If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Piper PA-23 Apache/Aztec
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_PA-23
The Piper PA-23, named Apache and later Aztec, is a four-to-six-seat twin-engined light aircraft aimed at the general aviation market. The United States Navy and military forces in other countries also used it in small numbers. Originally designed in the 1950s by the Stinson Aircraft Company, Piper Aircraft manufactured the Apache and a more powerful version, the Aztec, in the United States from the 1950s to the 1980s. The PA-23 was the first twin-engined Piper aircraft, and was developed from a proposed "Twin Stinson" design, inherited when Piper bought the Stinson Division of the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation. The prototype PA-23 was a four-seat low-wing all-metal monoplane with a twin tail, powered by two 125 hp Lycoming O-290-D piston engines; it first flew on 2 March 1952. The aircraft performed badly and it was redesigned with a single vertical stabilizer and an all-metal rear fuselage and more powerful 150 hp Lycoming O-320-A engines. Role Twin-engined light piston utility Manufacturer Piper Aircraft First flight 2 March 1952 Introduction 1954 Produced 1952–1981 Number built 6,976 Apache Two new prototypes of the redesigned aircraft, now named Apache, were built in 1953 and entered production in 1954; 1,231 were built. In 1958 the Apache 160 was produced by upgrading the engines to 160 hp (119 kW); 816 were built. The Apache 160 was superseded in 1962 by the Aztec-derived Apache 235. With a 1962 price of $45,000, the Apache 235 featured the Aztec's 235 hp (175 kW) engines and swept tail surfaces (119 built). Aztec The same year, Piper produced an upgraded version with 250 hp (186 kW) Lycoming O-540 engines and a swept vertical tail as the PA-23-250, and named it Aztec. The first models came in a five-seat configuration in 1959. In 1961 a longer nosed variant, the Aztec B, entered production. Later Aztecs were equipped with IO-540 fuel-injected engines and six-seat capacity, and remained in production until 1982. There were also turbocharged versions of the later models, which could fly at higher altitude. The United States Navy acquired 20 Aztecs, designating them UO-1, which changed to U-11A when unified designations were adopted in 1962. In 1974, Piper produced a single experimental PA-41P Pressurized Aztec concept. This concept was short-lived, however, as the aspects of the Aztec that made it so popular for its spacious interior and ability to haul large loads did not lend themselves well to supporting the sealed pressure vessel required for a pressurized aircraft. The project was scrapped, and the one pressurized Aztec produced, N9941P, was donated to Mississippi State University, where it was used for testing purposes. In 2000, N9941P was donated to the Piper Aviation Museum in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, on condition that it never be flown again. It is now there on display. Specifications (PA-23-250F, normally aspirated) General characteristics Crew: one Capacity: five passengers Payload: 1,600 lb (725 kg) cargo Length: 31 ft 2¾ in (9.52 m) Wingspan: 37 ft 2½ in (11.34 m) Height: 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m) Wing area: 207.6 ft² (19.28 m²) Airfoil: USA 35-B (modified) Aspect ratio: 6.8:1 Empty weight: 3,180 lb (1,442 kg) Max. takeoff weight: 5,200 lb (2,360 kg) Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 normally aspirated air-cooled flat-six piston engines, 250 hp (187 kW) each Propellers: two bladed Hartzell HC-E2YK-2RB constant speed propeller Performance Never exceed speed: 277 mph (240 knots, 446 km/h) Maximum speed: 215 mph (187 knots, 346 km/h) Cruise speed: 172 mph (150 knots, 278 km/h) at 10,200 ft (3,110 m) (long-range cruise) Stall speed: 68 mph (59 knots, 109 km/h) (flaps down) Range: 1,519 miles (1,320 nmi, 2,445 km) at long-range cruise Service ceiling: 18,950 ft (5,775 m) (absolute ceiling) Rate of climb: 1,400 ft/min (7.1 m/s) * |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
FS - Piper Aztec | Bongo | Owning | 7 | June 1st 06 02:10 PM |
FS - Piper Aztec | Bongo | Owning | 0 | May 23rd 06 02:15 PM |
Piper Aztec - Purchase Advice | Bongo | Owning | 14 | July 23rd 05 03:31 AM |
WTB: Piper Aztec C | Jim Burns | Aviation Marketplace | 0 | July 20th 04 07:38 PM |
Piper Aztec and/or Apache owner groups? | Ronnie D. Hughes | Owning | 3 | April 1st 04 07:00 PM |