Specifications for the Piper PA-23 Apache

soundproofing, $632 ($882 for "super soundproofing"); and dual ram's-horn control wheels, $695. The Geronimo is finished with a cus- tom interior ($3,550, including a new headliner, seat upholstery, side panels and carpet), panel refabrication and re- arrangement, $4,100. New paint costs an additional $3,675. The previously mentioned prices are for modifications performed by Seguin Aviation. Except for the engines, props and nacelles, the modifications are available in kit form at lower cost. Many of the modifications also are ap- proved for the Piper Aztec. Several options are available for the Geronimo, including wing tip tanks, which hold 24 gallons of fuel each, $3,250; a sixth passenger seat and kick- out window, $1,205; a rear cargo door, $4,400; and an inflatable door seal, $478. None of the options for the Ge- ronimo are available as kits. While about half of Seguin's custom- ers have opted for full Geronimo con- versions (or have purchased Geroni- mos outright), others have chosen partial conversions. The most popular COllti/lued 70· JANUARY 1985 GERONIMO Two-piece, fiberglass nacelles improve cooling and reduce drag. They can be removed in a jiffy. AOPA PILOT • 71 cont;'lUfd GERONIMO N314KB IIll'allS March /4, Kathryll alld Bill: thl' hists' Wl'ddillg allllivl'rsary. A lIickllall/l' providl'd by his studl'lIts has bl'colI/l' a traditioll for Ed CraIlI'. Cause for Conversion modifications among the latter group are the extended nose section and the gear doors. For $6,500, these modifica- tions, alone, substantially improve the Apache's appearance and performance. The changes in appearance and per- formance that evolve from the full con- version, however, are startling. The Geronimo looks more like a trim Twin Comanche or a big Wing Derringer than an Apache, and its performance is superior to most modern light twins. According to Seguin Aviation's data, collected during flight tests at 3,800 pounds (200 pounds shy of gross weight), the airplane requires only 400 feet for takeoff or landing, and climbs at 2,000 fpm. It cruises at about 168 knots, burning 20 gallons of fuel per hour, at 75-percent power: At 65-per- cent power, it cruises at 162 knots burning about ] 8 gph. The Geronimo stalls at 52 knots, clean, and 47 knots in landing configuration. Single-engine performance is the Geronimo's forte. Vmc, the minimum airspeed at which the airplane can be controlled with its critical engine inop- erative, is 63 knots. Single-engine rate of climb, according to Seguin Aviation, is 750 fpm, and single-engine service ceiling is ] 2,000 feet. During a flight in N6918, a Geron- imo used by the company for flight in- struction and demonstration, Paul Holman shut down the right (critical) engine and feathered the propeller at about 5,000 feet. The temperature at that altitude was 95 degrees. At blue line (Vyse, best single-engine rate of climb speed: 83 knots), the airplane climbed at 100 fpm. Seguin Aviation not only modifies Apaches but sells completely converted aircraft, as well. The price for a fin- ished Geronimo is approximately $97,500. Avionics equipment is extra, and the company offers a good selec- tion, including installation of weather radar systems. Several new modifica- tions are in the works, including an electrothermal propeller 'deice system, air conditioning and a new windshield design. More information is available from Seguin Aviation, 2075 Highway 46, Seguin, Texas 78]55. Telephone: 5 ]2/379-3278. The Geronimo is worthy of consider- ation by anyone in the market for a light twin. One flight will convince to shut down his aircraft's right engine on two consecutive takeoffs because of water in the fuel that had gone undetected dur- ing preflight. Both times, Crane was able to bring "Bad Molly Trolley II" (a nick- name provided by his students) safely around for a single-engine landing. Frist, AOI'A 442660, is the owner of N314KB, the Geronimo that appe.us in the photographs accompanying these arti- cles. He bought an Apache about three years ago, intending to have the airplane modified. Initially, he considered having the work done by local mechanics but, af- ter visiting Seguin Aviation, decided to have the work done there. He is pleased with the decision. During the first annual inspection of his Geronimo, a broken en- gine mount had to be replaced; although the airplane's warranty had expired, Se- guin picked up the tab. "They sell a high- quality, first-class airplane," Frist notes, "and they stand behind their product 100 percent." -MML One of the most important considerations in purchasing a Seguin Geronimo conver- sion (or, for that matter, any other major airframe/engine conversion package) is resale value. The investment for the con- version is :iubstanti,ll and, generally, can- not be recouped on resale. The purchaser must decide that he is going to have to keep the airplane for awhile in order to realize a return on the investment. Geronimo owners Edward W. Crane and Dr. William H. Frist do plan to keep their airplanes for awhile. Neither Crane, a schoolteacher during the day and oper- ator of a thriving gymnastics and ski in- struction business in his spare time, nor Frist, a surgical resident, fly their Geroni- mos very often or have the time for fre- quent recurrent training. Their airplanes provide just what these general aviation pilots need: exceptional single-engine per- formance. The performance came in handy a few years ago for Crane, AOI'A 6955%, who had 72 • JANUARY 1985 even the most jaded skeptic that the airplane cannot be passed off as a $100,000 Apache. The Geronimo is an entirely different airplane. More than 20 years of refinement by Seguin Aviac tion have produced an attractive light twin that is easy to fly, economical to operate and capable of excellent perfor- mance when the chips are down. 0 168 kt/907 nm (120 pph/20 gph) 162 kt/972 nm (108 pph/18 gph) Service ceiling 23,000 ft Single-engine service ceiling 12,000 ft Landing distance over 50-ft obst 675 ft Landing distance, ground roll 400 ft Limiting and Recommended Airspeeds Vmc (Min control w / 63 KIAS critical engine inoperative) Vx (Best angle of climb) 76 KIAS Vy (Best rate of climb) 91 KIAS Vyse (Best single-engine rate of climb) 83 KIAS Vfe (Max flap extended) 87 or 109 KIAS Vie (Max gear extended) 109 or 130 KIAS Vno (Max structural cruising) 156 KIAS Vne (Never exceed) 197 KIAS Vs I (Stall, clean) 52 KIAS Vso (Stall in landing configuration) 47 KIAS All speeifieatiotls are based Otl matlufaeturer's ealeu/atiotls. 'Performatlee figures are based Otl aircraft gross weight of 3,800 poutlds. Seguin Geronimo Price $97,498 (fully converted aircraft) Specifications Lycoming 0-360-AID 180 hp @ 2,700 rpm Recommended TBO 2,000 hr Propellers Hartzell two-blade, constant- speed, full-feathering; 74 in dia. 29 ft 8.6 in 9 ft 6 in 35 ft 3.6 in 207.6 sq ft 19.3 Ib/sq ft 11.1 Ib/hp 5 8 ft 3.5 in 4 ft 4.3 in 3 ft II in 2,500 Ib 4,000 Ib 1,5001b 852 Ib 648 Ib (108 gal) 936 Ib (156 gal) 1,200 Ib (200 gal) 250lb Powerplants l.ength Height Wingspan Wing area Wing loading Power loading Seats Cabin length Cabin height Cabin width Empty weight Gross weight Useful load Payload w /full fuel Fuel capacity, std w /wing tip tanks w /nacelle tanks Baggage capacity Performance· Takeoff distance, ground roll Takeoff distance over 50-ft obst Rate of climb, sea level Single-engine ROC, sea level Max level speed, sea level Cruise speed/range, std fuel (total fuel consumption) @ 75% power @ 65% power 400 ft 650 ft 2,000 fpm 750 fpm 174 kt