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Super Scooper is a nickname given to certain amphibious firefighting aircraft built by Canadair, now Bombardier. The family of three aircraft known as "Super Scoopers" are the Canadair CL-215, the CL-215T and the Bombardier 415 turboprop.
Background
The aircraft flies at high speed (approximately 100 mph) just above the surface of a lake or reservoir, scooping up copious amounts of water into its belly. In just 12 seconds, the plane can accumulate 1,600 gallons of water, to be subsequently dropped onto nearby fires raging out of control. This scooping ability obviates the need to return to a water "refilling station" which could possibly be very far away. A pilot must be certified to operate a seaplane, to ensure water conditions are safe for scooping (i.e., not having choppy waves).[1]
While mostly used to fight Canadian wildfires, this aircraft is also leased to firefighting agencies in the United States for their fire season.[1] In 1998, the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources purchased a 1969 [2] CL-215 from Canadair and employed it over the next ten years in 135 North Carolina fires, plus some out-of-state fires for which it was leased.[3] Super Scoopers are also flown by several operators of countries from around the world, both in air forces such as Croatia, Greece or Spain; government agencies like in France, Italy or Malaysia; and private operators.
References
- ^ a b "Super Scooper Helps U.S. Forest Service Get Handle On California Wildfires". sacramento.cbslocal.com. CBS. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- ^ "N.C. sold Super Scooper on Ebay". Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ "N.C. to Retire Super Scooper". Retrieved 26 March 2020.