Minnesota Purchases two CL-215 Water Bombers from
Bombardier Aerospace
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--JANUARY 29, 2001 - 16:04 EST
Bombardier Aerospace, Amphibious Aircraft today
announced the sale of two CL-215* amphibious aircraft to the State
of Minnesota. Officials of the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources accepted the aircraft in St. Paul. The aircraft are to
be in service for the start of Minnesota's 2001 fire season.
The two Series V aircraft, serial numbers 1082 and 1102 were
delivered in December 1985 and December 1987 respectively, and saw
service under lease in Minnesota during the summer of 2000. There
they made nearly 500 aerial drops and delivered more than 2.7
million litres of firefighting foam and water.
"This sale clearly demonstrates Minnesota's vision in selecting
the unique attributes of Bombardier's amphibious waterbomber which
uses scooping technology as a firefighting platform," said Tom
Appleton, president, Bombardier Aerospace, Amphibious Aircraft.
"These aircraft have retained their value and can continue to
operate cost effectively for many years, delivering potent initial
attack response."
The CL-215 is the piston-powered predecessor of the current model,
the turbine-powered Canadair 415*. In all, 125 CL-215 aircraft
were built in five series between 1969 and 1989. Eighty-eight are
still in service in Canada and around the world, of which 17 were
converted to turboprop configuration (and designated CL-215T*).
In the United States, North Carolina purchased a CL-215 in 1998,
and the Los Angeles County Fire Department operates two Canadair
415 aircraft (owned by the Province of Quebec) under long-term
lease.
The Canadair 415 adds turbine power, modern digital avionics and
enhanced firefighting capability to the CL-215's proven
capability. To date, 55 Canadair 415 aircraft have been sold and
they operate in Canada and four other countries.
Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is the leading
business, regional and amphibious aircraft manufacturer. With
full design and production capabilities in three countries, it
offers the most comprehensive families of turboprop and regional
jet aircraft and the widest range of business jets. It also
provides the Flexjet(R) fractional business aircraft ownership
program, technical services, aircraft maintenance and pilot
training for business, regional airline and military customers.
Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and service company,
is a world leading manufacturer of business jets, regional
aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational
products. It is also a provider of financial services and asset
management. The Corporation employs 56,000 people in 12 countries
in North America, Europe and Asia, and more than 90 per cent of
its revenues are generated outside Canada. Bombardier's revenues
for its fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2000, totalled Cdn$13.6
billion.
(R) Registered trademark of Bombardier Inc.
* Trademark of Bombardier Inc. |
