Bombardier Cl-215t

Twin Turboprop

The Canadair CL-215T is a turboprop-powered amphibious flying boat purpose-built for aerial firefighting, representing a significant upgrade of the original piston-engine CL-215 that first flew in 1967. Bombardier re-engined the type with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF turboprops in the 1980s, creating the CL-215T variant that offered 30 percent more power, better hot-and-high performance, and reduced maintenance compared to its piston predecessor. The aircraft can scoop 1,400 gallons of water in twelve seconds while skimming across lakes or coastal waters at 70 knots, then deliver its load with pinpoint accuracy on wildfires, a capability unmatched by land-based air tankers that must return to base for every reload. With its boat hull, high wing, and distinctive sponsons, the CL-215T operates from both water and prepared runways, making it uniquely versatile for remote firefighting operations across Canada, France, Italy, Greece, and Spain. The type's rugged construction and low-speed handling allow it to work steep terrain and narrow valleys where faster jets cannot safely maneuver. Beyond firefighting, some operators use the CL-215T for search and rescue, maritime patrol, and cargo transport to isolated coastal communities. The design later evolved into the CL-415 with more powerful PW123AF engines and upgraded avionics, but many CL-215T airframes remain in active service decades after conversion. SkyMeter has tracked 81 flights across 20 airframes and 6 operators over routes, with Gouvernement du Qubec, Service arien gouvernemental the largest observed operator.