Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo vs Rockwell Commander 685

Side-by-side specs, range, and operating costs.

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Dimensions & configuration

Representative planforms, drawn to shared scale.

Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo
41 ft × 34 ft ⭥ 13 ft
2× Piston Retractable Pressurized
Rockwell Commander 685
47 ft × 42 ft ⭥ 14 ft
2× Piston Retractable Pressurized

Flight Profile

Service ceiling, range, and climb rate.

Tap legend to isolate

Arc represents the climb-cruise-descent profile based on published service ceiling and range. Climb rate annotated on ascent. FL180 (18,000 ft) shown for reference.

Mission Performance

Stall, approach, cruise, range, ceiling and climb: best values are at the top.

Mission performance specifications
Specification Piper PA-31P Pressurized NavajoRockwell Commander 685
Stall speed 73 kt81 kt
Approach speed 95 kt106 kt
Cruise speed 231 kt222 kt
Range 1160 nm1251 nm
Service ceiling 29000 ft25000 ft
Rate of climb 1740 fpm1490 fpm
Fuel burn 51.0 gph45.0 gph

Each axis is scaled independently across the compared aircraft and printed in its own units; every vertex sits at the published figure. Higher is better on all axes: Stall, Approach and Fuel Burn are inverted (lower = higher). A missing figure breaks the line at that axis.

Fuel Burn & Range

Range, endurance, and what the fuel costs by the hour.

Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo Avgas
51.0 gph
Baseline
1,160 nm range 4.5 nm/gal 236 gal usable $332 fuel/hr 4h 37m endurance
Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo: 51.0 gph at cruise, 1,160 nautical mile published range, 4 hour 37 minute endurance, 4.5 nautical miles per gallon.
Rockwell Commander 685 Avgas
45.0 gph
Baseline
1,251 nm range 4.9 nm/gal 256 gal usable $292 fuel/hr 5h 41m endurance
Rockwell Commander 685: 45.0 gph at cruise, 1,251 nautical mile published range, 5 hour 41 minute endurance, 4.9 nautical miles per gallon.
Avgas range each cell = 1 hr of cruise · width scales with speed tank-dry · at this cruise burn

Bars show published still-air range: select a cell to view cruise-hours and fuel usage. Endurance is full tank at the displayed cruise burn rate; the extra is reserve and economy margin. Estimates only. Always verify against the POH.

Runway Performance

Density altitude adjusted estimates

Outside Air Temp
0°F57°F115°F
Field Elevation
SL4,0008,000 ft

Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle

Landing ground roll

Density Altitude

Monte cristo

Base distance DA penalty
Scale: 6,000 ft

FAA 10%/1,000 ft DA rule of thumb (FAA-H-8083-25B). Turboprops and jets are less sensitive in practice. Always verify against the POH.

Estimated Operating Costs

Hourly direct and annual fixed costs

Scale:
Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo Avgas
$467 /hr
Baseline
Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo: $467 per flight hour — fuel $332, maintenance and reserve $135.
Rockwell Commander 685 Avgas
$661 /hr
Baseline
Rockwell Commander 685: $661 per flight hour — fuel $292, maintenance and reserve $369.
Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo Piston
$13,035 /yr Baseline
Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo: $13,035 per year — insurance $3,980, hangar $6,000, annual inspection $3,055.
Rockwell Commander 685 Piston
$18,900 /yr Baseline
Rockwell Commander 685: $18,900 per year — insurance $6,000, hangar $5,400, annual inspection $7,500.

Estimates only. Hourly direct operating cost, based on fuel price and reserves; Annual fixed costs (insurance, hangar, and inspection). Costs vary by location, pilot profile, and market conditions. See individual aircraft pages for source notes.

Capability & limits

Payload vs useful load limit

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Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo Piston
7 / 7 seats 236 gal / 236 gal fuel 1,340 lbs wet payload 2,756 lbs useful 7,800 lbs MTOW
Rockwell Commander 685 Piston
8 / 8 seats 256 gal / 256 gal fuel 1,493 lbs wet payload 3,029 lbs useful 9,000 lbs MTOW

Shows selected occupants against full fuel, within the aircraft's useful-load limit. Fuel weight at 6.7 lb/gal jet-A, 6.0 lb/gal avgas; pax and luggage are 190 + 30 . Change payload weights in global settings.

Payload-Range Map

Origin: · two fingers to move map

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