Behind the Shell Companies: The Shadow Operations of Triangle Aviation’s BT-67 and CN-235 Fleet
An unusual movement appeared on Flightradar24 this week. A DC-3 with a registration blocked by the platform touched down on 3 December 2025 at Palermo Airport in Italy. The aircraft, however, is no ordinary Douglas DC-3: it is a modernized conversion known as a Basler BT-67, now carrying registration N272ZZ. After its brief stop in Palermo, the aircraft was scheduled to continue to Rabat, Morocco, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
This article was updated May 19 2026 with news on the purchase of N10180 by a Belgium company.
The aircraft is owned by a little-known but highly intriguing company called Triangle Aviation, which operates at least two Basler BT-67 aircraft alongside several CASA CN-235s. These aircraft are rarely seen, except during their ferry flights between the United States and Africa, when occasional photos emerge. Once they reach the African continent, tracking becomes nearly impossible: the aircraft often stop using their transponders and operate in regions with minimal ADS-B coverage.
This article indicates that two Basler aircraft operated by Triangle Aviation are very likely used for collecting intelligence on, among other things, terrorist groups. The two CASA CN-235 aircraft are deployed for U.S. embassies in the Middle East, with Amman likely serving as their base. From there, they appear to operate flights to destinations including Iraq.
Basler BT-67 N272ZZ
According to the FAA database, N272ZZ (serial 25509, military serial 43-48248) is registered to BIG FLATS LLC, a shell company with a curious name and an even more curious listed address—an entity clearly used to obscure the aircraft’s true ownership.
On 29 November 2025, N272ZZ flew from Djibouti to Addis Ababa, then continued the same day to Aqaba Airport in Jordan after a refueling stop.
On 3 December, it departed Aqaba King Hussein International Airport at 07:00 UTC, made a fuel stop in Heraklion, and continued to Palermo. The aircraft carries ICAO hex ID A2B041 and can be tracked via ADSBexchange.
What is the role of this aircraft?
To determine its mission, we rely on photographs, open-source reporting, and data from flight-tracking platforms. Between 5 and 10 May 2021, the aircraft conducted extended orbits near the U.S.–Mexico border. On 11 May, it returned to its base at Smithfield. The flight pattern strongly suggests a border-monitoring mission, likely tracking migrant movements.
In August 2021, the aircraft was active near Raleigh, North Carolina.
Several photos show a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera installed beneath the nose.
On 2 December 2023, the same aircraft was almost certainly photographed over the Somali city of Kismayo, territory controlled by Al-Shabaab. Earlier, in June 2022, the aircraft was ferried from the United States—via Rabat and Athens—to what appears to be its new operational base in Djibouti. During ferry flights, the FLIR pod is removed, as confirmed by images taken in Palermo. The FLIR camera was allegedly removed at Aqaba airport and a test flight was conducted for certification on December 1, 2025 as the image below shows.
The sister ship
Former sister aircraft, N21BF (c/n 9732, though serial 9832 is also cited), was registered to Dakota Aviation Services and ferried AQJ–TUN–RBA–TER–YYT between 26 and 29 June 2022. Like N272ZZ, it was registered to BIG FLATS LLC and carries identical livery.
N1072M (ex N21BF), also registered to BIG FLATS LLC at the same Durham address as N272ZZ. This aircraft departed on 12 October 2025 from Johnson Regional Airport, close to Triangle Aviation’s base at Smithfield, and flew to Oshkosh—likely for maintenance at Basler. On 14 October, it continued to St. John’s, then crossed the Atlantic, arriving in Rabat on 17 October. It reached Malta on 18 October for an overnight stop after departing Rabat, then continued to Aqaba, Jordan. On 23 October, it arrived at Nairobi Airport in Kenya, as shown on ADSBexchange, after a stop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Unlike N272ZZ, this aircraft can be tracked on Flightradar24, although its transponder is likely switched off after reaching Nairobi.
This aircraft is also fitted with both FLIR equipment and satcom antennas:
https://x.com/thenewarea51/status/1842256535000383900/photo/1
Information on Triangle Aviation
Triangle Aviation states on its website that it provides ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) support. The company advertises:
- “Sensor (ISR) support for USG testing and operations”
- “Imagery support using state-of-the-art Electro Optical Infrared (EO/IR) sensors”
A comment on Reddit from a former Triangle Aviation pilot claims the company also provides embassy support flights, transporting both personnel and cargo.
The Casa CN-235 aircraft
Triangle Aviation additionally operates several CASA CN-235 aircraft, including N10180 (ex N196D) . FAA records list the owner as Two Beaches LLC, registered at a Smithfield P.O. Box (1139). The aircraft has its base at Smithfield. Photos and technical descriptions show these aircraft configured as missionized platforms, most likely for ISR, maritime patrol, or special operations support. Many systems are “provisioned”—structurally prepared—but not yet installed. Their capabilities include:
- Provisions for SATCOM and BLOS communications
- NVG/IR-compatible exterior lighting
- Wiring and mounts for retractable EO/IR sensor turrets
- Multiple antennas for mission radios
- Airframe modifications for an extended nose (optional)
These characteristics strongly indicate that the aircraft were designed for surveillance or ISR operations, even if not fully outfitted.
N10180 (icao hex A00BF4) was spotted in Jordan in July 2024 when it was ferried back to the United States. At arrived after its ferry flight back at the base at Smithfield at July 22, 2024. In the preceding months, no flights of the aircraft are visible on ADSBexchange, creating the impression that the transponder is switched off during operations in the region.
Another CN-235, N595QA, is owned by QUALITY AVIATION LLC (registered at 1942 Broadway, Ste. 314C in Boulder), but widely reported to operate under Triangle Aviation.
This aircraft was ferried n February 2025 from the United States via stops in Valencia and Athens to Amman in Jordan. It was likey spotted at Flightradar24 using callsign ORACLE44 while flying in Iraqi airspace in May 2025 using an invalid transponder code. This callsign was used for the ferry flight to Amman.
Triangle Aviation’s own website features a photograph of a CN-235 that, after a simple reverse image search, appears to be N196D—an aircraft previously linked to the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program, used for transporting detainees to the United States.
N10180 sold.
N10180 was sold to a Belgium company called Reni Aviation. This company will use N10180 to drop Belgium army parachutists. The aircraft is since March 3 , 2026 based at Antwerp airport. More info here.
