Piper PA-31 Navajo

The Piper PA-31 Navajo was introduced in the late 1960s as a pressurized twin-engine aircraft. Designed for commuter airlines and charter operators, it offered significant payload and range. The model became widely used worldwide.

‘N86CM’ Piper PA-31-310 LAM Air © Reinhard Zinabold

Overview

Piper United States ICAO: PA31 1967–1984 Active $314,000 (1984)

Piper PA-31 Navajo — twin-engine piston transport aircraftThe PA-31 first flew in 1964 and entered service in 1967. It featured a low-wing configuration and retractable landing gear. Pressurization in certain variants allowed higher cruising altitudes.Two Lycoming piston engines, each producing approximately 310 horsepower in common variants, powered the Navajo. Cruise speed approached 230 knots (426 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 6,500 pounds (2,948 kg).The Navajo became popular with commuter airlines and freight operators. Its cabin size and performance made it suitable for short regional routes. Many examples remain in service today.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Lycoming TIO-540-A
Engine type
Piston
Power
2 × 310 hp · 231 kW
Avionics
Garmin GNS 530W, Garmin 696 with XM weather, S-tek 55X autopilot w/GPSS
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
7
Crew
—
Cabin width
4 ft 2 in  ·  1.27 m
Cabin height
4 ft 3 in  ·  1.30 m
Cabin length
10 ft 9 in  ·  3.27 m
Exterior length
32 ft 6 in  ·  9.90 m
Tail height
13 ft 0 in  ·  3.96 m
Fuselage diameter
4 ft 5 in  ·  1.35 m
Wing span
40 ft 8 in  ·  12.40 m
Baggage volume
60 ft³  ·  1.7 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
6,500 lb  ·  2,950 kg
Max landing weight
6,500 lb  ·  2,950 kg
Max payload
2,450 lb  ·  1,100 kg
Fuel capacity
190 gal · 700 L · 500 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
227 kt  ·  261 mph  ·  420 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
63 kt  ·  72 mph  ·  117 km/h
Range
1,012 nm  ·  1,160 mi  ·  1,870 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
26,300 ft  ·  8,000 m
Rate of climb
1,440 ft/min  ·  7 m/s
Takeoff distance
1,310 ft  ·  400 m
Landing distance
1,890 ft  ·  580 m
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‘N86CM’ Piper PA-31-310 LAM Air

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Operational Context

The Piper PA-31 Navajo was built upon the request of William T. Piper in 1962 to build a six to eight-seat corporate and commuter aircraft powered by two Lycoming engines. The development was given the project name Inca. During late 1964, the aircraft designated as PA-31 was officially introduced after its maiden flight on September 30, 1964. The Pa-31 Navajo was produced from 1967 to 1984 with a total number of 3,942 aircraft built.

The Piper Pa-31 Navajo can accommodate one or two crew and five to seven passengers on board. It has an external length of 9.94 meters, an external height of 2.3 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.35 meters. The low-wing monoplane has a wingspan of 12.4 meters and a wing area of 21.3 square meters. It has a conventional tail with a height of 3.96 meters and a wheelbase of 3 meters. The cabin height is 1.3 meters, the cabin width is 1.27 meters and the cabin length is 3.27 meters.

The civil utility aircraft is powered by two Lycoming TIO-540-A engines. It is a turbocharged, fuel-injected, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed piston engine that produces a maximum takeoff thrust of 310 horsepower each and drives three0bladed Hartzell metal, fully feathering propellers of 2.03 in diameter. The PA-31 Navajo has an empty weight of 1,783 kg, a maximum payload of 1,100 kg, and a maximum takeoff weight of 2,948 kg. The total fuel tank capacity is 190 US gal and the useable fuel is 187 US gal.

The Piper PA-31 Navajo has a maximum speed of 227 knots at 15,000 feet. It has a cruise speed of 207 knots at 20,000 feet, a stall speed of 63 knots with flaps down, and a never exceed speed of 236 knots. The travel range is 1,012 nautical miles at 20,000 feet. The aircraft can fly up to 26,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 1,445 feet per minute.