Washington DC clients occasionally ask about piston aircraft for the shortest flights, such as a run across the Chesapeake to the Eastern Shore with a pilot and a passenger.
Piper introduced the Navajo PA-31 (Cheyenne / Chieftain) in 1973. It seats 8 to 9 with a published range of 883 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 211 knots. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 24,000 feet, 38 cubic feet of baggage volume and a lavatory.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Piston
- Manufacturer: Piper Aircraft
- Year introduced: 1973
- Seating: 8 to 9
- Crew: 1 to 2
- Range: 883 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 211 knots
- Service ceiling: 24,000 feet
- Length: 34.6 feet
- Wingspan: 40.7 feet
- Height: 13 feet
- Baggage volume: 38 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Belted
Why the Piper Navajo PA-31 (Cheyenne / Chieftain) Fits Washington DC
With 883 nautical miles of published range, it can fly between Washington Dulles and destinations such as New York, Nantucket and Orlando, allowing for reserves and routing. On a cold winter morning in Washington, DC the aircraft may need de-icing before it leaves, which adds time, and your advisor will warn you when the forecast points that way.
Smaller aircraft fly from Dulles and also from airports such as Washington Manassas, Leesburg Executive and Montgomery County Airpark, and the operator confirms which one suits the aircraft on your quote. The runway an aircraft needs is calculated by the operator for that day’s conditions, and we confirm it with the operator ahead of the trip.
How Washington DC Clients Use the Piper Navajo PA-31 (Cheyenne / Chieftain)
Expect a pilot, one or two passengers and a soft bag each. The cabin is small, and the aircraft is at its best on the shortest legs, such as a trip across the bay.
Give us the destination, the passenger count and a rough idea of the luggage, and your advisor will tell you whether this aircraft suits the trip or point you to one that does it better.
Gallery
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
- Estimated hourly rate: $1,200 to $1,800 (as of 10/2026)
Other Pistons Available
Contact
For a quote on a Piper Navajo PA-31 (Cheyenne / Chieftain) charter to or from Washington DC, call an advisor at 1-888-987-5387, or send the trip through our contact page. You can read how we review operators and crews on our safety page, and compare other categories in the aircraft gallery.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs. All images copyrighted and provided courtesy of Piper Aircraft, Inc. unless noted otherwise.