The Aztec's Reputation Is Complicated

Ask any pilot who trained on a Piper Aztec and you will hear two things: it taught them twin-engine flying better than any aircraft designed for the purpose, and they are relieved it was the school's problem to maintain, not theirs.

That tension defines the PA-23 Aztec market. The Aztec is a competent, capable, affordable twin — genuinely the entry point for piston twin ownership — but it is also a complex 40-to-60-year-old aircraft with hydraulic systems that need attention, a handful of known problem areas, and a long history of attracting buyers seduced by low prices into expensive maintenance surprises.

455 real Aztec transactions tell us what these aircraft actually sell for. Here is everything you need to evaluate one properly.

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What the Aztec Actually Is

Piper introduced the PA-23-250 Aztec in 1959, building on the earlier PA-23 Apache. The Aztec got bigger Lycoming IO-540 engines — 250hp each — and the long, purposeful nose that distinguishes it from the snub-nosed Apache. It remained in production until 1981, producing variants B through F.

Engines: Lycoming IO-540, 250hp each (normally aspirated variants); TIO-540 on turbocharged models.
Cruise: 180–190 knots at 75% power (normally aspirated); Turbo F cruises approximately 183 knots but at higher altitudes.
Fuel burn: 25–30 GPH combined — similar to other light twins.
Seating: Six seats.
TBO: 2,000 hours on the Lycoming IO-540.
Gear: Hydraulic retractable — shared system with flaps and brakes.

The shared hydraulic system is worth understanding before you buy one. Landing gear, wing flaps, and brakes all run off the same hydraulic circuit. This simplifies the design but means that a hydraulic issue can simultaneously affect all three systems. It is not a flaw, exactly — it is a design choice that requires attentive maintenance.

Variants: B Through F

Aztec B (1961–1963)

The first production variant after the original 1959/1960 aircraft. The B established the basic Aztec configuration: long nose, IO-540 engines, six seats. Available in standard and turbo configurations.

Buy one if: You want the lowest possible entry price and have a good relationship with a Piper-specialist shop. Expect to budget for deferred maintenance and an avionics upgrade.

Aztec C (1963–1968)

The C added a turbo option with Continental TIO-540 engines, improved systems, and updated landing gear. The non-turbo C is one of the most commonly transacted Aztecs in our database.

Buy one if: You want a turbocharged twin at an accessible price. The C-turbo is a capable cross-country aircraft.

Aztec D (1968–1970)

Piper standardised the instrument panel on the D model, replacing the "scatter-shot" layout of earlier aircraft with a conventional T arrangement. This sounds minor but matters meaningfully in IMC.

Buy one if: You want the modern panel layout at the pre-E price point.

Aztec E (1970–1975) — The First Really Comfortable One

The E model addressed a known handling issue: pre-E Aztecs pitched nose-up when flaps were first deployed, requiring significant corrective pressure. Piper added a stronger stabilator down spring, substantially improving the handling characteristic. The E is the earliest variant that most instructors would comfortably recommend to a first-time twin buyer without significant caveats.

Buy one if: You want the most important handling improvement at a reasonable price. The E is often considered the minimum viable Aztec for private owners.

Aztec F (1975–1981) — The Best One Built

The F is the final and most refined variant. Updated systems, improved avionics compatibility, the cleanest airframe. Turbo F models are available and deliver meaningful altitude performance at the cost of additional fuel burn and turbo maintenance.

Our advice: Buy the nicest F you can afford. The price premium over earlier variants is justified by lower deferred maintenance risk and better systems. A clean F in our database transacts around $140,000–$160,000.

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The Pricing Reality

Our data: 455 transactions | Median $125,000 | P25 $83,500 | P75 $175,000

The Aztec is genuinely affordable for a six-seat twin. Prices range from under $85,000 for earlier high-time models to $175,000+ for clean late-model F variants.

Price Trend (2019–2025)

Year	Sales	Average Price
2019	4	$121,700
2021	9	$95,700
2022	10	$119,300
2023	70	$154,900
2024	75	$187,700
2025	184	$144,500

Prices peaked in 2024 at an average of $187k before normalising to $144k in 2025. The pattern mirrors what we saw in other GA aircraft — pandemic-era demand driving appreciation, followed by correction as supply normalised.

The Aztec sits comfortably between the Cessna 310 and the Baron 55 in the light twin market. It offers more mission capability than the 310 in some respects (more cabin space, six seats) at a price point that the Baron usually exceeds.

Piper Aztec price guide →

Average time on market: 123 days across 411 transactions with valid dates. Comparable to the M20J — the Aztec market is active, with buyers who know what they want.

What to Inspect

The Aztec has specific, well-documented problem areas. A pre-purchase inspection should address all of these explicitly — do not accept a generic annual as a substitute.

Hydraulic system: The shared landing gear, flap, and brake hydraulic circuit is the most maintenance-intensive system on the aircraft. Look for: hydraulic fluid leaks anywhere in the system, spongy brake pedals (often the first sign of hydraulic problems), slow gear retraction or extension. Inspect the actuators, lines, and reservoir condition. Budget for hydraulic overhaul if the records don't clearly show recent work.

Landing gear mechanism: Inspect the gear actuators and all attachment points. Demand confirmation of AD compliance on all gear-related ADs.

Fuel system and caps: All Aztecs have a documented history of leaky fuel caps. One came off in flight on record. Verify cap condition and sealing on both tanks. The fuel bladders deteriorate with age — check carefully.

Engine cowls: Aztec cowls are notoriously difficult to remove and reinstall, which has historically incentivised some operators to defer cowl-access inspections. If the logbooks show annual intervals without noting cowl-access work, ask what was actually inspected. STC modifications providing one-piece cowls are available and meaningfully reduce maintenance friction if you plan to own the aircraft long-term.

Turbo system (turbocharged models): There is an AD requiring modifications to the turbocharger oil tank and fire shrouds on turbocharged Aztecs. Confirm compliance before purchase. The AD is not expensive to comply with on a properly maintained aircraft, but non-compliance is a red flag about overall maintenance standards.

Pre-E model pitch behaviour: If evaluating a B, C, or D model, ask your instructor to demonstrate flap application in the pattern. The nose-up pitch tendency is manageable, but you need to be aware of it before your first landing attempt.

The Honest Assessment

The Aztec is not a glamorous aircraft. It does not cruise fast enough to justify itself on efficiency alone — a Cessna 340 or Baron 58 covers ground faster, and several singles come close on speed. What the Aztec offers is twin-engine redundancy, six seats, and genuine IFR capability at a price that makes it accessible to individual owners rather than just flight schools and charter operators.

The risks are specific: complex hydraulic system, old airframe, a long service history that may include periods of deferred maintenance. The advice that circulates among Aztec owners is consistent — buy the nicest example you can find, not the cheapest. A $90,000 Aztec in poor condition can easily cost more to bring to standard than the $40,000 difference to a clean $130,000 example.

The Lycoming IO-540's 2,000-hour TBO is a genuine asset. These engines are well-understood, well-supported, and tend to reach or exceed TBO with proper care. A fresh or mid-time engine on both sides is the single most important factor in acquisition cost modelling.

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If you are considering the Aztec alongside other light twins, our guides to the Cessna 310 and Beechcraft Baron 55 cover the main alternatives at comparable price points.

Read the Cessna 310 guide → | Read the Baron 55 guide →