PA-23 Aztec F vs PA-31 Navajo Chieftain
The PA-31 Navajo Chieftain leads, topping 5 of 7 compared metrics.
Put the Piper Aircraft PA-23 Aztec F (introduced 1976) beside the Piper Aircraft PA-31 Navajo Chieftain (introduced 1973) and the trade-offs sharpen fast. Both are piston twins, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is cabin capacity, where the PA-31 Navajo Chieftain carries more passengers. Below we compare them spec by spec, then break down which aircraft suits which mission.
6 more specs per aircraft — ceiling, climb, cabin, dimensions and more — are free with an account.
PA-23 Aztec F vs PA-31 Navajo Chieftain: the key differences
- The PA-31 Navajo Chieftain delivers 1% more range (PA-23 Aztec F: 1,000 nm; PA-31 Navajo Chieftain: 1,011 nm).
- The PA-31 Navajo Chieftain delivers 10% more cruise speed (PA-23 Aztec F: 175 kt; PA-31 Navajo Chieftain: 193 kt).
- The PA-31 Navajo Chieftain delivers 67% more passenger capacity (PA-23 Aztec F: 6 seats; PA-31 Navajo Chieftain: 10 seats).
- The PA-23 Aztec F is the newer design (introduced 1976 versus 1973 for the PA-31 Navajo Chieftain), a gap of 3 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The PA-31 Navajo Chieftain is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (7,000 lbs versus 5,200 lbs), which typically buys more cabin and payload at the cost of higher trip economics.
Which mission suits which aircraft
Both aircraft are built for regional and short-to-medium legs, so outright range rarely separates them — the call leans on cabin (the PA-31 Navajo Chieftain seats more), trip economics and what is actually available on the market. Match the airframe to how you fly most weeks, not to the headline range figure.
Which should you choose?
On published specifications the PA-31 Navajo Chieftain leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The PA-23 Aztec F can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
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PA-23 Aztec F vs PA-31 Navajo Chieftain: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the PA-23 Aztec F or the PA-31 Navajo Chieftain?
The PA-31 Navajo Chieftain has the longer published range — 1,011 nm versus 1,000 nm for the PA-23 Aztec F.
Does the PA-23 Aztec F or PA-31 Navajo Chieftain seat more passengers?
The PA-31 Navajo Chieftain carries more passengers at maximum configuration — up to 10 seats, compared with 6 on the PA-23 Aztec F.
Which is faster, the PA-23 Aztec F or the PA-31 Navajo Chieftain?
The PA-31 Navajo Chieftain cruises faster, at 193 kt versus 175 kt for the PA-23 Aztec F.
Which is newer, the PA-23 Aztec F or the PA-31 Navajo Chieftain?
The PA-23 Aztec F is the newer design, introduced in 1976 versus 1973 for the PA-31 Navajo Chieftain.
Is the PA-23 Aztec F or the PA-31 Navajo Chieftain the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the PA-31 Navajo Chieftain is the larger aircraft — 7,000 lbs versus 5,200 lbs for the PA-23 Aztec F.
Should I buy the PA-23 Aztec F or the PA-31 Navajo Chieftain?
On published specifications the PA-31 Navajo Chieftain leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The PA-23 Aztec F can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
Still weighing up the PA-23 Aztec F vs PA-31 Navajo Chieftain?
Specs only take you so far. Our advisors give an independent recommendation based on your mission, budget and how you actually fly — and represent your side through to purchase.