Italy Buys Three 415 Amphibious Aircraft

Bombardier Aerospace announced Monday that the Government of Italy has purchased and taken delivery of three Bombardier 415 amphibious aircraft.

With this order, the Italian Department of Civil Protection is increasing its fleet to 16 aircraft, which are scheduled to enter service for the 2004 fire season. The contract with Italy also contains an option to install a Search & Rescue system kit to convert one aircraft to the new Bombardier 415MP multi-purpose version, a variant which is expected to be certified later this month.

Since entering service with the Italian Department of Civil Protection in the spring of 1995, the Italian Bombardier 415 fleet has accumulated over 30,880 flight hours. “The Bombardier 415 has consistently demonstrated its unique capabilities by operating effectively in the rugged and demanding conditions of the Italian terrain. Last season, Italy also supported the efforts of its neighboring countries by sending its Bombardier 415 aircraft in assistance,” said Michel Bourgeois, president, Bombardier Amphibious Aircraft.

“The Bombardier 415 aircraft is clearly the backbone of our fire fighting operations,” said Dr. Vincenzo Spaziante, vice-director, Civil Protection of Italy. “It was the most important contribution to the impressive reduction of our average area burned by fire despite demanding climatic conditions and an increase in the number of fires. During the last season our fleet of Bombardier 415 made 25,601 drops for a total of approximately 150 million liters of water suppressant delivered on forest fires.”

A total of 60 Bombardier 415 have been sold to fire fighting agencies in Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Ontario and Québec. In the Mediterranean region, France, Croatia, Italy and Greece currently operate 38 Bombardier 415 amphibious aircraft and Spain operates 14 CL-215T turboprop aircraft. Greece and Spain also have 19 CL-215 piston aircraft in service.

The Bombardier 415 has a maximum speed of 375 km/h (235 mph) and in an average mission of 11 kilometers (six nautical miles) distance from water to fire, it can complete nine drops within an hour, delivering 55,260 liters (14,600 U.S. gallons) of fire suppressant.

FMI:  www.bombardier.com