Piper PA-31 Navajo 1

Piper PA-31 Navajo

PA-31

Piper PA-31 Navajo

Role Civil utility aircraft

Manufacturer Piper Aircraft

First flight 30 September 1964

Introduction 30 March 1967

Status Active service

Produced 1967–1984

Number built 3942

Variants Piper PA-31T Cheyenne

The Piper PA-31 Navajo is a family of cabin-class, twin-engine aircraft designed and built by Piper Aircraft for the
general aviation market, most using Lycoming engines. It was also licence-built in a number of Latin American
countries. Targeted at small-scale cargo and feeder liner operations and the corporate market, the aircraft was a
success. It continues to prove a popular choice, but due to greatly decreased demand across the general aviation
sector in the 1980s, production of the PA-31 ceased in 1984.

Design and development

At the request of company founder William T. Piper, Piper began
development of a six- to eight-seat twin engine corporate and
commuter transport aircraft in 1962 under the project name Inca. The
type, now designated the PA-31 and looking like a scaled-up Twin
Comanche, was officially announced in late 1964 after its first flight on
30 September that year. It was a low-wing monoplane with a
conventional tail, powered by two 310 hp (231 kW) Lycoming
TIO-540-A turbocharged engines in so-called "tiger shark" cowlings, a
feature shared with the Twin Comanche and also the PA-23 Aztec. As The 30th production Navajo, fitted with
two-bladed propellers and early two-part airstair
testing proceeded two cabin windows were added to each side of the
cabin entry door (without the third door,
fuselage and the engines moved further forward. The PA-31, now introduced later)
named "Navajo" after a Native American tribe, was not certified by the
Piper PA-31 Navajo 2

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) until 24 February 1966, and

deliveries did not begin until the following year, after the type was
re-certified in mid-1966 with an increase in maximum take off weight
(MTOW) from 6,200 lb (2,812 kg) to 6,500 lb (2,948 kg).
The PA-31-300 was the next model, certified by the FAA in June
1967. This model was the only one of the PA-31 series not to have
turbocharged engines. A pair of 300 hp (224 kW) Lycoming
IO-540-M1A5 engines were fitted to the PA-31-300, driving
A modified PA-31P Pressurized Navajo, fitted
two-bladed propellers. Following the introduction of the PA-31-300 with winglets
the turbocharged model began to be known unofficially as the
PA-31-310. The PA-31-300 was only produced in 1968 and 1969 and
had the smallest production total for any PA-31 series model, with only
14 aircraft built.

The next member of the family was also Piper's first pressurized
aircraft, the PA-31P Pressurized Navajo, certified in late 1969.
Development of the PA-31P had begun in January 1966, before the
FAA had awarded the PA-31 a Type certificate. The PA-31P was
powered by 425 hp (317 kW) Lycoming TIGO-541-E engines and
compared to earlier models had a longer nose, fewer and smaller An Air South West PA-31 in service at Dublin
windows, 25 US gal (95 l) fuel tanks in the engine nacelles and a Airport in 1994

one-piece airstair cabin entry door instead of the split pair of doors on
the unpressurized models. MTOW was greatly increased at 7,800 lb
(3,538 kg). Also known unofficially as the PA-31P-425, the PA-31P
was produced from 1970 to 1977. In 1971 Piper introduced
improvements to the PA-31 model. The Navajo B featured
airconditioning, increased baggage space achieved by the addition of
storage lockers in the rear part of extended nacelles, a third door next
to the cabin entry doors to facilitate the loading of baggage, and an
optional separate door for the pilot to enter the cockpit.
1980 Navajo Chieftain
In September 1972 Piper unveiled the PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, a
stretched version of the Navajo B with more powerful engines and
counter-rotating propellers to prevent critical engine handling
problems. The fuselage was lengthened by 2 ft 0 in (0.61 m), allowing
for up to ten seats in total. Variants of the Lycoming TIO-540
developing 350 hp (261 kW) were fitted to the Chieftain, with an
opposite-rotation LTIO-540 installed on the right-hand wing; MTOW
was increased to 7,000 lb (3,175 kg). The Chieftain's introduction was
delayed by a flood at Piper's factory at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
caused by Hurricane Agnes, and deliveries did not commence until
1973. In 1974 Piper used a Navajo B as the basis for developing a new A PA-31P-350 Mojave

model, the PA-31-325 Navajo C/R. The Navajo C/R had lower-power
versions of the counter-rotating engines of the Chieftain, rated at 325 hp (242 kW). After certification of the
PA-31-325 in May 1974, production commenced in the 1975 model year. The Navajo B was also superseded in the
1975 model year, by the Navajo C version of the PA-31 model.
Piper PA-31 Navajo 3

Piper established its T1000 Airliner Division in May 1981 at its Lakeland, Florida factory. There were two aircraft in
the T1000 series. The T1020, or more accurately the PA-31-350T1020 was a PA-31-350 Chieftain optimised for and
marketed to the commuter airline market. It featured reduced fuel capacity compared to the standard Chieftain, with
the 40 US gal (151 l) auxiliary fuel tanks in each wing of the Chieftain not fitted to the T1020. It also had reduced
baggage capacity (600 lb (272 kg) maximum instead of the Chieftain's 700 lb (318 kg) maximum) and up to eleven
seats. The first T1020 was delivered in December 1981. The second aircraft in the T1000 stable was the T1040 – the
PA-31T3 model. The T1040 was a hybrid, featuring the main fuselage of the PA-31-350T1020 with the nose and tail
of the PA-31T1 Cheyenne I. The wings were similar to the Cheyenne I's, but with reduced fuel capacity and baggage
lockers in the engine nacelles similar to those of the Chieftain. An optional underbelly cargo pod was also available.
The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-11 turboprop engines were the same as those of the Cheyenne I. Deliveries of
the T1040 began in July 1982. A T1050 variant with a fuselage stretch of 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m) and seating capacity of
17 was proposed as a factory conversion of existing aircraft, but did not proceed.
The last member of the PA-31 family to enter production was the PA-31P-350 Mojave. Like the T1040 the Mojave
was a hybrid, but whereas the T1040 was essentially a turboprop Chieftain the Mojave was more-or-less a
piston-engine version of the Cheyenne. The Mojave combined the fuselage of the Cheyenne I with the tail of the
Chieftain. The wings were similar to the Chieftain's, but with greater structural strength, a 4 ft (1.2 m) increase in
wingspan and greater fuel capacity of 243 US gal (920 l). The engines were slightly different variants of the
Chieftain's TIO-540 and LTIO-540, being fitted with intercoolers, and like the Chieftain had baggage lockers on the
rear part of the nacelles. The Mojave's MTOW of 7,200 lb (3,266 kg) was 200 lb (91 kg) higher than the Chieftain's.
Certified in 1983, like the T1020 and T1040 the Mojave was introduced at a time of economic recession and was
only produced in 1983 and 1984; combined production of the T1020, T1040 and Mojave amounted to less than 100
aircraft. Two experimental PA-31-353s were also built in the mid-1980s.

Licence manufacture
The PA-31 series was manufactured under licence in several countries from kits of parts supplied by Piper. Chincul
SACAIFI in Argentina assembled most of the series as the PA-A-31, PA-A-31-325, PA-A-31P and PA-A-31-350
and Aero Industrial Colombiana SA (AICSA) in Colombia assembled PA-31, PA-31-325 and PA-31-350 aircraft.
The PA-31-350 Chieftain was also assembled under licence in Brazil by Embraer as the EMB 820C Navajo. In
1984, Embraer subsidiary company Indústria Aeronáutica Neiva began converting Embraer EMB 820Cs by
installing Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engines; Neiva called the converted aircraft the Carajá.

Variants
PA-31 Navajo
Initial production version, also known unofficially as the PA-31-310.
PA-31-300 Navajo
Variant of the Navajo with normally aspirated engines; 14 built.
PA-31 Navajo B
Marketing name for 1971 improved variant with 310 hp (231 kW) Lycoming TIO-540-E turbo-charged piston
engines, new airconditioning and optional pilot access door and optional wide utility door.[]
PA-31 Navajo C
Marketing name for 1974 improved variant with 310 hp (231 kW) Lycoming TIO-540-A2C engines and other
minor improvements.
PA-31P Pressurized Navajo
Piper PA-31 Navajo 4

Pressurized version of the PA-31 Navajo, powered by two 425-hp (317-kW) Lycoming TIGO-541-E1A piston
engines.
PA-31-325 Navajo
Referred to as the "Navajo C/R" for Counter Rotating; variant of Navajo with counter-rotating propellers
introduced with the PA-31-350 Chieftain. 325 hp (242 kW) Lycoming TIO-540 / LTIO-540 engines
PA-31-350 Chieftain
Stretched version of the Navajo with more powerful 350-hp (261-kW) engines that rotate in opposite
directions (a Lycoming TIO-540 and a Lycoming LTIO-540) to eliminate critical engine issues.
PA-31P-350 Mojave
Piston-engine variant of the PA-31T1 Cheyenne I; 50 aircraft built.
PA-31-350T1020
Also known as the T1020/T-1020; variant of the PA-31-350 Chieftain optimised for commuter airline use,
with less baggage and fuel capacity and increased seating capacity (nine passengers). First flight September
25, 1981. 21 built.[1]
PA-31T3
Also known as the T1040/T-1040; turboprop powered airliner with fuselage of the PA-31-350T1020, and
wings, tail and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-11 engines of PA-31T Cheyenne. First flight July 17, 1981. 24
built.[2]
PA-31-353
Experimental version of PA-31-350; two built.
T1050
Unbuilt airliner variant with fuselage lengthened by 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m) compared to the PA-31-350.
EMB 820C
Version of Chieftain built under licence by Embraer in Brazil.
Neiva Carajá
Turboprop conversion of EMB 820C, fitted with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 engines flat-rated to
550shp. The Carajá's MTOW of 8,003lbs was 1000lbs more than that of the Chieftain.
Colemill Panther
Re-engined Navajo with 350 hp (261 kW) Lycoming TIO-540-J2B engines, 4-blade "Q-Tip" propellers and
optional winglets. Conversion designed by Colemill Enterprises of Nashville, Tennessee.[3][4]

Number built
Type Built Location

PA-31 1785 Lock Haven

Lakeland

PA-31-350 1825 Lock Haven

Lakeland

T-1020 21 Lakeland

PA-31-353 2 Lakeland

PA-31P 259 Lock Haven

PA-31P-350 50 Lock Haven

Total 3942
Piper PA-31 Navajo 5

Operators

Civil
The Navajo family is popular with air charter companies and small feeder airlines in many countries, and is also
operated by private individuals and companies.

Military
 Bahamas
• Royal Bahamas Defence Force
 Finland
• Finnish Air Force Former operator
 Honduras
• Honduras Air Force
 Kenya
• Kenya Air Force Former operator
 Dominican Republic
• Dominican Air Force
 Sweden
• Royal Swedish Air Force
• Royal Swedish Navy
 Trinidad and Tobago
• Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Former Operator

Specifications (PA-31 Navajo)

[5]
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77

General characteristics
• Crew: 1 or 2
• Capacity: 5 to 7 passengers
• Length: 32 ft 7½ in (9.94 m)
• Wingspan: 40 ft 8 in (12.40 m)
• Height: 13 ft 0 in (3.96 m)
• Wing area: 229 sq. ft (21.3 m²)
• Empty weight: 3,930 lb (1,782 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 6,500 lb (2,948 kg) Piper PA-31 Navajo instrument panel

• Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming TIO-540-A air-cooled six-cylinder horizontally opposed piston engine, 310 hp (231
kW) each
• Propellers: Two or three blade, metal, fully feathering, Hartzell propeller
Performance
• Never exceed speed: 236 knots[6] (438 km/h (272 mph))
Piper PA-31 Navajo 6

• Maximum speed: 227 knots (420 km/h (260 mph)) at 15,000 ft (4,600 m)

• Cruise speed: 207 knots (383 km/h (238 mph)) econ cruise at 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
• Stall speed: 63.5 knots (118 km/h (73 mph)) flaps down
• Range: 1,011 nmi (1,875 km (1,165 mi))
• Service ceiling: 26,300 ft (8,015 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,445 ft/min (7.3 m/s)

References
Notes
[1] Taylor 1982, pp. 450–451.
[2] Taylor 1982, p. 451.
[3] Michell 1994, p. 305.
[4] FAA Supplemental Type Certificate SA970SO (http:/ / www. airweb. faa. gov/ Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/ rgstc. nsf/ 0/
2f58550886156cf78625784e00783bd0/ $FILE/ SA970SO. pdf)
[5] Taylor 1976, p.355.
[6] "TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. A20SO" (http:/ / rgl. faa. gov/ Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/ rgMakeModel. nsf/ 0/
a054def09bc25c9f86257690006dbb8c/ $FILE/ A20SO. pdf). Federal Aviation Administration, 23 September 2009. Retrieved 7 September
2010.

Bibliography
• Barnett, Cliff. "Piper looks ahead" Flight International magazine, 24 September 1983, p.833 (online archive
version) (http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1983/1983 - 1787.html) retrieved 2010-04-03.
• Bonelli, Regis and Pinheiro, Armando Castelar. New Export Activities in Brazil: Comparative Advantage, Policy
or Self-Discovery (http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=1540824), Research Network
Working Paper #R-551, Inter-American Development Bank, July 2008.
• Flight Magazine, Volume 54, No. 11, November 1965. Air Review Publishing Corporation, Dallas, Texas.
• Lambert, Mark. "In the air: Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche", Flight International magazine, 12 September 1963,
pp. 468–470 (online archive version) (http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1963/1963 - 1658.
html).
• Levy, Howard. "Piper consolidates at Lakeland", Flight International magazine, 30 April 1983, pp.1152 (http://
www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1983/1983 - 0748.html) and 1153 (http://www.flightglobal.com/
pdfarchive/view/1983/1983 - 0749.html). Online archive version retrieved 2010-04-03.
• Marsh, David. EUROCONTROL Trends in Air Traffic, volume 1; Getting to the Point: Business Aviation in
Europe (http://www.ebaa.org/documents/act_download_doc/item/455d7b5f658bf) European Organisation
for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) May 2006. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
• Michell, Simon. Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994–95. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group,
1994. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.
• Piper Aircraft Inc. Customer Service Information File 2009 (http://www.piper.com/company/publications/
Customer_Service_Info.pdf) retrieved 2010-04-08
• Piper Airplane Parts Catalog: PA-31 Navajo, PA-31-300 Navajo, PA-31-325 Navajo C/R; September 10, 2009.
Piper Aircraft Corporation, Manual Part Number 753-703
• Piper Navajo Information Manual, Revision 9, March 18, 1994. Piper Aircraft Corporation, Manual Part Number
761-723
• Piper Navajo Pilot's Operating Manual, Revision 34, April 22nd 2002. Piper Aircraft Corporation, Manual Part
Number 761-456
• Piper T1020 Parts Catalog, Revision 10, September 10, 2009. Piper Aircraft Corporation, Manual Part Number
761-775
• Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1976, ISBN
0-354-00538-3.
Piper PA-31 Navajo 7

• Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1982, ISBN
0-7106-0748-2.
Article Sources and Contributors 8

Article Sources and Contributors

Piper PA-31 Navajo  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=568492510  Contributors: 777sms, ARHAPSTF, Aadrover, Abc836, Ahunt, Akradecki, Alai, Andrew Gray, Antheii,
AntonioMartin, Apalsola, Arpingstone, Arthena, Balcer, BilCat, Bobblewik, Bovineone, C628, CYQT, CambridgeBayWeather, Camilo Sanchez, Carina22, Change1211, Chesipiero, Chris the
speller, Chrisch, Chrislk02, Crwesq@gmail.com, Dave maing, Dazonic, Delta 51, Dhc2widow, Dolphin51, Drironfingers, Dumplestilskin, Ericg, Fnlayson, Gaius Cornelius, Girdi, Golbez,
Griffinofwales, HiFlyChick, Jay8g, John of Reading, JohnSheppard25, Jpablo2, Karl Dickman, Lightmouse, MJHankel, Macintosher, MilborneOne, Mittelwelle, MoRsE, Mtaylor848, Nguyen
QuocTrung, Nick Moss, Nigel Ish, Nimbus227, Nohomers48, NorthnBound, Plasticup, Ramon FVelasquez, Raymondwinn, Rlandmann, RuthAS, SkyeWaye, Spot87, SriMesh, Tentinator, The
Bushranger, Trekphiler, Trevor MacInnis, Wehttam67, WhisperToMe, Win0922, YSSYguy, 75 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

File:Piper PA-31 Navajo St Catharines 1.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Piper_PA-31_Navajo_St_Catharines_1.jpg  License: Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported  Contributors: User:Balcer
File:VHXGL.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:VHXGL.JPG  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: Original uploader was YSSYguy
at en.wikipedia
File:VHSGA.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:VHSGA.JPG  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: Original uploader was YSSYguy
at en.wikipedia
File:Air South West (G-BWAS), Dublin, June 1994.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Air_South_West_(G-BWAS),_Dublin,_June_1994.jpg  License: Creative
Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: Ardfern
File:G-STHA-Navajo.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:G-STHA-Navajo.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: MilborneOne
File:Piper PA-31P-350 Mojave (VH-PGW).jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Piper_PA-31P-350_Mojave_(VH-PGW).jpg  License: Creative Commons
Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: Original uploader was YSSYguy at en.wikipedia
File:Flag of the Bahamas.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_the_Bahamas.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Bahamas government
File:Flag of Finland.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Finland.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Drawn by User:SKopp
File:Flag of Honduras.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Honduras.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: D1990, Denelson83, ECanalla, Feydey, Fred J,
Homo lupus, Klemen Kocjancic, Mattes, Matthew hk, Neq00, Oak27, Pumbaa80, Rocket000, RubiksMaster110, SKopp, ThomasPusch, Tocino, Vzb83, Yuval Madar, ZooFari, Zscout370, 10
anonymous edits
File:Flag of Kenya.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Kenya.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:Pumbaa80
File:Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_the_Dominican_Republic.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors:
User:Nightstallion
File:Flag of Sweden.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Sweden.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Anomie
File:Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: AnonMoos,
Boricuaeddie, Duduziq, Enbéká, Erlenmeyer, Fry1989, Homo lupus, Illegitimate Barrister, Klemen Kocjancic, Madden, Mattes, Nagy, Neq00, Nightstallion, Pumbaa80, S KTT, SKopp, SiBr4,
Tomia, 12 anonymous edits
File:Piper PA-31-... Navajo ... AN1189363.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Piper_PA-31-..._Navajo_..._AN1189363.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: Fæ

License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/