Like Jim, I am an Aztec owner. Mine is a '64C model. Big
brother of the Apache with the same PA23 designator. Welcome
to twin-land. The fist full of throttles is fun to fly but it looses some
of its attractivness every time I stop for fuel :-)



"Jim Burns" wrote in message
...
My partners and I all did our initial MEL in a 23-150... shopped hard for
one until we realized that we really wanted something with more payload.
Stepped up to a '66 Aztec, and even though it drinks almost twice the fuel
of it's little brother, we love it so far. As far as the workmanship and
effort, the way some of the cables and wires are routed, they went through
a
lot of effort but basically it's a tube frame that they wrapped aluminum
around and said, "Hey, put a screw or ten in it, that should hold it."
Built like a brick-s*t house for guys with strong wrists or electric
screwdrivers.

Sounds like you're already up to speed on several of the AD's, other
things
to watch for include
Leaky hydraulic power pac
Janitrol or Southwind heater AD's, lots of info and parts at
www.aircraftheater.com
old or dried out fuel bladders
Hartzell prop and hub AD's
50 hour AD for fuel leakage inspection
100 hour ADs for fuel valve inspection, engine mounts, exhaust cracks
Outboard flap hinge inspection

You may want to consider dual generators and electric fuel pumps or even
an
electric back up hydraulic pump as long as you have everything torn a
part.
Copper battery cables would also be on my list, makes starting less
strenuous on the 12v battery.

I'm sure Denny can fill you in on more.

Jim

"omk" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all,

Back into aircraft ownership, this time I was able to go whole four
months without an airplane ! After owning couple Cessnas, I got hold of
a '56 PA-23-150 project, completely stock except for newer radios,
cleveland wheels, and the (Horton ?) tips. My friend and I are going
through a partial restoration, its been a lot of fun. Engines and props
are good, had to do the flap torque tube AD, all new tires, generator
bracket & belt, rebuild two struts, bunch of new seals, o-rings, etc,
etc.

So... just curious if there are any other Apache pilots in the NG. All
the old timers at the field stop by the hangar periodically and
reminisce about flying these machines. We really have it apart and I've
been nothing short of impressed by the workmanship and effort that must
have gone into building the thing.

I've never flown twins (ok, this is more of a two-part 300hp engine
;-), but after doing a ground runup with fistful of throttles, there is
really no going back, is there...

Martin