WEEK OF MAY 3, 2026 — FIREFIGHTING AIRCRAFT IN FOCUS

Seaplane Sunday

A busy week for aerial firefighting: new contracts, scooper deployments, and a look at the specialized fleet that drops thousands of gallons on wildfires.

Firefighting aircraft take center stage

As wildfire season ramps up in the western U.S. and Mediterranean, operators are positioning CL-415s and DHC-515s for the months ahead. Here's what happened this week.

Wildfire prep kicks into high gear

U.S. Forest Service signs new call‑when‑needed scooper contracts
CONTRACTS & DEPLOYMENTS — APRIL 27 – MAY 3, 2026

The U.S. Forest Service finalized two new exclusive-use contracts for firefighting seaplanes this week, both effective immediately. Aero Flite Inc. (based out of Kingman, Ariz.) will station one CL-415EAF “Super Scooper” at its usual tanker base in Sacramento McClellan, while the second contract goes to Quebec-based Airborne Firefighting Solutions, which will pre-position a CL-415 at Grey Butte, California, near the edge of the Sierra Nevada. (USFS acquisition notices, May 1, 2026)

May 1, 2026 Sacramento / Grey Butte, CA 180-day exclusive use

Why the scoopers matter now

“We’re seeing earlier and more erratic fire behavior, especially in the wildland-urban interface,” said a USFS aviation officer. “Having scoopers within 15 minutes of the lakes and reservoirs in northern California means we can hit a fire hard before it runs.” The two CL-415s can each scoop 1,620 US gallons in 12 seconds from any nearby water source as low as 1,200 feet long and 300 feet wide.

1,620 gal
Per CL-415 drop
12 sec
Scoop & refill time
14
Drop cycles per hour

Meanwhile, the European Forest Fire Tactical Reserve announced its first pre‑season positioning for 2026: two CL-415s from the Italian Civil Protection Department will arrive at Marseille Provence Airport by May 10, while a Spanish CL-215T will deploy to Athens. The EU’s rescEU fleet now counts nine amphibious aircraft ready to respond across southern Europe. (European Commission statement, April 30)

USFS Fire & Aviation EU rescEU Fleet

On the ramp: Officials from De Havilland Canada flew a DHC-515 demonstration for the California Department of Forestry (CAL FIRE) in Sacramento on May 2. The DHC-515 — an upgraded successor to the CL-415 — carries 200 more gallons per load and features modernized cockpit. CAL FIRE has not committed yet but confirmed it is evaluating the type for possible future acquisition. A decision could come by late summer.

Lessons from the southern hemisphere

New Zealand wraps its heaviest seaplane fire season
POST-SEASON REPORT — MAY 1, 2026

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) released its summer aviation summary this week, crediting two leased CL-415EAFs with stopping three major wildland fires on the South Island before they reached populated valleys. The seaplanes operated out of Lake Pukaki and Lake Wānaka, flying 217 sorties between December and April. Total water dropped: 351,540 gallons. (FENZ operational summary, May 1, 2026)

Fire boss perspective

"Without the scoopers, we would have lost at least 14 structures in the Pukaki blaze in February," said incident commander Tony Greer. "Seaplanes reload in minutes while helicopters are trucking back to a helibase. That matters when wind shifts."

2027 pre‑planning

FENZ confirmed it will extend the contract for both CL-415s next season, adding a third aircraft on rotating standby from November 2026 through March 2027. The agency also trialed a new water‑soluble foam injection system this season; results are still being analyzed.

Takeaway: Amphibious firefighting aircraft are no longer niche. Both the USFS and international agencies are leaning into them as reliable initial-attack tools, especially in regions with abundant lakes and reservoirs.

Next‑gen scoopers are coming

De Havilland Canada ramps up 515 production; Greece proceeds with CL-415 modernization

De Havilland Canada confirmed this week that the first customer DHC-515 for the European Union is now in final assembly at Calgary’s new firefighting aircraft centre. The aircraft (c/n 001) is expected to fly in July and will be delivered to the rescEU fleet before the 2027 fire season. According to a company statement, DHC has firm orders for 12 units from Greece, Croatia, and the EU Commission combined.

Greece avionics upgrade program

The Hellenic Air Force officially launched the €43 million modernization of its 7 CL-415s on May 2. The update includes new Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion glass cockpits, terrain awareness systems, and enhanced water drop automation. Work will be done at Elefsis Air Base; first upgraded aircraft returns to service in late 2027.

Catalina SPAR update

Catalina Aircraft Company announced it has completed the initial wind-tunnel testing for its clean-sheet SPAR (Search, Protect, and Rescue) firefighting amphibian. The SPAR uses two PT6A-140 turboprops and a reinforced airframe. Target water capacity: 1,800 gallons, with a simple single-point scoop system. Company says SPAR is on track for 2029 certification.

12
DHC-515s on order
2027
First EU deliveries
€43M
Greek modernization

Also from the flight line

Tanker conversion, hybrid floats, and a new seaplane base

Oregon Tanker Base expansion

The Oregon Department of Forestry approved a $6.2 million upgrade to the Lake Billy Chinook scooper base. Improvements include a new maintenance hangar and a dedicated retardant loading pad for amphibious aircraft. Construction starts June 2026.

Tidal Flight Polaris – electric amphibian

Virginia-based Tidal Flight secured an additional $1.2 million from the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority to continue development of the Polaris hybrid-electric seaplane. The company aims to deliver a proof-of-concept in late 2027. (VIPA announcement, Apr 29)

Private seaplane base – Minnesota

The FAA accepted a notice for a proposed private seaplane landing area on Emmas Bay, Pequot Lakes (Docket No. 2026-2468). Visual flight rules only, day use, pilot assumes all risk. No public access planned.