Piper Chieftain vs Piper Navajo

The Piper PA-31 Navajo and PA-31-350 Chieftain occupy the same fuselage but pull in different directions with it. The Navajo (from 1967) started as a six-seat piston twin with 310–350 hp engines, evolving through several variants to serve charter, air taxi, and corporate transport. The Chieftain (1973) took the same PA-31 airframe, extended the fuselage 24 inches, added up to ten seats, and became a workhorse of Part 135 commuter operations throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The cross-shop is contextual: buyers who need the PA-31's bones are choosing between the Navajo's versatility and the Chieftain's raw capacity.

Live Market Snapshot

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

Piper Chieftain
For sale now
29
Median asking
$234,826
Range
$119,925–$584,423
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
11
Source marketplaces
6
Model years available
1973–1984
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 ChieftainPiper Navajo
All events—1
Serious—0
Fatal—0
Fatalities—0
% Fatal—0%
View full Piper Chieftain NTSB record →View full Piper Navajo NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Piper Chieftain Piper Navajo
Piper Chieftain
View 35 listings →
Median $234,826
 Piper Navajo
View 40 listings →
Median $262,250
Price Range $119,925 – $584,423 $123,300 – $552,867
Category Multi Engine Piston Multi Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 10 8
Horsepower 350 HP —
Cruise Speed 205 kts (380 km/h) 206 kts (382 km/h)
Range 950 nm (1,759 km) 1,065 nm (1,972 km)
Service Ceiling 24,000 ft (7,315 m) 24,000 ft (7,315 m)
Max Gross Weight 7,000 lbs (3,175 kg) 6,500 lbs (2,948 kg)
Useful Load 2,350 lbs (1,066 kg) 2,800 lbs (1,270 kg)
Fuel Capacity — 182.0 gal (689 L)
Fuel Burn 38.0 GPH (144 L/h) 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 (Turbocharged) 2 x Piston (Turbocharged)

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Piper Chieftain

Fuel$209/hr

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 Chieftain or Piper Navajo?

Bottom line: Choose the Navajo for smaller group transport, corporate use where a six-to-seven seat interior is appropriate, and the slightly simpler airframe that comes from a shorter fuselage. Several Navajo variants (the Navajo C/R with counter-rotating engines, the Pressurized Navajo) offer specific mission enhancements. Choose the Chieftain for capacity — the Chieftain's stretched fuselage and up to ten seats make it the default choice for charter, air taxi, and commercial operations under Part 135 that need to move larger groups economically. The Chieftain was so dominant in regional air taxi that it defined the economics of short-haul charter for a generation. Safety axis: both aircraft use Lycoming TIO-540-series engines running counter-rotating in the standard configuration, which eliminates the "critical engine" problem that makes single-engine emergencies particularly dangerous in conventionally-configured twins. Know your specific aircraft's engine configuration before training for single-engine emergencies.

Pick the Chieftain if…

  • Budget matters — from $119,925 vs $123,300, you save ~$3,375.
  • More seats — 10 vs 8.

Pick the Navajo if…

  • Faster cruise — 206 kts vs 205 kts.
  • Longer range — 1065 nm vs 950 nm.
  • More inventory — 40 listings vs 35.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Piper Navajo and Chieftain still common in commercial operations?
Yes, more than their age might suggest. The Chieftain particularly remains in active Part 135 service in markets where its ten-seat economics and backcountry capability (when appropriately modified) still make financial sense — Pacific Island operations, Alaska, and remote Canadian routes still fly Chieftains regularly. Navajo Cs with counter-rotating engines are valued in training programs for their handling qualities. Maintenance expertise and parts support are active for both types.
What does "counter-rotating" mean on the Navajo C/R?
Counter-rotating (C/R) means both engines rotate in opposite directions — the left engine clockwise and right engine counter-clockwise (or vice versa). This eliminates the "critical engine" scenario where, in a conventional twin, the failure of the left (typically "critical") engine creates significantly greater directional control challenge than the right. In a counter-rotating twin, engine failure loads are symmetric and the aircraft is more controllable in single-engine scenarios. The Navajo C/R (Chieftain) uses this configuration; the standard Navajo does not.
What is the useful load of the Chieftain versus the Navajo?
The Chieftain's greater gross weight (7,000 lb vs the Navajo's 6,500 lb) provides roughly 3,000–3,200 lb useful load in typical configurations — enough to carry ten occupants and light baggage. The Navajo in six-to-seven-seat configuration carries approximately 2,500–2,700 lb. For charter economics where per-seat revenue matters, the Chieftain's additional seats are the direct revenue argument for the platform.
Which is better, Piper Chieftain or Piper Navajo?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Chieftain cruises at 205 kts with 950 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 Chieftain: from $410,000. 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 Chieftain and Piper Navajo?
Seats: 10 vs 8. Cruise: 205 vs 206 kts. Range: 950 vs 1065 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?
Chieftain: 10 seats / 2,350 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?
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