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PA-23 Apache/Aztec
	PA-23 Aztec
Role	Twin-engined light piston utility
Manufacturer	Piper Aircraft
First flight	1952
Introduction	1954
Primary user	United States Navy
Produced	1952-1981
Number built	6,976

The Piper PA-23, named Apache and later Aztec, is a twin-engined monoplane, based primarily on designs by graduate students from the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Design and development

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^[1] 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 In 1958, the Apache 160 was produced by upgrading the engines to 160 hp (119 kW), and 816 were built before being superseded by the Apache 235, which went to 235 hp (175 kW) engines and swept tail surfaces (119 built).

Declining sales of the Apache prompted the redesign^{[citation needed]} dubbed PA-23-250 Aztec, with 250 hp (186 kW) Lycoming O-540 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.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]} The Piper Cub airfoil (USA35B) 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.

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, PA, on the condition that it never be flown again. It now sits there on display.

[edit] Variants

PA-23 Apache: Initial production version, 2047 built (including the Apache E, G and H).
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.
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, 1 built.