Piper Navajo PA-31
Piston • twin engine • Low Wing • Retractable gear
Range Visualization
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Payload vs. Range
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Default: 190 lbs (FAA standard)
Default: 30 lbs
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Fuel on board
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Mission Profile
Endorsements & ratings:
- High-Performance
- Complex
- High-Altitude
- Multi-Engine
215
KTAS
Cruise Speed
8
Occupants
1011
nm
Max Range
1418
lbs
Wet Payload
About the Piper Navajo PA-31
The Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (often referred to as the “Navajo C”) defines the entry-level “cabin-class” twin category. Unlike the smaller Seneca or Baron, the Navajo features a fuselage designed for passenger comfort, complete with an airstair door and a central aisle, making it a favorite for corporate transport and air taxi operations.
Key Features for GA Buyers
- Cabin Class Comfort: The Navajo offers a significantly larger cabin than “owner-flown” twins, typically configured with club seating for four passengers plus a pilot and co-pilot (or fifth passenger). The “airstair” entry gives it a professional ramp presence closer to a corporate jet than a light aircraft.
- Turbocharged Utility: Powered by 310 hp Lycoming TIO-540 engines, the Navajo maintains its performance at altitude, making it capable of clearing mountain ranges and weather systems that would trap normally aspirated twins.
- Payload: With a useful load often exceeding 2,500 lbs, the Navajo is a true “load hauler,” capable of carrying full fuel and a healthy cabin load, unlike many lighter twins that sacrifice range for passengers.
Trade-offs
- Operating Costs: The step up to cabin-class luxury comes with increased fuel consumption (approx. 36-40 gph total) and higher maintenance demands for the complex turbo systems and landing gear.
- Insurance: As a heavier, high-performance twin, insurance requirements for pilot experience (total time and multi-engine time) are significantly stricter than for a Seneca or Seminole.
- Size Management: While docile to fly, its larger wingspan and inertia require more careful energy management and ground handling planning than smaller light twins.
Technical Specifications
Dimensions & Weights
- Length
- 32.63 ft
- Parking area (ft2)
- 1906.71 ft2
- Max Takeoff Weight
- 6,500 lbs
- Max Landing Weight
- 6,500 lbs
- Useful Load
- 2,570 lbs
- Fuel Capacity
- 192 gal
Performance
- Cruise Speed
- 215 KTAS
- Never-Exceed (Vne)
- 236 KIAS
- Max Structural Cruise (Vno)
- 187 KIAS
- Approach Speed
- 95 KIAS
- Stall, Clean (Vs1)
- 70 KIAS
- Range
- 1011 NM
- Service Ceiling
- 26,300 ft
- Rate of Climb
- 240 - 1445 fpm
- Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle
- 2,200 ft
- Landing ground roll
- 1,690 ft
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