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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 16 Nov 2020, 18:44 
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Removing the 2nd row seat on the door side is a nice alteration.

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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 16 Nov 2020, 18:54 
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Username Protected wrote:
I did NOT enjoy having elevator trim as a hand crank over your head, that was my least desirable aspect of flying an Aztec


Having controls or switches on overhead panels makes it feel way more "piloty," in a good way.

My first Cherokee time was in an older 140 that had an overhead crank. My club has 2 with the center trim wheel, and it bugs me because my butt is too fat to get my hand down there easily.


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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 16 Nov 2020, 19:06 
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Username Protected wrote:
Removing the 2nd row seat on the door side is a nice alteration.


Yes, absolutely. It makes for a cavernous interior.


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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 16 Nov 2020, 19:17 
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Location: 13FA Earle Airpark FL/0A7 Hville NC
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Username Protected wrote:
Removing the 2nd row seat on the door side is a nice alteration.


Yes, absolutely. It makes for a cavernous interior.


Also opens up a spot for a cooler that can be reached from any of the remaining seats. Makes a good foot rest too. Another neat mod is to put a pair of shorter 5th seats from the five seat 60/61/62 Aztec and Apache 235 models that could not seat six due to lack of emergency exit. They did not have the separate baggage compartment behind the third row-just a small baggage area next to the 5th seat. Having individual 3rd row seats, replacing the bench, gives access to the rear baggage compartment and removing one of them or sliding it forward to the second row allows for outsized cargo.

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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 16 Nov 2020, 23:44 
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Joined: 01/02/08
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Company: Rusnak Auto Group
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I owned for a brief time an Aztec. Never flew it - just had an annual inspection and IFR certs done then sold it. Buying my Baron from the Chuck Ney estate was a 2-plane deal. This thread is making me regret I never built some time in it.


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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 17 Nov 2020, 00:12 
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Sven, what year/model is that?


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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 17 Nov 2020, 01:05 
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Hi Mark, that was N4833P. It was a 1961 model PA-23-250, s/n 27-401. Was in very good condition with a Hartzell Top Prop conversion on high time engines. Paint and interior were both pretty decent - panel was definitely “old school”.

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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 17 Nov 2020, 10:00 
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You can’t talk Apaches without mentioning Prarie Air Service in Benton, Kansas. Herb has been instructing in the same Apache since the 80’s, and I think his Apache has over 35,000 hours on it.


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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 17 Nov 2020, 10:15 
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Wow guess my 8k airframe might last a while longer yet.

Love this thread.

Did my multi in and bought an Aztec.
I have a 90s era Chevy suburban and it’s an apt comparison.

Easy math - 1000 lbs for 1000 miles at 170kts

I’m trying to hold out on any big upgrades mods until I see a garmin autopilot options.

If I am confident that I can one day have the modern autopilot then I’d have no hesitation to do engines props interior and panel it really really fits our family’s relatively short haul missions so suburban speeds are A OK


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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 17 Nov 2020, 13:08 
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@Richard Beliveau-

Your Hawaii adventure story is nothing short of stunning! Can't imagine.

Let me ask you a question....in your 20's did you need to walk around with a wheelbarrow?

Incredible! What a story. Dead reckoning is the topper. The target is beyond tiny at 2200NM.

Mark


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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 17 Nov 2020, 15:48 
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Username Protected wrote:
Hi Mark, that was N4833P. It was a 1961 model PA-23-250, s/n 27-401. Was in very good condition with a Hartzell Top Prop conversion on high time engines. Paint and interior were both pretty decent - panel was definitely “old school”.


Those are cool old airplanes and a joy to fly. Kind of like the difference between the early light weight Bonanza vs. an A36. Biggest drawback was the lack of a nose baggage compartment to balance out your overloaded aft baggage. (And lack of seperate aft baggage)

I purchased one once that was geared up and on its belly on the ramp. The owner, who was married to a Mexican lady, was using it to smuggle Mexicans across the gulf into Central Fl. He landed late one night soft and smooth enough that it gradually curled the prop tips without stopping the engines. The step was broken off and when he raised the flaps that drug the runway he was able to use differential braking and power to taxi it to the ramp. The early models had gear doors like a Twin Bo with the tires hanging out. The seats and rear bulkhead were removed to fit more people. I am sure the aft CG helped.

I went over and jacked it up and bolted a pair of props from a U11 that I had just flown in from Arizona To part out. The geared up one had 3800 hrs on the engines but it was still too nice to part out. I flew it for a while with the scraped aft belly then sold it from a trade-a-plane ad to a guy that said he just needed to build 100 hrs multi. He asked me if I could check him out in it. I said sure. When he arrived and paid for it I realized that he did not even have a multi. I had to teach him the drill but he did fine and off he went back to Louisiana. I would not have done that with any other model twin.

A couple of years later I had someone call with an Aztec for sale. He described “this one” to a T-Metco non fuel tips, Nyak extended nose with baggage compartment etc. knowing that it was probably at 2x TBO by now I asked him the engine times. He said that “he was not sure” as the engine logs were misplaced. I advised him that when I last owned it they were almost 4000 hours and he could probably get in trouble with that story. I never heard back from him but a year or so later a buddy of mine called me and said “you will never believe what I just bought-an Aztec with 4200 hour motors!”. He kept it for a while then sold it to a Bahamian.

The 62/63 B model is sweet Aztec too. It has the same carbureted engines with augmentor tubes and a better cowl than the newer Aztecs but with the larger nose with baggage and an aft baggage compartment. I operated one for years as a Bahamas work horse. I am embarrassed to say how much over grossed it will fly as long as you are careful. The carbureted engines with augmentor tubes last longer due to improved cooling and there is less tendency to have a hot cylinder from a partially clogged injector. I installed the pointed F model nose that I used to hold the STC for, installed a radar and repitched and fitted a pair of three blade props from a 290 HP Doyne Aztec (talk about a performer) that I had parted out on it. The props made it capable of climbing out at an incredible deck angle but slowed it down quite a bit. I could still fly all over the Bahamas and back to New Smyrna without having to buy fuel. I miss that old airplane.


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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 17 Nov 2020, 16:26 
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Jack Murdock, the founder of Tektronix, commissioned the first Aztec Nomad. He had Clayton Scott of Jobmaster, in Renton build the floatplane. This was about 1969.

Clayton was an early Boeing test pilot. Murdock was also the Piper distributor for the 11 western states and Alaska. "Melridge Aviation" in Vancouver, WA.

Jack perished in a Super Cub floatplane accident a few years later.

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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 17 Nov 2020, 17:47 
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I believe a Canadian company near me holds the STC now:

http://aztecnomad.com/

Cool machines.


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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 17 Nov 2020, 18:03 
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Norman,

What is a Doyne Aztec?


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 Post subject: Re: The Piper Aztec/Apache thread
PostPosted: 17 Nov 2020, 18:10 
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What's the reason for indentation in nose?


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