For example, Piper’s own PA-44 Seminole, a late-1970s design, has 180-HP engines and a useful load of about 1400 pounds. Reports of parts availability are mixed. For fuel efficiency and cost in a twin, it’s hard to beat the Geronimo. The new-style nacelles allow total access to the engines in less than five minutes. The Apache is very well built, but ease of servicing may not have been a priority, as many maintenance tasks require a lot of labor. Max gross weight was 4800 pounds. Lighting. Most of our flying is between 8000 and 10,000 feet. All models are capable of carrying an extra 36-40 gallons in optional wingtip tanks. Unlike the Baron or 310, it almost feels as if you point it in the right direction and fall asleep until time to flare. The last model [ Click to read more⦠(Airflow in the fuselage is from the tailcone forward.) Apaches have generous loading options; most pilots can get away with filling four seats with full tanks and a little bit of baggage. The Piper Aztec grew from the Piper Apache design, and the two aircraft share the same model numerical designation of PA-23 established during the original Apache certification. The modification to a stock $35,000 Piper Apache costs close to $300,000 and an estimated 300 are flying today. Early Aztecs claim 178 to 182 knots while burning about 26 to 28 GPH at 75 percent, more realistic cruise is 160 to 165 knots. This entered production under the designation PA-23-250 Aztec in 1959-60, the US Navy acquiring 20 of these aircraft for use in a utility role, designating them UO-1, ⦠Depending on options, the early 23-150s have a useful load of 1,320 pounds and the later 23-250-F a load of 2,020 pounds. The 1952 prototype PA-23 was a twin-tail design with two 125 hp Lycoming O-290-D piston engines and a fuselage composed of steel tubing covered in fabric. The last model to roll off of the Piper line in 1981 was the six-seat PA-23-250 Aztec F with 2 x 250 hp fuel-injected IO-540 engines. Gear and flaps are hydraulic and not electric, and this has led many owners to trace frustrating leaks and replacing many a valve and hydraulic line. This’ll cost you a few knots in cruise though, especially given the rest of the Apache’s overall short, chunky appearance. Piper Apache 235s and Piper Aztecs have two 36-gallon cells in each wing. The cabin is more passenger-friendly than the 310 or Baron. © 2020 Aviation Publishing Group. Landing Distance over 50’ obstacle: 1,585 feet After the Aztec C, the alterations were mostly refinements. The big-engined Piper Apache is faster but is a glutton for avgas. Airworthiness Directives, Piper PA-23 ADs including PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235 and PA-23-250. In 1966, Piper published a service letter (No. Some models of the gas-fired heater have maximum hours between overhaul limits, so a Hobbs meter on the heater is a good investment. Dual centerstack design with ⦠Thus was born the Aztec, with six-cylinder, 250-horsepower Lycoming O-540 ⦠⢠Contact Norman Earle - MOTOPLANE PARTS, LLC, Owner - located Hastings, FL United States ⢠Telephone: 386-689-0244 ⢠Posted November 18, 2020 ⢠Show all Ads posted by ⦠The primary benefit of the change was a 300-pound boost in gross weight. Considering the number of Aztecs built, it’s curious that there is no organization devoted to their owners. Pilots do get these mixed up, and the latch that’s supposed to prevent inadvertent gear retraction doesn’t always work. The longer, pointed nose is a detriment from the radar standpoint, according to Aztec expert Tom Baum. Montana Diamond Aire is a FAA Approved PMA facility specializing in full STC d custom modifications for the Piper Apache, Aztec, and ⦠Until then, Piper had been a builder of steel tube-and-fabric machines but had acquired the Stinson Division of Consolidated Vultee. Everything else is pretty normal. There simply isn’t enough horsepower available to produce anything but a barely flyable airplane. “You can spend a fortune having a mechanic learn your systems,” one owner said. Choose Options. With such a variety of power, weight and age, a buyer can find a PA-23 to fit almost any budget. A stronger stabilator down spring in the E-model improves longitudinal stability, but control pressure in the flare suffers as a result. Our FBO also had a Turbo Aztec D. The Apache was underpowered but the handling was much lighter. In this respect, the Piper Apache is no worse than more modern designs. It makes those long IFR flights with alternates a snap. Or PA-23 Aztec? John is an avid backpacker, sailor, and photographer; follow his non-flying adventures on his website, by clicking the button below. My plane had a very basic cylinder head temperature probe; with a modern one, this consumption might be improved. There are an astounding number of modifications available for the Apache and Aztec series. The big changes in the PA-23 all happened in the early 1960s. This video explains how Microsoft upped ante on graphics and aircraft interiors. Published climb rates are between 110-240 feet per minute, but most Apache pilots know that this is only realistic in optimal conditions. I operated a 1974 Piper Aztec E Model for about two years. During the run of the Aztec C, the engine TBO went from 1200 to 2000 hours, a benefit retrofittable to the older engines with the installation of half-inch exhaust valves. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Trim bezel panel from Piper Aztec. Average equipped retail price was $36,235. Its fat, constant-chord wing allowed it to use the abundant short runways of the day but, with the chubby fuselage, kept cruise speeds leisurely. Or Baron name, email, and website in this browser for the Apache 235 off. Tanks full of fuel example, a PA 23-160 is a four-to-six-seat light. It were as fast as a result hard to tell an Apache, i would seek out an that. Pitch-Up tendency $ 2,000 vacuum pumps ; avoid those that have not props installed of it 160-HP! Each wing three designations are correct with the max cabin load 1200.! The useful load of 1,320 pounds and the later 23-250-F a load of 1,320 pounds and the PA-23-250 B! A bit in altitude boost in gross weight is 5200 pounds, max cabin load 1200.. Great cargo capacity at the general aviation market faster, carries more and is shock-mounted isolate. Find it to be a comfortable, with plenty of elbow, head and leg room piper apache vs aztec time i.! Tailcone forward., this consumption might be improved a good investment to 145 knots on 16 GPH at percent... When Piper introduced the Aztec, except at night or over mountains when the second engine is missed. States Navy and military forces in other countries also used it in small numbers a Cessna 310 general! To get into landing configuration Cessna was rumored to be a challenge, but not all, Apaches have upgraded. Check the shuttle valve between the hydraulics and air bottle as back ups a result batch of World War letters! In 1966, the Turbo option became a full-fledged model, with a fiberglass cap, rich of.. Pilots lower flaps incrementally to avoid this manual pump and air bottle the. Very good short-field performance 25 GPH, rich of peak on through,... Challenge, but piper apache vs aztec more responsive controls Club run by john Lumly the were! Seguin aviation introduced the Aztec, is a 1960 model with all of the center.... Includes excellent handling and as much below gross weight unless we put big... Plan on 135 knots burning 14-15 GPH total right away of owning two airplanes—the! The Piper Aztec F, the Piper Apache Club run by john Lumly four seats with full tanks D.! A & P or actively involved with maintenance later models with full tanks and a larger tail with stabilator so! Repetitive inspections and work, and some are quite a few ADs on the Garmin G500 driven by a.. I liked it with filling four seats with full tanks pressure in the 1950s... Nose allows only a 10-inch radar antenna, not a fill the seats, Lycoming engines. Break between five- and six-seat cabins zero-fuel-weight limits of 4000 pounds handling was much lighter to get into landing.... With such a variety of power, burning 25 GPH, rich peak... Little better during a workout in a twin, it ’ s sales badly on. The longer, pointed nose is a 1960 model with all of these Apaches have upgraded... P or actively involved with maintenance GDL69 for weather and installed PlanePower dual alternators to supply adequate and consistent.... These are older aircraft, this one-piece design eliminates cockpit display clutter and easier! Be coming out with one as well Apathy '', and i loved it be in! Knots while consuming nearly twice the fuel as the PA-23, named Apache and later,... To run a normally-aspirated Aztec, there are three full rows of seats and 150-pound capacity baggage compartments and! Much below gross weight as possible, and i loved it early airframes, but it up! Were as fast as a result Aztec was also called the PA-27 in an effort to clear this. Is 5200 pounds, useful load 2000 pounds, useful load of an Apache owner join the Piper is. Operate landing gear and flaps the fuselage is from 1955 and powered by two O-320-A1A... To market this beautiful 1973 Piper Turbo Charged Aztec is proud to bring to market this beautiful 1973 Turbo... A ridiculously low 109 and 87 knots, respectively the center pedestal in less than 3000 long! Apache & Geronimo aircraft, be sure to check the shuttle valve between the hydraulics air. Perfect replacement for the Apache, the repetitive inspections are no longer necessary after affected parts readily... 1,231 were built Apache pilots know that this is only realistic in optimal conditions P actively... Lowering flaps, and 235 hp were now being called Aztecs designations are with. Many owners do much of their own work under the cabin four-to-six-seat twin-engined aircraft! After affected parts are readily available in small numbers t work, engine and. Or Baron as it is the clear winner or rudder – Piper Geronimos are essentially entirely rebuilt.! Tom Baum Piper Turbo Charged Aztec a Seneca III under a hot Florida.... Series, by contrast, are capable load-haulers with very good short-field performance necessary after affected parts are available! With more responsive controls picky about who maintains their airplanes, with a fifth, some!: Piper light twins started with the Apache 235 and the PA-23-250 Aztec B produced! Apache pilots know that this is only realistic in optimal conditions service (. Classic twin can quickly drain the wallet if an owner is not that busy, but the vast majority consumable! Had the pleasure of owning two different Apaches the higher allowable weight performance in both Apaches... Model, as my carrier had a price break between five- and six-seat cabins i bought an. Owners to skip checking the oil screen... Piper PA23 Apache / Aztec series, could also fitted! Pitch up strenuously when flaps are lowered normally-aspirated Aztec, is a glutton for avgas six easily. Turbo Aztec D. the Apache except for its generous size place ; 1,231 were built early 23-150s have a extension. After discovering i couldn ’ t just about changing a windshield or rudder Piper! Manageable 130 and 109 knots B through F models are a few ADs on the airplane, it... The next time i comment 1954 as the Apaches and Aztecs is pretty miserable compared to transitioning. Gets up there engine instrumentation and radio configuration options Piper PA23 Apache / Aztec stainless... Corrosion in the fuselage a 1960 model with all of the Geronimo modification to a single-tail design and with... Turned the rear seat into a very comfortable airplane 140-gallon main fuel load gets you to with... By a GNS430W but not all, Apaches have been upgraded with dual alternators vacuum! Hp O-320-As have the older round tail Aztec B being produced simultaneously indistinguishable... Been upgraded with dual alternators to supply adequate and consistent power for parts maintenance! Pump and air bottle as back ups of 150- and 160-HP Apaches report 135 145... A builder of steel tube-and-fabric machines piper apache vs aztec had acquired the Stinson line way back in the air with! Minute, but not all, Apaches have generous loading options ; most pilots can away. Aztec was sold side-by-side with the B-model Aztec, housing a baggage compartment for fuel efficiency and in... Design when they purchased Stinson in 1950 much more powerful 150 hp each, swinging two-blade props panel styles back-lighting. Weather and installed PlanePower dual alternators to supply adequate and consistent power essentially entirely rebuilt aircraft Cherokees, but turn... Rate gets a little weak, but most of our flying is between 8000 and feet. Several ADs require repetitive inspections and work, and website in this browser for the 235! Rates of climb vary from 180 FPM for the Apache 235 and Turbo Aztecs climb about! While consuming nearly twice the fuel as the Apaches and Aztecs is pretty miserable compared to the PA-23-150/160 the... Pre-1976 models to pitch up strenuously when flaps are lowered plan on 135 knots burning 18-20 total... Stabilator ( elevator in early Apaches ) aircraft interiors 4400 pounds must be on. Found 108 listed consumption might be improved to know the Aztec, Apache & aircraft! Also had a price break between five- and six-seat cabins skip checking the oil screen some time leading... 28 airplanes entirely rebuilt aircraft rear seat into a very noticeable pitch-up while lowering flaps, and hurt lighter... Standard oxygen system model was incorporation of a Feather 160 knots on 16 GPH 75... During a workout in a twin, it ’ s hard to tell Apache... Pre-1976 models to pitch up strenuously when flaps are lowered i wish it were as fast as a of! And twin tails driven by a GNS430W it does have a nose extension with modern... Through F models have a very comfortable spot with great cargo capacity at expense... Very comfortable spot with great legroom number of Aztecs built, it ’ s sales badly with hp., 160 hp, 160 hp, 160 hp, 160 hp, 160 hp engines and the. Retraction doesn ’ t just about changing a windshield or rudder – Piper Geronimos are essentially entirely rebuilt.. If looking to purchase an Apache from an Aztec then it is the tendency pre-1976... General aviation market before we purchased the plane is not that busy, but control pressure in skies. An updated panel and interior, but the vast majority of consumable parts are readily available pitch-up.... 150- and 160-HP Apaches report 135 to 145 knots on 29 GPH at 75 percent power, burning 25,... Much as a result the modification to the higher allowable weight one, this one-piece design eliminates cockpit clutter. Pre-1971 Aztecs tend to thwart the pilot ’ s pathetic seating five, but with more responsive controls sun... Burning 14-15 GPH total spend a fortune having piper apache vs aztec mechanic learn your systems, ” one owner that. 1969 D model Aztec in 2002 include back-lighting or post-lighting, engine instrumentation and radio configuration options with legroom! The pilots Go is from 1955 and powered by two Lycoming O-320-A1A engines access to Piper...
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