Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo

The Piper PA‑31P Pressurized Navajo, built under license by the Argentine company Chincul in the late 1970s, represents a notable chapter in regional aviation history. Chincul, a joint venture between Piper Aircraft and the Argentine state‑owned Industrias Aeronáuticas, began assembling the pressurized version of the twin‑engine Navajo in 1978 to meet growing demand for reliable, high‑altitude commuter transport in South America. The PA‑31P featured a larger, circular pressurized cabin, a maximum cruise speed of 260 knots, and a service ceiling of 30,000 feet, allowing operations over mountainous terrain with reduced fatigue for passengers. Powered by two Lycoming TIO‑540‑J2A engines delivering 340 hp each, the aircraft offered a range of 1,200 nautical miles and could accommodate up to nine passengers or mixed cargo‑passenger loads. Its robust airframe, simplified systems, and relatively low operating costs made it popular with regional airlines, charter operators, and government agencies. The Chincul‑built Navajo helped expand air connectivity across remote Argentine provinces, influencing subsequent designs such as the PA‑34 Seneca and fostering local aerospace expertise. Today, surviving examples remain in service as executive transports and training platforms, underscoring the model’s lasting impact on utility aviation.