The PA-31-350 Chieftain is the largest and most successful variant of the Piper PA-31 Navajo family. Introduced as a 1973 model, the Chieftain features a fuselage stretched by two feet, an enlarged tailplane span, and a standard cargo door. Its power comes from counter-rotating 350-HP L/TSIO-540-J2BD engines. The PA-31 Navajo family, designed as a twin-engined utility aircraft for cargo, commuter, and corporate transport, was in production from 1967 to 1984.
PIPER Aircraft, the manufacturer, was founded in 1937 when William T. Piper established the Piper Aircraft Corporation, leading to the birth of the iconic Piper Cub. PIPER became a foundational name in general aviation, consistently developing successful models throughout the 20th century.
A variety of platforms and access solutions support detailed maintenance across the PA-31-350. These include the Reach Deck Platform, Modular Stepover Platforms, Super Trestle Scaffold, Ultraraise, Super Service Stand, Easyraise, Bridge Deck, Cantilever Platform, Aviation Chock and Cone Trolley, Super Maintenance Platform, Fibreglass Platform, A Frame Aviation Platform, and Platform Ladder Warthog. These tools ensure access for servicing all critical sections. Access is provided for the Nose Section (radome, avionics, cockpit), the Forward Fuselage (Main Entry Door, cargo, cabin access, ECS, forward wheel well), Landing Gear, Middle Fuselage (wing box, fuel tanks, oil maintenance, cabin interior), the Wing and Engine Pylons (including engine body, inlet/exhaust, fan, turbine, and hydraulics), the AFT Fuselage (bulkhead, cargo, avionics), and the Tail Section (stabilizers and rudder).
