Retrofit path to install a modern flight deck is now available for aerial firefighting fleets operating CL-415 Waterbombers, increasing safety and operational capability.
TUCSON, ARIZONA - March 31, 2026 – Universal Avionics (Universal) is proud to support the announcement that its InSight Flight Display System has received Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for the De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (De Havilland Canada) CL-415 amphibious firefighting aircraft.
The certification, issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), provides a retrofit path for aerial waterbombers currently in service to replace legacy equipment dating back decades in many cases with the Universal InSight upgrade.
"We are committed to keeping these aircraft in the air and performing at their best," said Jean-Philippe Côté, vice president Programs and Business Improvement at De Havilland Canada. "This milestone achievement between Universal Avionics and De Havilland Canada ensures that the CL-415 stays a reliable and capable tool for firefighters for many years”.
“With InSight installations across the amphibious aircraft family, operators have a path to bring legacy fleets to a modern digital standard, complete with next-gen cockpit capabilities,” said Dror Yahav, CEO of Universal Avionics.
Universal’s aerial firefighting flight deck solution features five glass displays with dual touchscreen controllers, dual flight management systems, and KAPTURE voice and flight data recorders meeting the 25-hour recording of voice and datalink. The system integrates with the UniLink CMU (Communications Management Unit) and UA FlightPartner cloud apps, enabling digital communications and data automation.
The InSight flight display system brings numerous benefits to the CL-415, including:
Enhanced Reliability: Legacy instrumentation is replaced with modern digital displays, resolving obsolescence and extending the airframe’s operational longevity for continued years of service.
Situational Awareness: Intuitive high-resolution LCDs present comprehensive flight information, terrain awareness through Synthetic Vision System (SVS), engine indication and crew warning and alerting messages, providing pilots with a clear understanding of their surroundings.
Improved Safety: Advanced navigation, and terrain cautions and warnings from the hosted TAWS depicted on the SVS and digital maps help pilots avoid obstacles and make informed decisions during critical operations.
Increased Efficiency: In-flight interactions and comprehensive maintenance tracking through cloud data services and third-party providers streamline cockpit operations and reduce pilot workload.
The InSight Flight Deck retrofit for the CL-415 is available through De Havilland Canada. To learn more about Universal’s mission-driven solutions for aerial firefighting, visit universalavionics.com.