PlaneFox tracks 1 Sukhoi Su-31 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
A Sukhoi Su-31 flies about 594 nm, roughly 1,100 km, which is about 3 h 20 min in still air at typical cruise.
A Sukhoi Su-31 costs about EUR 2,500 a month to run, or about EUR 265 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
The Sukhoi Su-31 is a single-seat competition aerobatic aircraft developed by Sukhoi in Russia as a lighter, more advanced follow-on to the Su-26 and related Su-29 family. The type first flew in 1992 and entered limited production during the 1990s, aimed at unlimited category aerobatics rather than cross-country travel or training. It matters because it represents one of the most focused piston aerobatic designs of its era, with extensive composite construction, very high roll performance and a structure designed for repeated high-load maneuvering.
Power typically comes from a Vedeneyev M-14PF nine-cylinder radial engine rated at about 400 hp, driving a constant-speed propeller. Published figures vary by variant and equipment, but typical maximum cruise figures are around 175 to 180 knots, with range commonly cited at roughly 250 nautical miles. Service ceiling is about 13,000 feet. Useful load depends strongly on empty weight, fuel configuration and installed equipment, so buyers should verify the specific aircraft weight and balance rather than relying on generic figures. The Su-31 is valued more for vertical performance, snap response and energy management than for payload or endurance.
The Su-31 has a single-seat cockpit with a compact, purpose-built aerobatic layout. Visibility is good for attitude reference, and the seating position is arranged for high-G maneuvering with a parachute-compatible harness. There is no passenger cabin and limited baggage capacity. Avionics are usually simple VFR installations: radio, transponder, basic navigation or portable GPS, engine instruments and aerobatic-specific instrumentation. Integrated suites such as Garmin Perspective or G1000 are not typical for this aircraft. Some examples have been updated with lightweight comm, ADS-B equipment, digital engine monitoring or small EFIS displays.
Used Su-31 buyers should focus on airframe history, aerobatic usage, composite condition, control rigging, landing gear condition, engine logs and propeller status. Careful inspection by technicians familiar with Sukhoi aerobatic aircraft is important, especially for aircraft with competition history or incomplete import documentation. Variants include the baseline Su-31 and improved Su-31M, with differences in equipment, weight and systems. Common upgrades include modern propellers, smoke systems, lighter avionics and updated engine monitoring. In the used market, the Su-31 is a specialized aircraft positioned for experienced aerobatic pilots, generally less practical than an Extra for broader sport flying, but highly relevant for serious unlimited aerobatic use.