Legendary Firefighting Aircraft Returns to the Production Line Once Again

De Havilland Aircraft has announced the re-launch of the DHC-515 Firefighter program, better known as the classic Canadair CL-415. 

Now that the pan-Canadian coalition of aircraft manufacturers has come under a single corporate roof, De Havilland has been free to open Viking's joint archive of discontinued but beloved aircraft to find some aeronautical gems. The new production DHC-515 will base itself on the Canadair CL-215/CL-415, an amphibious water bomber that left production in 2015. 
Less than 100 were built during its run, leaving those extant aircraft a popular member of European and North American aerial firefighting fleets. Current operators should eye the announcement with excitement, given the niche design of the plane. There aren't too many overwing turboprop seaplanes on the market these days - or really, many seaplanes at all. 

With production restarted, the 515 will see a series of improvements, adjustments, and enhancements that will "increase the functionality and effectiveness of this legendarily rugged firefighting aircraft." De Havilland says the first 22 aircraft have been called for by a bevy of Euro customers, provided the deal is approved by the Canadian Commercial Corporation. They expect the first deliveries of the DHC-515 to begin by 2030, after which the production past the initial 22 will make their way onto the market. 

The company expects a good deal of interest in the aircraft, especially from Canadair operators looking to bolster their firefighting fleets or replace aging, ragged units with a functional equal of their plane once again. The DHC-515 will be assembled in Calgary, Alberta the current home to the CL-215 and CL-415 which will soon see about 500 additional employees in the family under the firefighting aircraft program. 

“De Havilland Canada’s investment in Alberta represents a new era of diversification and economic growth in Alberta. With the hundreds of jobs being created by the DHC-515 being manufactured here, the sky is the limit for job creation in our aerospace industry," said Albertan premier Jason Kenney.

FMI: www.dehavilland.com