Piper Chieftain Aircraft in Australia

Australian-registered aircraft (VH- prefix) operate under CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) certification. Active GA market with strong Daher TBM, Cirrus, Cessna and Beechcraft fleets. Outback flying creates active utility aircraft market (Cessna Caravan, Pilatus PC-12). Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth major hubs.

The Piper Chieftain (PA-31-350) is the stretched Navajo — a 10-seat commuter and cargo workhorse with twin 350 hp Lycoming TIO-540-J2 engines. Used heavily by regional airlines, freight operators and corporate shuttles, the Chieftain is the largest piston twin Piper built. Production ran 1972-1983 plus later T-1040 conversions.

Piper Chieftain aircraft for sale

8 used Piper Chieftain aircraft for sale in Australia · 10-seat · Used median asking $245,000 · Project from $188,199 · updated yesterday

Piper Chieftain Specifications

Model spec

The Piper Chieftain is a 10-seat multi engine piston with a cruise speed of 205 kt (380 km/h), a range of 950 nm (1,759 km), and a useful load of 2,350 lbs (1,066 kg).

Performance
Cruise205 kt (380 km/h)
Max Speed231 kt (428 km/h)
Range950 nm (1,759 km)
Service Ceiling24,000 ft (7,315 m)
Engine & Fuel
Horsepower350 HP
Fuel Burn38.0 GPH (144 L/h)
Weights & Seats
Seats10
Max Gross Weight7,000 lbs (3,175 kg)
Useful Load2,350 lbs (1,066 kg)

Piper Chieftain for Sale

Piper Chieftain asking prices range from $90,000 to $679,000, with a median of $245,000 (market reference $250,000).

1975 Piper Chieftain

1975 Piper Chieftain for sale
$111,196
For Sale
Total Time 24,800
Reg# VH-WAD Australia
Location Northern Territory, Australia
Listed 15d ago

1973 Piper Chieftain

1973 Piper Chieftain for sale below typical asking range
$191,118
For Sale
Total Time 11,409
Reg# VH-LHE Australia
Location Australia
Listed 15d ago

1973 Piper Chieftain

1973 Piper Chieftain for sale within typical asking range
$280,328 ↓ -$4K
For Sale
Total Time 21,750
Reg# VH-LCE Australia
Location Moorabbin Airport, Victoria, Australia
Via Southern Airlines
Multiple sources

1974 Piper Chieftain

1974 Piper Chieftain for sale above typical asking range
$416,985
For Sale
Total Time 14,510
Reg# VH-LTU Australia
Location New South Wales, Australia
Listed 15d ago

1974 Piper Chieftain

1974 Piper Chieftain for sale above typical asking range
$486,482
For Sale
Total Time 15,200
Reg# VH-MKC Australia
Location New South Wales, Australia
Listed 15d ago

1984 Piper Chieftain

1984 Piper Chieftain for sale
Contact for Price
On Request
Total Time 16,617
Reg# VH-NPA Australia
Location Tooradin, Victoria, Australia
Via Amber Aero Engineering Pty Ltd
Multiple sources

1979 Piper Chieftain

1979 Piper Chieftain for sale
Contact for Price
On Request
Total Time 8,920
Location Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Via Douglas Aircraft Sales Pty Ltd.
Multiple sources

1981 Piper Chieftain

1981 Piper Chieftain for sale
Contact for Price
On Request
Total Time 14,745
Reg# VH-NMK Australia
Location Tooradin, Victoria, Australia
Via Amber Aero Engineering Pty Ltd
Multiple sources

Compare Piper Chieftain

See how the Piper Chieftain stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.

Piper Chieftain vs Cessna 402 Piper Chieftain vs Piper Navajo

Piper Chieftain Price & Cost

How much does a Piper Chieftain cost? Used Chieftain prices: $90K – $679K, average $245K (median $245K); market reference $250K, across 21 priced of 8 active listings.

Piper Chieftain Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Piper Chieftain Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (38.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$23,560/yr
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.
Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Piper Chieftain

Buying a Piper Chieftain comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

Both engines' time and turbos; cycles (cargo/commuter aircraft accumulate fast); pressurisation NA (most Chieftains unpressurised); avionics; mandate compliance. vs Navajo: Chieftain = stretched fuselage, more seats, more power; Navajo = shorter, smaller cabin.

Frequently Asked Questions — Piper Chieftain

How much does a used Piper Chieftain cost?
Values reflect engine and airframe time, role history and equipment. See the live price range and median above for current Chieftain listings.
How many seats does a Chieftain have?
Up to ten, including crew, in a stretched cabin-class fuselage — which is why it became a commuter-airline and air-cargo favourite.
How is the Chieftain different from the Navajo?
The Chieftain is a stretched PA-31-350 with a longer fuselage, more power and higher gross weight than the standard Navajo, trading some speed for capacity.
Does the Chieftain have counter-rotating engines?
Yes — its turbocharged engines turn in opposite directions, removing the critical engine and improving engine-out handling for a heavily loaded commuter twin.

Piper Chieftain Inventory by Country

United States17
Australia8
Canada3
Hungary1
Jamaica1
United Kingdom1

Piper Chieftain Inventory by State

Kentucky3

Piper Chieftain by Price

Under $100k1
Under $200k5
Under $300k9
Under $500k10

Piper Chieftain by Decade

1970s6
1980s2

Recently Sold Piper Chieftain

1973 Chieftain$276,211

Piper Chieftain Safety Record

No NTSB events on record for the Piper Chieftain. Individual aircraft safety records may be available on detail pages.

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed yesterday · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data