PA-31T Cheyenne

The Piper PA-31T Cheyenne is a twin‑engine pressurized business turboprop introduced in 1980 by Piper Aircraft. Developed from the earlier PA‑31 Navajo, the Cheyenne incorporated a strengthened fuselage, a pressurized cabin and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-28 turboprop engines, delivering 620 shp each. Its first flight occurred on 26 May 1980 and certification followed in 1981, marking Piper’s entry into the high‑performance corporate market. The aircraft’s cruising speed of around 300 knots, a service ceiling above 30,000 feet and a range of roughly 1,200 nautical miles made it competitive against early light jets, while offering the fuel efficiency and lower operating costs of turboprop powerplants. Key features include a fully retractable tricycle landing gear, a modern avionics suite (later upgraded to glass cockpit configurations), and a spacious cabin that could accommodate up to nine passengers or a dedicated executive layout. The Cheyenne’s success spurred the development of the larger PA‑42 Cheyenne III and IV, and it demonstrated the viability of pressurized turboprop aircraft for corporate and regional operators. Its legacy endures as a bridge between piston twins and jet transports, influencing subsequent designs in the business‑aviation sector.

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