Piper PA-23 Apache

Piper Aircraft · United States · first flew 1952 · light aircraft

The Piper PA-23 Apache was Piper Aircraft's first twin-engine design, offering light-aircraft operators a step up to multi-engine flying at a modest cost. It was produced from 1954 to 1963 and paved the way for the more capable Aztec.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	8.42 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Piper's first twin-engine design with characteristic low wing
Twin Lycoming flat-four engines in wing nacelles
Unpressurised cabin twin for general aviation, forerunner of the Aztec

A low-wing twin with twin vertical tails is not the Apache — it has a single conventional tail; the straight low wing, twin nacelled engines, and rounded fuselage nose are characteristic.

Specifications

The Piper PA-23 Apache has a length of 8.42 m (28 ft).
It has a wingspan of 11.33 m (37 ft).
Its maximum speed is 306 km/h (190 mph).
Typical crew: 1 pilot + up to 4 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Derived from a Twin Stinson prototype acquired by Piper, the Apache entered production in 1954. It sold well to private owners, charter operators, and flying schools seeking an affordable twin, with over 2,000 built before the PA-23-250 Aztec replaced it.

Variants

Progressive improvements led to the PA-23-160 and PA-23-235 with uprated engines; the PA-23-250 Aztec is a stretched, more powerful development that became a separate type.

Where you'll see it

The Apache was popular in the US general aviation market and exported widely; some remain in service with private owners and flying clubs as affordable twin-engine trainers.

Related aircraft

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