N835US

This airframe, registered as N835US, is a McDonnell Douglas MD-88 (SF) built in 1990 with manufacturer's serial number 53172. The aircraft is recorded as owned by USA Jet Airlines, a corporate operator that has employed the type in freight and charter roles; the airframe underwent a main-deck Special-Freighter conversion prior to or during USA Jet Airlines' ownership. The airframe carries a US registration and, by conversion status and age, is typically evaluated in the context of cargo utility rather than passenger line service. Condition and valuation notes specific to this serial are not published beyond its conversion and operator assignment.

The airframe's cabin reflects a Special-Freighter (SF) conversion with main-deck cargo capability, allowing bulk cargo operations that bypass the limitations of standard lower-deck containers. Avionics fit and exact interior load fittings are not published for this serial, but the SF configuration indicates reinforced flooring, large cargo doors, and restraint systems aligned with main-deck freight carriage. Typical mission profiles for this converted MD-88 include medium-range cargo hops within a continental network or ad hoc freight charters leveraging the aircraft's 2,050 nm range and 438-knot cruise speed. USA Jet Airlines operates a mix of freight and charter services; this airframe would be maintained under corporate heavy maintenance programs appropriate for older JT8D-powered airframes, with attention to fatigue inspections and conversion-specific structural checks.

The MD-88 family occupies a niche as a medium-capacity, short- to medium-range jet that, in SF form, competes with older narrowbody freighter conversions such as stretched Boeing 727 or early 737 classics in secondary cargo markets. With twin JT8D-219 engines producing 21,000 lbf each, the type offers proven reliability but faces higher fuel and maintenance costs relative to newer-generation turbofan conversions. Buyer and charter demand for converted MD-88s tends to favor operators valuing main-deck bulk capability and lower acquisition cost; resale considerations for this serial include aging-structural life, availability of spare parts for JT8D variants, and the regulatory status tied to older airframe models.