COMMERCIAL CL-415EAF
52 | http://www.airinternational.comsystems will be upgraded, and customers will
be able to pick from options that include an
external engine wash system, an enlarged
cargo door and a ground auxiliary power unit
to run the aircraft’s electrical systems and
charge the batteries for engine starting.
The upgrade aims to confront issues caused
by ageing parts in older airframes and improve
maintainability. Mauracher explained: “With
all the worldwide obsolescence we’re
seeing today, we want to make sure the
in-service operators aren’t concerned about
operational defi ciencies.”
This approach is in line with Viking’s primary
activity of providing product support for the
legacy de Havilland Canada and now Canadair
commercial aircraft. Mauracher explained:
“We do all the modifi cations relevant to the
aircraft in airworthiness, engineering support,
fi eld services reps, spares, customisations,
repair; everything you think of as a normal
OEM like Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, the
same [goes] for Viking. The only di erence is
that product support is our primary business.”
Another key part of tackling obsolescence is
ensuring avionics are modernised to improvefunctionality and comply with existing and
upcoming regulatory requirements. On
the CL-415EAF there will be several new
standard fl ight deck features: GPS, a tra c
collision and avoidance system, a terrain
awareness warning system, automatic
dependent surveillance-broadcast out, a fl ight
management system (FMS) and fl ight director.
Final supplier selection to provide the avionics
is currently underway.
Customers will also have optional extras,
including synthetic vision, a fl ight data
recorder, a dual radio altimeter, a VHF radio/
datalink, a Link 2000+ controller-pilot data
link, an aircraft communications addressing
and reporting system, a dual FMS/GPS,
a satcom automated fl ight information
reporting system and weather radar. Further
avionics options are planned, including an
enhanced autopilot, a head-up display and a
night-vision imaging system.
Mauracher added: “We’ll also be enhancing
water and fi re retardant-carrying and
dropping capabilities.” The CL-415EAF will
have an increased capacity between 1,500-
1,600 US gallons (5,678-6,056 litres) capacity,the capability to drop foam-injected water
retardant and the ability to scoop a complete
tank-load from any suitable water source in
just 12 seconds. Viking says the aircraft will be
able to drop in excess of 125,000 litres (33,021
US gallons) per hour.
Like the CL-215 and CL-415, the CL-415EAF
will feature winglets and fi nlets. It will also
receive component improvements, corrosion
protection enhancements and a fl ight deck air
conditioning system.Producing the aircraft
Eleven CL-215s owned by LAAM have been
earmarked to enter the CL-415EAF conversion
programme. The fi rst converted aircraft is
expected to be completed in 2020.
Mauracher said: “What we’re doing now is
putting together the team and reactivating
the supply chain to get the people in place
to do the conversions. LAAM will be doing
the physical conversions of the aircraft,
Viking will be supplying the kits and the parts
and maintaining all the support required
for airworthiness – product support [and]
technical support in the fi eld.”
To initiate the programme, LAAM will
hire up to 150 technical and support sta
members for its Calgary facilities and Viking
will recruit another 50 sta for its Victoria
facilities to support development of the
conversion kits. Viking will also reinstate its
Viking Academy programme to provide the
specialist technical training required for these
positions.
Both LAAM and Viking are also working
with local institutions, including the Southern
Alberta Institute of Technology, and Viking
is actively developing partnerships with
companies participating in the British
Columbia Technology Super Cluster initiative.New opportunities
During its time managing the CL-415
programme, Bombardier developed a maritime
patrol version of the aircraft, the CL-415MP.The CL-415 Enhanced Aerial Firefi ghter
will have a 1,550-1,600 US gallon tank. The
aircraft is intended to lead the way to a
potential new fi refi ghter, the CL-515.An artist’s impression of
the newly launched CL-415
Enhanced Aerial Firefi ghter,
which will introduce several
structural and systems
improvements to the 11 aircraft
earmarked for conversion.