Piper Cheyenne vs Piper Navajo

Piper built the Navajo and the Cheyenne simultaneously in the early 1970s, and the contrast between them is the clearest illustration of what a turboprop conversion actually changes. The Piper Navajo (PA-31, 1967–1984) is the piston twin — Lycoming IO-540 engines, room for six to eight occupants in various configurations, and the twin-engine reliability that pushed it into light charter, cargo, and multi-stop regional work. The Pressurized Navajo (PA-31P) added cabin pressurization and extended the Navajo's altitude reach without fundamentally changing its character: it remained a piston aircraft with piston maintenance overhead. The Piper Cheyenne II (PA-31T, 1974) changed the equation: the same basic PA-31 airframe fitted with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-28 turboprops — Jet-A fuel, turbine reliability, and a power management simplicity that the piston IO-540 simply cannot match. The cross-shop is the recurring question in the light twin market: is turboprop worth what it costs?

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Piper Cheyenne
For sale now
27
Median asking
$995,000
Range
$496,200–$1,505,955
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
14
Source marketplaces
9
Model years available
1978–1987
Piper Navajo
For sale now
40
Median asking
$262,250
Range
$123,300–$552,867
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
10
Source marketplaces
12
Model years available
1967–1984

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Safety Record

Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.

NTSB (1982–now)Piper CheyennePiper Navajo
All events—1
Serious—0
Fatal—0
Fatalities—0
% Fatal—0%
View full Piper Cheyenne NTSB record →View full Piper Navajo NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Piper Cheyenne Piper Navajo
Piper Cheyenne
View 25 listings →
Median $995,000
 Piper Navajo
View 40 listings →
Median $262,250
Price Range $496,200 – $1,505,955 $123,300 – $552,867
Category Multi Engine Turboprop Multi Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 8 8
Horsepower 620 HP —
Cruise Speed 240 kts (444 km/h) 206 kts (382 km/h)
Range 1,400 nm (2,593 km) 1,065 nm (1,972 km)
Service Ceiling 31,000 ft (9,449 m) 24,000 ft (7,315 m)
Max Gross Weight 9,050 lbs (4,105 kg) 6,500 lbs (2,948 kg)
Useful Load 2,900 lbs (1,315 kg) 2,800 lbs (1,270 kg)
Fuel Capacity 365.0 gal (1382 L) 182.0 gal (689 L)
Fuel Burn 55.0 GPH (208 L/h) 32.0 GPH (121 L/h)
TBO 3,500 hrs 1,800 hrs
Overhaul Cost $300,000 $42,000
Annual Fixed $100,000 $30,000
Hourly Variable $650 $350
Engines 2 x Turboprop 2 x Piston (Turbocharged)

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Piper Cheyenne

Fuel$302/hr
Variable$650/hr
Annual Fixed$100,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $230,000/yr

Piper Navajo

Fuel$176/hr
Variable$350/hr
Annual Fixed$30,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $100,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Piper Cheyenne or Piper Navajo?

Bottom line: Choose the Piper Navajo for the lowest acquisition cost and accessible ownership in the PA-31 family — a well-maintained Navajo Chieftain seats seven or eight people and covers typical 200–600 nm missions with piston economics and a maintenance base that any competent general aviation shop can support. The Lycoming IO-540 is a familiar engine; its maintenance community is deep and affordable. Choose the Piper Cheyenne II when turbine reliability and higher cruise speed define the mission — the PT6A-28's resistance to in-flight failures, simpler power management, and smooth turbine operation change the character of the aircraft in ways that speed alone doesn't capture. Safety axis: turbine engines experience significantly fewer in-flight power losses than piston engines at comparable utilization — a difference that matters most in IMC and over terrain where a forced landing isn't obvious. The Navajo is a genuine, proven twin with real engine-out performance; the Cheyenne II raises the baseline reliability of both powerplants. Either type's single-engine performance demands current multi-engine training and engine-out proficiency.

Pick the Cheyenne if…

  • Faster cruise — 240 kts vs 206 kts.
  • Longer range — 1400 nm vs 1065 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1974 vs 1967.

Pick the Navajo if…

  • Budget matters — from $123,300 vs $496,200, you save ~$372,900.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$350/hr vs $650/hr.
  • More inventory — 40 listings vs 25.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Cheyenne I, II, and III?
The Cheyenne family spans three distinct airframes. The Cheyenne I (PA-31T1) uses PT6A-11 engines in the PA-31 body — the lower-powered entry point. The Cheyenne II (PA-31T) uses PT6A-28 engines with more power and range. The Cheyenne III (PA-42) is a larger aircraft — a separate design with PT6A-41 or PT6A-61 engines, T-tail configuration, and six-to-eleven seat capacity — and should be evaluated as a different category from the PA-31-based Cheyennes. Buyers searching for "Cheyenne" will encounter all three; confirm the model designation before comparing prices or performance.
What Navajo variants are available in the used market?
The PA-31 family includes the base Navajo (IO-540 engines), the Navajo Chieftain (extended fuselage, 6–8 seats), and the Pressurized Navajo (PA-31P, cabin pressurization, TIGO-541 engines). The Navajo Chieftain is the most common variant in the used market; the Pressurized Navajo commands a premium for its cabin altitude capability. Various aftermarket turboprop conversions (the "Navajo Panther" and others) also exist. Buyers should evaluate each variant separately — they share the PA-31 lineage but have different performance, maintenance, and value profiles.
How does operating cost compare between the Navajo and Cheyenne II?
The Cheyenne II's Jet-A fuel and PT6A overhaul cost more in absolute terms than the Navajo's avgas and IO-540 overhaul. However, the PT6A-28's long TBO intervals and low unscheduled maintenance rate partially offset this — the Cheyenne's higher per-event costs are spread over more hours between events. At higher annual utilization (over 200 hours) the economics converge more than casual comparison suggests. The Cheyenne II's type rating requirement and higher acquisition cost are the clearer financial barriers than the difference in hourly operating expense.
Which is better, Piper Cheyenne or Piper Navajo?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Cheyenne cruises at 240 kts with 1,400 nm range. The Navajo cruises at 206 kts with 1,065 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Cheyenne: from $1,514,887. Piper Navajo: from $216,191. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Cheyenne and Piper Navajo?
Cruise: 240 vs 206 kts. Range: 1400 vs 1065 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Cheyenne: about $650/hr variable cost. Navajo: about $350/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Cheyenne: 8 seats / 2,900 lb useful load. Navajo: 8 seats / 2,800 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
Cheyenne: 3,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$300,000. Navajo: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$42,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data