Today’s Top Pick is a 1981 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F.

A veteran instructor said that owning a light twin is a big step up from piston singles, in both performance and expense. However, for those who find themselves flying ever-longer distances over terrain not suited for emergency landings, the measure of security a second engine offers can easily be worth the cost.

The aircraft for sale here has a roomy, six-place cabin with good-looking upholstery and a panel with a number of modern upgrades. The F model is the last of the Aztec types, and 1981 was the aircraft’s last year of production. The first Aztecs arrived on the market in 1960 and each successive version, with a new letter suffix, brought new features. Many people prefer the F model over the rest because it has most of the desirable features, such as the long nose housing an extended baggage compartment.

This 1981 Piper Aztec F has 3,242 hours on the airframe, 493 hours on each of its 250 hp Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 engines since overhaul, and 26 hours on both propellers since overhaul. A one-piece windshield, long-range fuel tanks, and electric trim are among the aircraft’s upgrades.

The panel features Garmin GNS 530 WAAS and GNS 430 WAAS GPS/Nav/Comms, GMA 340 audio panel, King KCS 55 HSI, Garmin GTX 327 transponder STEC 55X autopilot, King KN DME, Bendix RDR 159 color radar, JPI EDM 760 engine monitor, and Shadin fuel flow instrument,      

Pilots looking for a reliable, six-seat light twin with a nice combination of load-carrying capacity, short-field performance, and cruising speed should consider this  1981 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F, which is available for $280,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Hartzell Has Top Prop Available for Aztec Operators
• FLYING Magazine: MT-Propeller Receives STCs for Composite Props on Piper, Cessna Twins
• FLYING Magazine: Things to Think About When Moving Up to a Light Twin
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Aztec 
• Plane & Pilot: Piper Apache
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Piper Aztec
• AVweb: Record-Breaking Aviator Fran Bera Dead At 93

The post This 1981 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F Is a Well-Kept ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1968 Beechcraft E95 Travel Air.

It is safe to say that many, if not most, piston-single pilots at some point consider the prospect of flying a light twin. Many decide against it because of the added expense, complexity, training requirements, or because their typical missions would not benefit much from a second engine.

In some cases, though, such as when pilots regularly make long flights over water, mountainous terrain or at night, a light twin offers a significant measure of safety and flexibility. In a word, a twin gives the pilot options.

The Beechcraft Travel Air occupies a sweet spot between more powerful twins like the Cessna 310 and models like the Piper Apache, which can struggle to stay aloft on a single engine.

While burning just a bit more fuel than a high-performance piston single and offering easier single-engine handling than some other twins, the Travel Air makes a good case for people who use their aircraft for serious travel. It is fast enough and carries enough of a load to get a family of four or five to their destination sooner and safer than a single. 

This 1968 Travel Air has 4,099 hours on the airframe, 110 hours on each of its Lycoming IO-360 engines with 101 hours on the right propeller since overhaul and seven hours on the left. The aircraft is equipped with RayJay turbo-normalizing systems and hot props for de-icing. Its fuel capacity is 104 gallons and useful load totals 1,178 pounds. Other features include vortex generators and Brackett air filters. 

The panel includes an Aspen Evolution EFD 1000 PFD, Garmin G5 HSI, Apollo SL 15 audio panel and SL 30 digital Comm radio, Garmin GMX 200 MFD, Garmin GNS 430 WAAS GPS/Nav/Comm, Garmin Gi 208 glide slope/VOR/localizer indicator, King KR 87 ADF, Garmin GTX 330 transponder with traffic, Stormscope, angle of attack indicator, S-Tec 60-2 autopilot, EDM 700 engine monitor, and Collins microline digital DME.

Pilots looking for a light twin with performance, economy and practicality that make it an ideal personal transport, should consider this 1968 Beechcraft E95 Travel Air, which is available for $159,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Things to Think About When Moving Up to a Light Twin
• FLYING Magazine: Wrong Worry in Twins Versus Singles
• Plane & Pilot: Beech Travel Air
• The Aviation Consumer: Beech 95 Travel Air

The post This 1968 Beechcraft E95 Travel Air Is a Comfortably Redundant ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

1975 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec E.

When the first PA-23s rolled out of the factory, they marked a departure for Piper. In contrast to the company’s long line of high-wing, tube-and-fabric singles, the new model, called the Apache, was all metal with a low wing and two engines. While it represented “a lot of airplane” compared with the Cubs, Cruisers, and Pacers in which many pilots had trained, some considered it underpowered with a pair of Lycoming O-320s rated at 150 hp each. Single-engine performance was marginal.

Piper made many improvements, but the tide truly turned when the Aztec appeared in 1960. Even though it was still labeled as a PA-23, the Aztec performed like a completely different aircraft. With 250 hp engines, six seats, and a baggage compartment in the nose, it developed a reputation as a strong load carrier and comfortable traveling airplane.

This 1975 Piper Aztec E has 7,640 hours on the airframe, 249 hours on each of its Lycoming IO-540 engines, and 119 hours on its propellers since overhaul. The panel includes a Garmin GMA 340 audio panel, GNS 430 GPS, GNS 150 GPS, MX 20 MFD, King KX 155 nav/com, KN 64 DME, KT 76A transponder, KR 85 ADF, S-Tec 50 autopilot, and JPI EDM 760 engine monitor. The aircraft also has de-ice boots and long-range tanks.

Pilots seeking a light twin that handles well, is relatively easy to fly, and has the power to haul big loads should take a look at this 1975 Piper PA-23-250, which is available for $200,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: MT-Propeller Receives STCs for Composite Props on Piper, Cessna Twins
• FLYING Magazine: Hartzell Has Top Prop Available for Aztec Operators
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Piper Aztec

The post This 1975 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec Is a Roomy ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick for Travelers appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The company said the damping characteristics of the new props result in nearly vibration-free operation. The composite blades have unlimited service life and can be repaired if damaged by foreign object debris.

• READ MORE: MT-Propeller Builds Composite Warbird Props for North American P-51, F-82

The STC is also likely to elevate the Aztec’s ramp appeal. The type typically sports two-blade props that can look bland and old-fashioned.

The German propeller manufacturer also announced it has received an EASA STC for the installation of its four-blade MTV-14 propellers on Cessna 414 Chancellors with or without RAM IV and VII upgrades. The company said an FAA STC is “in progress.”

• READ MORE: Pilatus PC-12 Aircraft Meet European Noise Regs with 7-Blade Prop

When installed on the 414, the four-blade MT props can shorten takeoff distance by 6 percent and improve climb by 5 to 8 percent. Cruise performance gets a 3 to 5 knot boost. The props also weigh about 20 pounds less than the originals, turn with “turbine smoothness,” and significantly reduce noise inside and outside of the cabin, MT said.

MT produces 30 certified propeller models for piston and turbine aircraft. The product range includes hydraulically and electrically controlled variable-pitch props with up to seven blades as well as fixed-pitch, two-blade props.

The post MT-Propeller Receives STCs for Composite Props on Piper, Cessna Twins appeared first on FLYING Magazine.