Piper's '60s workhorse

It’s dependable, robust, and can take full fuel with all six seats occupied. A landmark of the golden era of GA, the Aztec is a surprisingly pleasant and easy aircraft to fly

- Bob Davy 

The Aztec, or ‘Aztruck’ as its affectionately known, is Piper’s most respected twin of all. Specifically, the PA23-250 Aztec is a true six-seater which was derived from the PA-23 Apache but with larger engines and a bigger tailplane, an all-moving stabilator replacing the Apache’s conventional fixed surface/elevators. The tube frame fuselage and standard Piper wing was retained.

In the world of literature, the sequel is often more successful than the first book and so it was with this aircraft. With 2 x 250hp replacing 2 x 160hp, the Aztec addressed all of the underpowered Apache’s shortcomings; speed, payload and more. In fact, the Aztec was so successful that Piper quickly considered building a ‘Super Aztec’ with eight-cylinder IO570 engines producing 390hp per side, until they turned to a completely new design, the PA-31 Navajo (featured in Pilot, March 2019). Aztec sales were brisk from the start and the Apache production line was closed just four years later.

What is so special about the Aztec? Like a London bus, a Land Rover or a Willys Jeep, it’s an entirely honest design that (cliché alert) does what it says on the tin. It has six seats that can all be occupied at the same time, it has controls that work, windows that you can see out of and respectable speed and range− even when heavily loaded. The Aztec isn’t the lightest or fastest piston twin but it isn’t designed to be. Like a trusted friend and a Toyota Land Cruiser, the Aztec is reliable and dependable.