N517BB

The aircraft bearing tail number N517BB is a Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 601-3A built in 1989 with serial number 5047. The airframe is registered in the United States and is recorded as owned by Gulfview Aviation LLC, an LLC based in Wilmington, DE, US, which serves as the operator/home base for typical movements and registry correspondence. The airframe-specific avionics fit has been modified over time and this airframe in particular lists installations such as Collins ADF-462, Collins VHF-422C and an Aircell ST-3100 Iridium unit; such retrofits reflect common upgrade activity for late-1980s Challenger airframes. Current market valuation for this aircraft is approximately $2,300,000, a figure reflective of its vintage, configuration, and systems status.

The cabin of this Challenger is certified for 22 seats but is commonly fitted in executive service with nine to twelve passengers in a typical forward club and aft conference or couch arrangement, reflecting its flexible role between high-density transport and corporate shuttle missions. Avionics on this specific airframe include Collins ADF-462, Collins VHF-422C and an Aircell ST-3100 Iridium installation, though installed equipment lists vary by retrofit history and operator choices. With a range of 3,290 nm and a cruise speed near 424 kts, typical operations include transcontinental and regional corporate transport, charter operations, and ad hoc executive missions originating from the Wilmington, DE area. Being a 1989-built airframe, ongoing maintenance, avionics retrofits and component life-limit considerations are typical operational factors for this aircraft.

The Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 601-3A occupies the medium-range, twin-engine business jet niche, offering transcontinental capability and cabin flexibility for passenger or corporate layouts. With twin GE CF34 engines producing about 9,140 lbf each, the model balances performance and operating economics relative to contemporaries in the late-1980s and 1990s business jet market. Buyer and charter demand for aircraft of this vintage tends to focus on operators willing to invest in avionics and interiors, and resale considerations center on maintenance status, retrofit history and the certificated 22-seat capability versus commonly desired executive reconfigurations.