Navion
11 models built 1946–1976 · 457 on the US register today
The Navion, designed by North American Aviation and built by it in 1946-47 (including the Army L-17A), by Ryan Aeronautical 1948-51 (Navion A with 205 hp, Navion B with 260 hp, L-17B/C), and developed by TUSCO/Navion Aircraft (the D, E and F conversions with Continental IO-470s and tip tanks) into the Rangemaster G and H with an enclosed cabin and 1,200-mile range (1961-76). A four-seat retractable with a sliding canopy, a strong structure and a devoted following; type certificate A-782, now held by Sierra Hotel Aero. The registry records the same aeroplanes under North American, Ryan and Navion names.
The variants
| MODEL | YEARS | ACTIVE | TAILFAX SCORE | WHAT CHANGED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navion | 1946–1948 | 202 | 20.8/50 | The original North American Navion |
| Navion L-17A | 1946–1948 | 1 | — | Army L-17A liaison version |
| Navion L-17C | 1949–1951 | 0 | — | Army L-17C (upgraded L-17A) |
| Navion A | 1949–1951 | 116 | 26.9/50 | Ryan: 205 hp E-185-9, higher gross weight |
| Navion L-17B | 1949–1951 | 3 | 26.9/50 | Army L-17B (Ryan) |
| Navion NAV 4 | 1949–1951 | 1 | 26.9/50 | Registry spelling of the Navion A |
| Navion B | 1950–1951 | 68 | Partial 14.2/30 | Ryan: 260 hp Lycoming (Super Navion 260) |
| Navion F | 1959–1965 | 2 | — | TUSCO conversion: IO-470, tip tanks |
| Navion D | 1959–1965 | 2 | — | TUSCO conversion: IO-470, tip tanks |
| Navion E | 1959–1965 | 1 | — | TUSCO conversion: IO-470, tip tanks |
| Navion G | 1961–1976 | 61 | Partial 7.7/30 | Rangemaster: enclosed cabin, 108 gallons |
Family fleet, active
457
FAA registry
NTSB events / 1,000, 10 yrs
48.1
22 events over 457 active aircraft, pooled across the family
Data as of: FAA registry Sep 28 · NTSB Oct 2 · scores Sep 30