N217CK

This entry covers airframe N217CK, a Gates Learjet 35A built in 1978 with serial number 217. The airframe is owned and operated by Kalitta Charters LLC, an LLC based in Ypsilanti, MI, US, and is registered in the US. The listed information emphasizes the airframe's long service life and corporate charter ownership; ownership by Kalitta Charters LLC is the primary documented registry fact for this specific airframe. No additional publicized valuation or condition summaries are included in the provided data.

The cabin is described as a typical executive layout with a commonly installed configuration for 6–8 passengers, while the airframe remains certified to carry up to 10 seats. Operated by Kalitta Charters LLC out of Ypsilanti, MI, the aircraft’s performance figures — a 440 kt cruise and 1,930 nm range — support short- to medium-haul charter missions, corporate shuttles, and air-taxi work within continental distances. The twin TFE731-2-2B turbofan engines offer the type-specific balance of fuel efficiency and climb performance that operators rely on for rapid cruise climbs toward a service ceiling of 45,000 ft. Maintenance considerations for this airframe reflect the typical requirements of late-1970s Learjet 35A airframes in corporate charter service, with periodic engine and airframe checks driven by commercial utilization and operator program standards.

The Gates Learjet 35A family occupies a performance niche for light business jets that seek high cruise speeds and relatively long range for the class. With two TFE731-2-2B engines producing 3,500 lbf each, the type competes against other light business jets for charter and owner-operated missions where speed and altitude capability matter. Buyer and charter demand for specific airframes like N217CK is influenced by maintenance history, interior configuration (notably the common 6–8 passenger executive layout), and the operator’s continuity of service; resale and upkeep considerations are typical of late-1970s airframes in active charter fleets.