N744CK

The airframe bearing registration N744CK is a Boeing 747-446 (BCF) built by The Boeing Company in 1993, manufacturer serial number 26353. The aircraft is owned by KALITTA AIR LLC, a corporation based in Ypsilanti, MI, US, and is registered in the US; its record reflects conversion to a freighter configuration and sustained operator support by Kalitta Air. The airframe’s history is notable for its BCF conversion from passenger to main-deck cargo layout and continued use in heavy-cargo operations; maintenance status and market valuation have been driven by its age, conversion pedigree, and the global demand for large freighters. Registry actions have centered on freighter reconfiguration and long-term civilian cargo operation under Kalitta Air’s corporate ownership.

This specific 747-446 operates with a main deck cargo configuration following its Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) modification, while the lower hold is arranged for palletised cargo; no passenger seating is retained. Typical operations for N744CK involve long-haul, heavy-cargo missions that exploit the type’s substantial main-deck volume and lower-hold pallet capability, operating from Kalitta Air’s US base to international cargo hubs. Avionics and systems are consistent with late-series 747-400 corporate freighter standards, with maintenance cycles aligned to heavy-airframe cargo use and the requirements of ETOPS-like engine reliability and widebody systems upkeep. Specific unique amenities are not applicable; maintenance considerations focus on structural inspections related to freighter conversion, cargo door integrity, and airframe fatigue monitoring specific to high-cycle freighter service.

The Boeing 747-400 family, including the 747-446 airframes, occupies the large freighter niche for shippers needing exceptional volume and payload, with this BCF-converted example tailored to main-deck cargo throughput. Competing models include the Airbus A330/A350 freighters and the Boeing 777F for payload-range efficiency, though the 747’s unmatched main-deck volume remains a distinct advantage. Buyer and charter demand for converted 747-400 freighters is driven by secondary-market pricing, remaining structural life, and operator support; resale and maintenance considerations for N744CK hinge on its conversion quality, engine cycles on the GE CF6-80C2B1F package, and continued market need for ultra-large freighters.