Ryan Navion

The Navion is a four-seat, low-wing, retractable-gear single designed at the end of WWII by North American Aviation as the NA-143 (produced as NA-145), leveraging the design DNA of the P-51 Mustang's basic planform and sliding bubble canopy. North American built the first 1,109 aircraft starting in 1946 with a 185HP (205HP takeoff) Continental E-185 before selling production rights to Ryan Aeronautical Company in 1947. Ryan built another 1,238 Navions (A and B models) at its San Diego plant through 1951, including 163 L-17A/B/C aircraft for the US Army and Air Force used as liaison, training, and observation aircraft during the Korean War.

After Ryan exited production, the type certificate and tooling changed hands repeatedly: TUSCO (Tulsa) built D, E, and F variants in the mid-1950s with tip tanks, flush rivets, and higher gross weights. The Navion Aircraft Corporation (later Navion Rangemaster Aircraft Corp) then revived the design in 1960 with the Rangemaster G, which replaced the iconic sliding canopy with a conventional cabin-top and car-style doors, adding a fifth seat and tip tanks. The Rangemaster H followed in 1967 with a 285HP Continental IO-520-B. Production finally ended in 1976 after roughly 100 Rangemasters were built. Total airframes across all variants: approximately 2,634.

Today the Navion is a cult classic — a docile, overbuilt, Mustang-pedigreed tourer that cruises in the 140-160 KTAS band depending on engine. The sliding canopy on early models is beloved for visibility and ramp presence. Ownership is supported by the American Navion Society and Sierra Hotel Aero of South St. Paul, MN, which has held the type certificate since March 2003 and supplies parts, STCs, and refurbishment services.

Note: the Camair 480 twin-engine Navion conversion exists as a separate certification and is not covered here.

The original 205HP E-185 Navion is a sluggish climber at gross weight and cruises only around 120-125 KTAS on roughly 11 GPH — the airframe is heavy for its wing area compared to contemporaries like the Beechcraft Bonanza 35 V-tail (Early). The 260HP IO-470 conversion (Navion B, D, E, F and Rangemaster G) transforms the airplane: 1,000+ FPM climb, 140-145 KTAS cruise on 13 GPH, and strong field performance. The 285HP IO-520 Rangemaster H is the fastest variant at roughly 150-160 KTAS true.

Real-world cruise on Continental-converted Navions typically settles around 140 KTAS at 65-70% power, 12-13 GPH — respectable for the airframe but clearly bested by a comparable Comanche 260 or Bellanca Super Viking on similar horsepower. Where the Navion wins is stability (solid IFR platform, heavy controls, great trim authority) and ride quality in turbulence thanks to high wing loading. Short-field numbers are surprisingly good for a 2,850 lb retractable: 600-700 ft ground roll is routine with the hydraulic flaps fully deployed.

With a typical 260HP IO-470 Navion (2,850 lb gross, ~950 lb useful load, 60 gal fuel capacity):

• Full fuel (360 lb) + 2 adults (340 lb): 250 lb remaining for bags — trivial, 4+ hour legs with IFR reserves, roughly 550 NM no-wind.
• Four adults (680 lb) + bags (100 lb): Fuel limited to ~30 gal (180 lb) — roughly 2 hours plus reserves, around 275 NM no-wind. The airplane is a solid 2+2 or heavy-2 tourer, not a four-seat travel machine at gross.
• Rangemaster H (3,315 lb, ~1,250 lb useful, 108 gal fuel): True four-seat + bags + full fuel machine, 1,000+ NM no-wind legs, 6-7 hours endurance. This is the variant for serious cross-country work and is the closest Navion gets to matching a V-tail Beechcraft Bonanza 35 V-tail (Early) in mission capability.

The Rangemaster H's increased cabin space, higher gross weight, and enormous fuel capacity make it materially different from the canopy Navions — it is a genuine long-range touring airplane where the earlier variants are heavy 2+2 weekend cruisers.

Related pages: Beechcraft Bonanza 35 V-tail (Early) | Comanche | Bellanca Super Viking | Aircraft Valuation Methodology | GA Insurance Underwriting | Maintenance Ecosystem | Avionics Pricing Reference

• Local fun flying (8): The sliding canopy, military heritage, ramp presence, and docile handling make early Navions outstanding weekend airplanes. Open-canopy taxi is a signature experience.
• Cross-country (7): Rangemaster H and IO-470/520 converted A-F variants cruise in the 140-160 KTAS band with 650-1000+ NM range (Rangemaster H with 108 gal fuel is a true 1000+ NM airplane). Heavy, stable, and comfortable.
• Business travel (5): Capable but slow compared to modern singles; parts delays and specialist mechanic needs hurt dispatch reliability.
• Cargo hauling (5): 950-1200 lb useful load depending on variant is solid, and the cabin is wide, but loading through car doors (Rangemaster) or over the wing (canopy variants) is awkward.
• Backcountry (4): Short-field numbers are decent, but low-wing retractable with tight prop clearance disqualifies serious off-airport use. Some owners do fly them off grass strips.
• Surveying (4): Good visibility from the canopy on early variants, but fuel burn and cost are high for a mission where slower aircraft win.
• Flight training (2): Retractable gear, vintage systems, complex endorsement requirements, and parts headaches rule it out as a primary trainer.
• Aerobatics (1): Not certified aerobatic.

Most Navions still flying have been panel-updated at least once. Common configurations:

• Budget ($35-50K airframes): Round-gauge panels with a KX-155 or similar IFR nav/com, legacy ADF and transponder, often no autopilot or a tired Mitchell/Brittain wing leveler. ADS-B Out via a tail-beacon retrofit. Compliance with 91.225 present but minimal.
• Mid-tier ($50-75K): Garmin GNS-430W or GTN-650, second com, GTX-335/345 transponder, a single G5 replacing vacuum AI or DG. Older STEC-30 or STEC-50 autopilot.
• Premium ($75-90K+): Dual G5s or GI-275s, GTN-750Xi, GFC-500 autopilot (where STC'd), engine monitor (EDM-730/830), and LED lighting. Sierra Hotel Aero has supported several modernization packages.

See Avionics Pricing Reference for install cost benchmarks.

• Continental IO-470-H conversion: Replaces the original E-185 or GO-435 with a 260HP IO-470, the most common and value-adding upgrade. Adds ~15-20 KTAS and ~400 FPM climb. Supported by Sierra Hotel Aero.
• Continental IO-520-B conversion: 285HP upgrade mirroring the Rangemaster H, fitted to some earlier Navions. Adds ~25 KTAS and strong climb.
• Tip tanks: Standard on D/E/F/G/H, retrofittable to A/B. Adds 20-40 gallons and allows the 2,850-3,000+ lb gross weight increase STC.
• Gross weight increase: STC raising MTOW to 2,850 or 3,000 lb on earlier airframes.
• One-piece windshield: Replaces multi-panel original on canopy variants.
• Sierra Hotel Aero PM exhaust system: Approved for A, B, D, E, F, G, H, and L-17 with O-470, IO-470, IO-520, and IO-550 engines.
• Three-blade prop STC: Smoother operation and slightly better climb.

See Maintenance Ecosystem for context.

• Parts availability: Fair. Sierra Hotel Aero (type certificate holder) stocks or can fabricate most airframe parts. The American Navion Society is an active owner community with parts leads and technical support. Some unique items (canopy tracks, hydraulic actuators, old instruments) can take weeks.
• Mechanic familiarity: Specialist. Most general A&Ps have never seen a Navion. Hydraulic gear and flap systems, unusual fuel system, and Mustang-style construction require a mechanic who has read the manual or has Navion experience. Sierra Hotel Aero and a handful of Navion-specialist shops around the US (notably in the upper Midwest and Texas) handle most major work.
• Annual inspection: Routine annuals run $2,500-$4,000; first annual after buying a neglected example can easily be $10-20K as deferred items surface.
• Expensive items:
  • IO-470 overhaul: $38-45K
  • IO-520 overhaul: $45-55K
  • Hydraulic actuator overhaul: $2-4K each
  • Prop overhaul (McCauley or Hartzell three-blade): $4-6K
  • Canopy refurbishment: $3-8K
  • Full corrosion repair: $10-30K+
• Annual operating cost (100 hours/year): Roughly $13-16K including fuel, insurance, annual, reserves, and hangar, excluding engine reserve. Add another $4-5K for engine reserve on an IO-470.

See Aircraft Valuation Methodology for the framework. Navion-specific factors:

• Engine: IO-470 or IO-520 conversions add $15-25K over an original E-185 or geared GO-435 Lycoming (the GO-435 is universally disliked for maintenance cost and parts scarcity). Mid-time IO-470 vs run-out is a $20K+ swing.
• Tip tanks and gross weight STC: $5-10K premium.
• Modern avionics: $10-25K premium for GTN + G5/GI-275 + GFC-500.
• Airframe condition: Corrosion-free, hangared examples with documented maintenance command a strong premium. Neglected ramp queens can be nearly unsellable.
• Rangemaster H: Generally commands a premium over canopy variants due to higher performance, newer airframe, and greater fuel capacity; typical retail historically around $60-75K, with exceptional restored examples (like a 2025 Oshkosh-award-winning 1962 G) commanding $650K+ as outliers.

Typical market bands (2026):

• Project / high-time / original engine: $35-45K
• Average flyer with IO-470 and 1990s-era avionics: $50-65K
• Nice IO-470/520 with modern panel: $70-90K
• Restored show-quality: $100K+ (rare)

• AD 2008-05-08 (Sierra Hotel Aero): One-time inspection of the entire fuel system and repetitive functional tests of fuel selector valves. Issued after accidents tied to leaking or improperly operating fuel selector valves. Compliance is a pre-buy must-verify item.
• Fuel system cross-feed hoses: Rubber hoses between the main tanks and header tank are buried, hard to inspect, and commonly overlooked. Replace on pre-buy.
• Corrosion: Common on 70+ year old airframes, particularly around the wing carry-through spar and the tail cone. Regularly correctable but expensive.
• Hydraulic system: Navions use hydraulics for gear, flaps, and brakes. Expect leaks, worn seals, and aging lines on neglected airplanes.
• Landing gear actuator and down-lock: Gear rigging is a specialist job; incorrect rigging leads to gear-up or partial-extension incidents.
• Electrical and mechanical fatigue: Many components are simply worn out or neglected over the decades — the airframe's biggest challenge is not any single AD but cumulative wear.
• Wood components: Navions are metal aircraft and do NOT have wood wings (unlike the Bellanca Viking); the wood-rot concern does not apply here.
• Canopy track wear: Sliding canopy rollers and tracks wear; replacements available from Sierra Hotel Aero.

See GA Insurance Underwriting for category definitions. The Navion falls into the vintage retractable category:

• Hull premiums: Roughly 2.5-4% of hull value for experienced pilots; a $60K hull typically insures for $1,800-$2,500/year for a qualified pilot with retractable and complex time.
• New-to-type or low-time: First-year premiums can run 5-7% of insured value — a significant penalty for pilots without retract/complex hours.
• Training requirement: Insurers typically require 5-10 hours dual with a Navion-experienced CFI before solo.
• Complex endorsement: Required (retractable gear, controllable prop, flaps).
• Benign underwriting record: The Navion has a comparatively clean claims history for a 1940s retractable — heavy, stable, forgiving handling works in its favor. Gear-up incidents are the dominant claim type.