Spooky CASA N768KD has a new owner
The all white CASA CN235 with registration N768KD flies from its base in the US all over the world. Its exact role is not certain. Likely it transports documents for US embassies. The owner of the aircraft has recently been changed from Prescott to VALE MANAGEMENT INC with an address in Kalispell, Montana.
This is a shell company. When searching for the address all kind of companies are registered at this address. Like AUGUST AERO LLC, ZaymsTech, LUXURIOUSLY KREATED LLC, GOLDEN GULF INTL LLC, Infinix Design and many more.
The building is owned by Montana Virtual Office which offers virtual office services.
It is not known why the ownership was transfered to a shell company. The aircraft is still operated by Prescott based on the callsign used. Maybe Prescott did not want to be associated as a company operating for the US government.
To make it more confusing, N768KD was also registered to APA Leasing Inc. This shell company also has a virtual office in Kalispell but at another address. APA Leasing has its virtual office at 478 N MAIN ST. This is where Scott Hilderman has its office.
APA Leasing was also the registered owner of Lockheed L-100 / C-130 Hercules N3755P. And this aircraft is operated by Prescott Support as well. So this makes the circle round. Currently the virtual owner of the Hercules is CARDINAL SERVICES CORP. You guessed it! This company is also located at 1001 S MAIN ST STE 600 in Kalispell. Just as the CASA 235.
Another Casa 235 which was operated by Prescott is N5025. This aircraft has not been seen for about four years. FAA list the owner as Vale Management. Also the exact same address: 1001 S MAIN ST STE 600. The STE number 600 seems to be the po box number in the building.
Other spooky aircraft where the shell owner is registered in Kalispell is this Casa C295 N320FC. The owner is FOXBROOK AVIATION CORP.
The FAA register in 2024 had 1029 aircraft where the owner was located in Kalispell. 706 of them registered in 1001 S MAIN ST. So this is a popular address to register an aircraft.
Montana is popular for registering aircraft primarily due to its favorable tax laws. Here are a few key reasons:
- No Sales or Use Tax: Montana does not impose a sales or use tax. This can lead to substantial savings when purchasing an expensive item like an aircraft, as owners avoid paying the taxes that might be applicable in other states.
- Anonymity and Privacy: Registering an aircraft in Montana through a Limited Liability Company (LLC) can provide owners with a degree of anonymity. The LLC’s name appears on the registration, not the individual owner’s, which can be appealing for privacy reasons.
- Ease of Registration: The process for registering an aircraft in Montana is relatively straightforward, and it can be done even if the owner does not reside in the state. This convenience makes Montana an attractive option for aircraft owners living in different states or even in other countries.
- Cost-Effective LLC Setup: Montana allows for the easy setup of LLCs, which can be used specifically for aircraft ownership. The fees associated with setting up and maintaining an LLC in Montana are relatively low compared to other states.
These factors make Montana an attractive state for aircraft registration, especially for those looking to minimize their tax liabilities and maintain a degree of privacy.
