N405VS

The airframe bearing tail number N405VS is a 2001-built Learjet 31A, serial number 226, operated by Calspan Corporation of Buffalo, NY, US. This specific jet is maintained in a variable-stability test configuration and is registered in the US, with a reported market value of $986,000 reflecting its role as a mission-modified testbed rather than a standard executive transport. Its ownership is corporate and home-based at Calspan’s Buffalo facility, and registry records emphasize its non-standard interior and mission equipment when compared with line serials retained for executive use. The aircraft’s condition and valuation are shaped by its specialized instrumentation racks and observer seating, which reduce typical executive re-sale appeal but increase utility for flight-test and research operators.

The cabin of N405VS departs from the standard executive layout and is configured specifically for variable-stability testing, with instrumentation racks and observer seating installed in place of typical passenger appointments. Avionics comprise a common Learjet 31A fit of Bendix/King EFIS-50 paired with a KFC-3100 autopilot, while the VSS (variable stability system) modifications add mission-specific instrumentation and data-acquisition equipment. Typical mission profiles for this airframe involve short- to medium-range flight-test sorties from Calspan’s Buffalo base, emphasizing envelope expansion, handling qualities, and systems evaluation rather than revenue passenger transport. Maintenance planning for this aircraft prioritizes avionics calibration, mission-system integrity, and the structural considerations of carriage and removal of instrumentation racks.

As a member of the Learjet 31A family, N405VS occupies the light business jet performance niche with high cruise speeds and an exceptionally high service ceiling for its class. Competing models in this segment historically include the Cessna Citation series and other light-cabin business jets; however, the 31A’s performance profile makes it attractive for specialized missions such as chase, test, and research work. Buyer and charter demand for a mission-modified airframe is narrower than for standard executive examples, and resale value is typically influenced by the cost to reconvert to executive interiors or the desirability of retained mission equipment — factors reflected in the aircraft’s stated value. Maintenance and resale considerations therefore center on avionics and mission-system transferability and the market for purpose-built test platforms.