Important Update: Launch of the Viking CL-415EAF

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The CL-415EAF Enhanced Aerial Firefighter Conversion Program will provide an economic boost throughout Western Canada derived from job creation, aerospace manufacturing innovation, supply chain development, academic partnerships, and global export opportunities.

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Originally the CL-215T was to be a simple turboprop powered development of the piston powered CL-215. Canadair converted two aircraft in 1989 to act as development and technical demonstrator aircraft.

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The first of these flew on June 8 that year. Retrofit kits for piston CL-215 aircraft to the new standard were offered, but Canadair elected not to continue with kits as the internal business case favoured new production over conversion and instead developed the CL-415.

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After its acquisition of the business in late 2016 and based on feedback from current and prospective operators, Viking elected to offer an Enhanced Aerial Firefighter (EAF) option, building on the CL-215T conversion program by offering additional operator requested enhancements. Viking has acquired a number of CL-215 aircraft for conversion to this new CL-415EAF standard. 

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Both the CL-215T and CL-415EAF include winglets and finlets, higher operating weights, an increased capacity firebombing system and the addition of a foam injection system which all subsequently appeared on the CL-415.

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CL-215T vs CL-415

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• A CL-215T carries around a 300lb lower payload than the CL-415 and does not have an EFIS flight deck 

• The major visual difference is the CL-215T has a 2 door bomb bay while the CL-415 has a 4 door bomb bay (which is better, is debated continually by the world wide operator base)

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