N157WH1997 Beechcraft Beechjet 400A

Overview

This article describes a single Beechjet 400A airframe, registered as N157WH, built in 1997 with manufacturer serial RK-157 by Raytheon Aircraft Company (Beechcraft). The airframe is owned by Central Iowa Aviation LLC of Ankeny, IA, US, which functions as its operator and base for operations. The entry focuses on the status and configuration of this particular airframe rather than the broader fleet history.

Operations & Cabin

The cabin in this specific Beechjet 400A is configured in a typical executive club layout accommodating 7-8 passengers, with a forward service/galley and an aft belted lavatory; baggage is carried in a compartment accessible via an external door. The installed avionics are listed as Collins Pro Line 4 (typical for factory 400A), although individual airframes commonly receive aftermarket avionics upgrades and this can vary by serial. Operated from Ankeny, IA, US by Central Iowa Aviation LLC, the aircraft is suited to short- to medium-range executive transport missions consistent with its 1,180 nm range and high cruise speed. Maintenance considerations reflect the airframe’s age (built 1997) and the common practice of avionics modernization on many 400A-series jets.

Model & Market Context

The Beechjet 400A (Beechcraft/Hawker 400 series) occupies a light business jet performance niche characterized by high cruise speeds and transcontinental short-haul capability, exemplified by this airframe’s 447 kt cruise and 45,000 ft ceiling. Typical buyers and charter operators value the model for efficient point-to-point executive missions within the aircraft’s 1,180 nm range and modest eight-seat cabin. Market and resale considerations for a 1997 airframe like RK-157 include lifecycle maintenance of JT15D-5 engines, potential avionics upgrades from the factory Collins Pro Line 4 fit, and retained demand from operators seeking cost-effective light business jets.