(Piper) PA-23 Apache & Aztec @·AIRCRAFTUBE

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    Piper PA-23 Apache
  • Piper PA-23 Apache Piper PA-23 Apache
    Piper PA-23 Apache
  • Piper U11A Piper U11A
    Piper U11A
  • PA-23-160 Apache G PA-23-160 Apache G
    PA-23-160 Apache G
  • Piper PA-23 Apache Piper PA-23 Apache
    Piper PA-23 Apache
  • Apache - Geronimo tail Apache - Geronimo tail
    Apache - Geronimo tail
  • Piper PA-23 Aztec Piper PA-23 Aztec
    Piper PA-23 Aztec
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    Piper PA-23-160 Apache
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    Piper PA-23-160 Apache
  • PA-23-250 Aztec B PA-23-250 Aztec B
    PA-23-250 Aztec B
  • Piper PA-23E Piper PA-23E
    Piper PA-23E
  • PA-23E Aztec PA-23E Aztec
    PA-23E Aztec

Piper PA-23 Apache and Aztec

The Piper PA-23, named Apache and later Aztec, was the first twin-engine aircraft built by Piper Aircraft. A total of 6,976 exemplars were built.

Originally to be named the "Twin-Stinson" and designed as a four-seater low-wing all-metal monoplane with a twin tail, the prototype first flew 2 March 1952. The prototype was then named the PA-21 to conform to Piper's numerical nomenclature. It was redesigned with a single vertical stabilizer and an all-metal rear fuselage and renamed to Apache 150 when it entered production in 1954; 1,231 were built. In 1958, the Apache 160 was produced by upgrading the engines to 160 hp (or 119 kW), and 816 were built before being superseded by the Apache 235, which went to 235 hp (or 175 kW) engines and swept tail surfaces (119 built).

Declining sales of the Apache prompted the redesign dubbed PA-23-250 Aztec, with 250 hp (or 186 kW) Lycoming. The first models were delivered with O-540 Lycoming carburetor engines. These first models came in a five-seat configuration which became available in 1959. The later models of the Aztec were equipped with IO-540 fuel-injected engines and six-seat capacity, and continued in production until 1982. There were also turbocharged versions of the later models, which were able to fly at higher altitudes.

Among other light twin-engined airplanes of its generation, the Aztec was known for its good load hauling, long endurance, stable handling, and respectable single-engine performance, at the cost of higher fuel consumption and a draggier (slower) airframe. Part of the drag was due to use of the same basic wing design (albeit with substantially different dimensions and construction) as the Piper Cub series of aircraft. The Piper Cub airfoil gave the Aztec superior short field operation characteristics at the price of lower performance at cruising speeds.

The US Navy acquired 20 Aztecs, designating them UO-1, which changed to U-11A when unified designations were adopted in 1962.

Variants

  • PA-23 Twin-Stinson : Original designation of the Piper PA-23 Apache.
  • PA-23 Apache : Initial production version, 2047 built (including the Apache E, G and H).
  • PA-23-150 Apache B : 1955 variant with minor changes.
  • PA-23-150 Apache C : 1956 variant with minor changes.
  • PA-23-150 Apache D : 1957 variant with minor changes.
  • PA-23-160 Apache E : PA-23 powered by two 160 hp O-320-B engines.
  • PA-23-160 Apache G : PA-23 with longer internal cabin and extra window.
  • PA-23-160 Apache H : Apache G with 0-320-B2B engines and minor changes.
  • PA-23-235 Apache 235 : Apache with 5 seats and 235 hp O-540 engines, 118 built.
  • PA-23-250 Aztec : Apache G with modified rear fuselage, new fin and rudder and 250hp Lycoming O-540-A1D engines, 4811 built (including sub-variants)
  • PA-23-250 Aztec B : Aztec with longer nose for a baggage compartment; six seats, new instrument panel and changes to systems.
  • PA-23-250 Aztec C : Aztec B with either IO-540-C4B5 engines or turbocharged TIO-540-C4B5 as an option, also modified engine nacelles and modified landing gear.
  • PA-23-250 Aztec D : Aztec B with revised instrument panel and controls.
  • PA-23-250 Aztec E : Aztec D with longer pointed nose and a single piece windshield.
  • PA-23-250 Aztec F : Aztec E with improved systems and cambered wingtips and tailplane tip extensions.
  • PA-23T-250 Turbo-Aztec : Generally similar to the Aztec F, powered by two TIO-540 piston engines, fitted with a Garret turbocharging system.
  • U-11A : United States Navy designation formerly UO-1.
  • UO-1 : United States Navy designation for PA-23-250 Aztec with additional equipment; 20 delivered, later re-designated U-11A.
  • PA-41P Pressurized Aztec : Pressurized Aztec concept, one built.
  • Seguin Geronimo : Apache with a series of modifications to the engines, nose and tail.

Military Operators

Argentina, Bolivia, Cameroon, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Madagascar, Mexico, Spain, United States (US Navy), Venezuela.

Accidents and incidents

On 18 April 1974, Aztec G-AYDE was involved in a ground collision with BAC One-Eleven G-AXMJ at London Luton Airport after the pilot of the Aztec entered the active runway without clearance. He was killed and his passenger was injured. All 91 people on board the One-Eleven successfully evacuated after take-off was aborted.

On 29 November 1975, retired F1 driver and Embassy Hill car owner Graham Hill was piloting Piper PA-23-350 Aztec N6645Y from France to London, United Kingdom. His passengers were driver Tony Brise team manager Ray Brimble, designer Andy Smallman and mechanics Terry Richards and Tony Alcock. They were returning from Circuit Paul Ricard, Var, where they had been testing the Hill GH2 car being prepared for the 1976 Formula One season. They were due to land at Elstree Airfield, Hertfordshire, before onward travel to London to attend a party. Shortly before 10pm, the aircraft hit trees beside a golf course at Arkley, Hertfordshire in thick fog. In the ensuing crash and explosion killing everyone on board.

On 15 April 1978, Hollywood stunt flyer Frank Tallman was ferrying a Piper Aztec from Santa Monica Airport, California, to Phoenix, Arizona under visual flight rules when he continued the flight into deteriorating weather, a lowering ceiling and rain. He struck the side of Santiago Peak in the Santa Ana Mountains near Trabuco Canyon at cruise altitude, dying in the ensuing crash.

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This text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License
Source : Article Piper PA-23 of Wikipedia ( authors )

Specifications (model E, normally aspirated)

  • Crew : one pilot.
  • Capacity : 6 passengers (4 in the early models).
  • Length : 31 ft 3 in (or 9.51 m).
  • Height : 10 ft 4 in (or 3.14 m).
  • Wingspan : 37 ft 2 in (or 11.3 m).
  • Wing area : 208 ft² (or 19.3 m²).
  • Wing loading : 25 lb/ft² (or 120 kg/m²).
  • Empty weight : 3,300 lb (or 1500 kg).
  • Max takeoff weight : 5,200 lb (or 2360 kg).
  • Maximum speed : 210 mph (or 182 knots or 340 km/h).
  • Range : 1,200 miles (or 1042 nm or 1,900 km).
  • Service ceiling 20,000 ft (or 6100 m).
  • Rate of climb : 1,500 ft/min (or 460 m/min).
  • Powerplant : Two Lycoming O-540-C4B5.
  • Power : 250 hp (or 186 kW) each.
  • Power/mass : 10 lb/hp (or 3.38 kg/kW).

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This text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License
Source : Article Piper PA-23 of Wikipedia ( authors )
Piper PA-23 Apache & Aztec : Your comments on this subject
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