Canadair CL-215 facts for kids

This is an American Canadair CL-215 plane.

The Canadair CL-215 is a special Canadian airplane. It's a type of seaplane, which means it can land on and take off from water. This amazing aircraft is mostly used for fighting big fires from the air. It also helps with air transport. The CL-215 has two powerful engines. You can find these planes helping out in countries like Canada, France, Greece, Turkey, and the United States. A newer, updated version of this plane is called the Bombardier CL-415.

What is a Water Bomber?

A water bomber is an aircraft designed to drop large amounts of water or fire retardant on wildfires. The Canadair CL-215 is famous for this job. It can scoop up water from lakes or rivers in just a few seconds. Then, it flies over a fire and releases the water to help put out the flames.

How the CL-215 Works

This plane has special tanks inside its body. When it flies low over a lake or river, it opens scoops on its belly. These scoops quickly fill the tanks with thousands of liters of water. Once the tanks are full, the plane flies to the fire. Over the fire, the pilot opens special doors, and the water pours out. This helps to cool down the fire and slow its spread.

Where the CL-215 is Used

The Canadair CL-215 has been a hero in many countries. It's used a lot in Canada, especially in areas with many forests. Countries in Europe, like France and Greece, also use it to fight wildfires. Turkey and the United States have also relied on these planes. Its ability to scoop water makes it very useful in places with many lakes or coastlines.

Images for kids

• 

  A front view of a Hellenic Air Force CL-215.

• 

  A Canadair CL-215 on the ground. Notice its landing gear is down.

• 

  The cockpit of a Buffalo Airways CL-215. This is where the pilots sit.

• 

  An inside view of the "bomb door" where water is dropped.

• 

  A CL-215T of the Spanish Air Force. This version uses turboprop engines.

• 

  A Canadair CL-215 used for civil service in Canada.

• 

  One of Minnesota DNR's Scoopers. It helped fight the California wildfires of October 2007.

• 

  Water tanks inside the plane. The funnels on top let extra water spill out.

• 

  A CL-215 in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Québec, Canada.

• 

  CL-215s belonging to the Canadian province of Alberta.

See also

In Spanish: Canadair CL-215 para niños