Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain
Piston • twin engine • Low Wing • Retractable gear
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Mission Profile
About the Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain
The Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain is the “big brother” of the Navajo line and arguably the most successful piston-twin commuter ever built. Introduced in 1973 as a stretched version of the Navajo, it features a fuselage lengthened by two feet, allowing for an extra row of seats and a maximum capacity of 10 people (1 pilot + 9 passengers). It became the backbone of the small feeder airline industry in the 1970s and 80s.
Key Features for GA Buyers
- Heavy Hauler: The Chieftain was designed to work. With a Gross Weight of 7,000 lbs and a useful load often exceeding 2,600 lbs, it can legally carry a full load of passengers and baggage, or immense amounts of freight, where smaller twins would be overweight.
- Power & Redundancy: It is powered by two 350 hp Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD engines. Crucially, the Chieftain features counter-rotating propellers as standard equipment, eliminating the critical engine handling issues found in the earlier PA-31-310.
- Commuter Configuration: The cabin is designed for density and utility. While it lacks the pressurization of the Mojave or Cheyenne, its unpressurized hull is lighter and cheaper to maintain, making it ideal for short-haul island hopping or cargo runs.
Trade-offs
- Fuel Thirst: The 350 hp engines are powerful but thirsty, burning approximately 38–45 gallons per hour in cruise, which is significantly higher than the 310 hp Navajo.
- Runway Performance: Due to its higher wing loading and 7,000 lb MTOW, the Chieftain requires more runway than the standard Navajo (approx. 2,500 ft over a 50 ft obstacle), limiting access to very short or soft grass strips.
- Complexity: As a geared, turbocharged, cabin-class aircraft with hydraulic systems for gear and flaps, maintenance bills will reflect its commercial pedigree rather than owner-flown simplicity.
Technical Specifications
Dimensions
- Wingspan
- 40.67 ft
- Length
- 34.67 ft
- Height
- 13.0 ft
Weights
- Max Takeoff Weight
- 7,000 lbs
- Max Landing Weight
- 7,000 lbs
- Useful Load
- 2,681 lbs
- Fuel Capacity
- 182 gal
Performance
- Cruise Speed
- 211 KTAS
- Range
- 883 NM
- Service Ceiling
- 24,000 ft
- Rate of Climb
- 1120 fpm
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