Aero-Flite CL-415 out of Spokane, Washington scooping out of Seeley Lake Friday, June 4. This was a training mission with Pilots Jason Robinson and Denis Boulanger and US Forest Service Inspector Pilot Dolan McDonald.
The CL-415 water scooper lifting off of Seeley Lake after scooping more than 1,600 gallons of water. In a fire situation, the aircraft would go drop directly on the fireline. However, because this was training, they dropped the loads in the lake.
SEELEY LAKE – For many the CL-415 and lead plane that flew around Seeley Lake Friday, June 4 brought up memories of the air show from the Rice Ridge Fire. With no smoke in the air or active wildfires in the area, the CL-415 returned to Seeley Lake for pilot training and qualification.
The plane seen Friday is owned by Aero-Flite based in Spokane, Washington. According to CL-415 Chief Pilot Jason Robinson, the CL-415 was crewed by two pilots and one inspector pilot. A USFS Pilot Inspector was conducting an annual observation for Aero-Flite's Initial Attack Instructor Pilots.
The flight scenario was a simulated fire dispatch northwest of Seeley Lake. The aircraft filled two loads out of the lake. The pilots demonstrated proper air-to-air and air-to-ground communications as well as tactics on a simulated drop in a remote area and dropped both loads back into the lake.
Robinson said Aero-Flight operates a fleet of four CL-415 water scoopers and seven RJ-85 retardant aircraft for wildfire suppression and management support.
He explained the CL-415 is an amphibious water scooping aircraft built for firefighting and is sometimes referred to as a Super Scooper. It has two probes on the belly of the aircraft that are used to scoop water from lakes, rivers and reservoirs. The aircraft makes an approach to the water and skims the surface at about 80 miles per hour taking 12 seconds to scoop 1,621 gallons.
Drops are usually made at 100-150 feet above the ground directly on the fire line. The aircraft drop water only, and do not mix foam or retardant.
CL-415s are used to support ground firefighters by taking the intensity out of the fire, working ahead of ground crews so that they can safely engage the fire. Depending on the tactics and strategy directed by the incident commander, the aircraft may also be used to support retardant lines, slow forward progression, tackle spot fires, support planned burn operations, and establish anchor points for the ground crews.
Robinson said they have previously worked out of Seeley Lake on the Jocko Lakes Fire, and assisted on the Rice Ridge Fire with Canadian water scoopers from Saskatchewan.
The training flight was coordinated through the USFS, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, and the Lindey's Landing West Seaplane Base on the south end of Seeley Lake.
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