N163CK

The airframe bearing registration N163CK is a Gates Learjet 35A built in 1978, carrying serial number 35-163. Manufactured by the Gates Learjet Corporation, this specific jet is owned and operated by Kalitta Charters LLC, a corporation based in Ypsilanti, MI, US, and is registered in the US. The airframe’s history is notable for its long service life as a corporate/charter-configured Learjet; acquisition by Kalitta Charters LLC marks the most recent known change in operational stewardship, with the aircraft maintained to support executive charter missions. Publicly available registry remarks and valuation specifics are not published here.

The interior of N163CK is outfitted in a 10-seat executive layout (operator-configured), reflecting a cabin plan aimed at short- to medium-haul corporate and charter missions. Based at Ypsilanti, MI, and operated by Kalitta Charters LLC, the aircraft is typically employed on point-to-point business routes within its 1,930 nm range and at cruise speeds around 451 kts, enabling efficient regional operations and transcontinental sectors with optimized fuel and time performance. Maintenance considerations for this airframe align with the Garrett TFE731 family’s established support network and typical Learjet ageing airframe inspections; operator-configured cabin systems and charter utilization patterns influence upkeep cycles and interior refurbishment needs.

The Gates Learjet 35A occupies a long-standing niche for light, fast business jets offering high cruise speeds and a service ceiling up to 45,000 ft, suited to corporate and charter operators seeking compact cabin comfort with strong performance. Competing models in the era and secondary market include other light jets equipped with turbofan powerplants; demand from buyers and charter operators often hinges on airframe condition, engine programme status, and cabin configuration. For this particular airframe, factors such as its 1978 build year, serial 35-163, and continuous operation under Kalitta Charters LLC will inform maintenance cycles and resale considerations in the used-aircraft market.