N158TW

This airframe, registered as N158TW, is a Dassault-built business jet of the Falcon 20F subvariant completed in 1968 with manufacturer serial number 158. The airframe is owned by SIERRA AMERICAN CORP, a corporation based in Wilmington, DE, US, and is recorded on the United States civil registry as US-registered. The Falcon 20F has been cargo-converted for high-density operations and retains a 12-seat certification; its current configuration and corporate ownership reflect a transition from original executive transport roles into a utility/cargo-support role under the Wilmington-based owner.

The cabin of this specific Falcon 20F is configured as a cargo-converted, high-density environment while maintaining certification for 12 seats, indicating flexibility to carry freight or passengers within the same basic airframe. Operated from the owner’s base in Wilmington, Delaware, typical mission profiles for this aircraft would include short- to medium-range corporate or logistics missions up to its 1,808 nm range and cruise speeds near 405 kts, enabling efficient regional hops along the eastern seaboard and inland continental routes. The conversion and aging-platform maintenance imply focused upkeep on structural and systems items typical for late-1960s airframes, and unique maintenance considerations include support for the older GE CF700 turbofan series and airframe corrosion prevention consistent with its vintage. The cargo-capable layout suggests interior restraint systems and floor reinforcement may have been added or retained for utility operations.

The Dassault Falcon 20 series occupies a performance niche as an early light-to-midsize business jet offering transregional speed and a relatively high service ceiling of 42,000 ft, matching the capabilities listed for this airframe. Competing models historically include early Learjet and Westwind variants; however, the Falcon 20F’s twin CF700 engines and robust airframe have made it attractive for conversion to freighter and specialist missions. Buyer and charter demand for vintage Falcon 20Fs tends toward operators seeking durable, low-cost platforms for freight, medevac, or utility roles rather than premier executive interiors, and resale or continued operation requires attention to legacy engine support and airframe fatigue management for a 1968-build aircraft.