Piper Navajo vs Beechcraft King Air 90
The Piper Navajo (PA-31, six-to-nine-seat piston twin, ~220 kt) and King Air 90 (six-to-eight- seat turboprop twin, ~250 kt) are different propulsion classes — piston vs turboprop.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Piper Navajo | Beechcraft King Air 90 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $75,699 – $654,617 | $229,000 – $3,699,000 |
| Category | Multi Engine Piston | Multi Engine Turboprop |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 8 | 10 |
| Cruise Speed | 206 kts (382 km/h) | 215 kts (398 km/h) |
| Range | 1,065 nm (1,972 km) | 1,060 nm (1,963 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 24,000 ft (7,315 m) | — |
| Max Gross Weight | 6,500 lbs (2,948 kg) | — |
| Useful Load | 2,800 lbs (1,270 kg) | 2,700 lbs (1,225 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 182.0 gal (689 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 32.0 GPH (121 L/h) | — |
| TBO | 1,800 hrs | — |
| Overhaul Cost | $42,000 | — |
| Annual Fixed | $30,000 | — |
| Hourly Variable | $350 | — |
| Engines | 2 x Piston | 2 x Turboprop |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Navajo
Fuel$176/hr
Variable$350/hr
Annual Fixed$30,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$100,000/yr
Beechcraft King Air 90
Which Should You Buy: Piper Navajo or Beechcraft King Air 90?
Bottom line: Choose the Navajo for the lowest acquisition cost cabin-class twin — piston twin operating cost. Step up to the King Air 90 for turboprop reliability, higher cruise, pressurisation and the much stronger support network.
Pick the Navajo if…
- Budget matters — from $75,699 vs $229,000, you save ~$153,301.
- Longer range — 1065 nm vs 1060 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1967 vs 1966.
Pick the King Air 90 if…
- More seats — 10 vs 8.
- Faster cruise — 215 kts vs 206 kts.
- More inventory — 124 listings vs 40.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Piper Navajo or Beechcraft King Air 90?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Navajo cruises at 206 kts with 1,065 nm range.
The King Air 90 cruises at 215 kts with 1,060 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Navajo: from $550,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Navajo and Beechcraft King Air 90?
King Air 90 engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-6.
Seats: 8 vs 10.
Cruise: 206 vs 215 kts.
Range: 1065 vs 1060 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
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?
Navajo: 8 seats / 2,800 lb useful load.
King Air 90: 10 seats / 2,700 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?
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