a worldwide leader in the industry of the aerial firefighting.

FMI: www.aeroservicesgroup.it