N716CK

The airframe bearing tail number N716CK is a Boeing-built freighter completed in 1998, constructor serial 26408, configured as a Boeing 747-4B5F(SCD). The aircraft is owned by KALITTA AIR LLC, a corporation based in Ypsilanti, MI, US, and is registered in the US. Entered into the U.S. registry under Kalitta Air ownership, this airframe is maintained and operated from the owner’s Michigan base and is noted for its main-deck freighter conversion and side cargo door configuration for rolling pallet operations.

The airframe is a pure cargo configuration with a main-deck freighter layout using a roller-floor/pallet system and a side cargo door (SCD); there is no passenger cabin. Configured for long-range cargo missions, the combination of four Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines and a 4,455 nm range allows it to operate transcontinental and intercontinental freight sectors at a cruise of 490 kts and typical flight levels up to 45,000 ft. As operated by Kalitta Air, the model is used in scheduled and ad hoc freight services where main-deck bulk pallet loading and rapid turnarounds are priorities. Maintenance considerations for this specific airframe center on freighter conversion systems (roller-floor and side cargo door) and the high-thrust PW4056 engines, which define its operational economics and servicing intervals.

The Boeing 747-4B5F(SCD) airframe occupies a niche as a large, long-range main-deck freighter suited to high-volume palletized cargo movements. Competing airframes in the heavy freighter sector offer similar range and payload capability, but the 747-400 series remains notable for main-deck versatility and established operator support. Buyer and charter demand is driven by operators requiring robust main-deck handling and transoceanic capability, while maintenance and resale considerations hinge on engine life, freighter conversion condition, and continuation of logistical support for the PW4056 engine series.