Piper PA-23 Apache and Aztec

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Piper. Model: PA-32. Nickname: Apache, Aztec
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane ME Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane multi-engine land (and Sea!)
> Engine Description: twin piston

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/4/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 6
> Number of Times Flown: 6
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: PA23-250, PA-23S-160

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 148
> Date First Flown: 6/26/2004
> Location First Flown: Col James Jabara Airport, Wichita, KS (KAAO)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Bill Johnson

Recollections: My first flight in the Aztec (nicknamed “Aztruck”, for it’s impressive useful load and sturdiness) was with a friend, Bill Johnson.  We went out for a Familiarization flight, conducting stalls and Vmc demo, etc and I was impressed by the Aztec’s handling qualities and the quickness with which the airplane was comfortable in all phases of flight.  Bill was a patient (no, “fearless” is probably a better word) right seater as I flew his airplane doing several test pilot techniques.

I later earned my Multi-engine Seaplane rating (courtesy of the FAA) in a twin “Apache” (same model as Aztec but smaller engines) in San Andreas, CA, with instructor Ray Arcnaeux as we flew in the gorgeous foothills of the Sierra Nevada.