Spec. on Piper Navajo

[henrikthg]

Hi I have a few Q's. on the Piper Navajo

1) Is there any time limit on the airframe.
2) Is there any thing I have to look extra good after when buying this aircraft?
3) Can any one give me some performance data's on the different Navajos (PA31-310, PA31-350, Panhter version) Have lots of different infon's but with like some from people actual working with the aircrafts.

Regards
Henrik

[Bumz_Rush]

The airframe life was 8500, in UK, but the FAA to the best of my knowledge had no limit, and I sold mine to Africa, with 8000hrs on the airframe.
After buying!!!!! , I would suggest the looking should be done before buying. There are good engineers who know PA31 backwards. I would recomend Avtec at Biggin. Peter has had more experience with PA 31 than most, he was responsable for all my work, and several other operations also.
Performance: the Panther is a good ship, but limited quantity, might not be welcome by CAA/JAA.
Chieftain a better load carrier, than the shorter Navajo...
The two bladed prop do not touch......
Do not even talk pressurisation....waste of time....IMHO
Go for a PA31-250. front crew door is good, and cargo door interesting extra. Longe range tanks interesting.
There is at least one with TKS anti-ice. That was a nice one to fly, and operate.

As to specific handling after puchase: I operated a self drive PA31-250 ex Biggin Hill and had no problems with a pencil mark on 31in MP, and another on ITT, can not remember the number, sorry.

I regret that my PA31 time was only 2000hrs, and almost as many years ago.happy hunting.....

[Capt EFIS]

I've operated the PA31-350 for a number of years now, and here are some details of it:

Weights
BEW: 2100 - 2200kg (Depends on whats fitted in it)
MTOW: 3175kg (or 3342kg with the VG kit fitted)
MLW: 3175kg (you can increase this with a Landing Gear mod to a max of 3342kg)

Fuel
Main tank holds 402lt usable
Aux tank holds 288lt usable
Nacelle tank holds 200lt usable (if fitted)
Fuel burn of 140lt per hour, taxi allowance of 20lt, and climb allowance of 3lt/1000ft works well and is very close to the mark.

Cruise speed of about 170-190kts. Normally 9 passenger seats.

I have flown the PA31-310's but it was many years ago. Cruise speed the same, fuel burn about 130lt per hour and holds 7 passengers. I can't recall the weights.

I hope this information has helped.

Capt EFIS.

[rick1128]

What model to get really depends on what you want to do with the aircraft. Personally, I like the 310 version, light, good power, light controls. The 350 has a bigger cabin but is also heavier. I was never really impressed by the 325. Its the same cabin as the 310, but the 310 performs better.

The Panther on the 350 is a waste. The one I flew, flew worst after the mod than before. The winglets really don't help as you don't get high enough for them to become very effective.

I would go with intercoolers and VG's. The current problem is that most airframes are becoming very high time. However, it is a tough airframe and will take it much better than the Cessna 400 series. If you don't believe that look at a 402 that has 4000 hours of commuter time and a similar PA31 with 6000 hours of commuter time. The Navajo looks in much better shape.

You will most likely find that the 310 and 325 are much lower times than the 350.

Good luck.

[mgbgtv8]

The PA31-350 has had its spar life extended to over 11,000 hours, but the 310/325 remains at 8,500 hours.

I have looked at many in the UK and the standard at the moment is not good.

The remaining engine life should affect the purchase price considerably, as the cost of replacement engines is between 25-50% of the value of the aircraft.

As a pilot the best feature is the crew door. The seat by the door is not nice, but weight limits mean it is rarely used.

I’ve flown 14 Navajos, from a 2 bladed 1968 to the last 1981 model 350 and have loved them all.

As a private buyer I would go for a 310, just because of the reduced capital , less eurocontrol and about 10% less to run. I even saw one for sale recently with a small EFIS type system.

[aircharterservice]

From a commercial perspective, depending on what you are going to do with it, in public transport, cover as many bases as possible, get one with a crew door so that you can bulk the back out with parcels and newspapers, get the long range (total 890 litres) tanks. I know Centreline at Bristol are trying to shift 3 PA31's (350's) as they move up to Caravans and Kingairs.