[STEVE]

STEVE on October 10, 2021 at 8:12 am #20987

Hi Frank,
Thanks for the update.
I’m sure you remember that I’m up at Paso–KPRB.
Looking forward to a ride.
Best,
Steve

[Frank]

Frank on October 9, 2021 at 6:58 pm #20986

Hi Steve –

Apologies for the delay in replying. I finally got my Aztec into shape for my multiengine checkride, and then after that it spent a month at Diamond Aire catching up on deferred maintenance. It’s home, has a working heater (finally!) and I’ve got this month before it goes in for annual. I would be happy to go for a spin – will try sending you a message with my contact info.
-Frank.

[STEVE]

STEVE on June 29, 2021 at 2:07 pm #20767

Hi Frank,
My name is Steve. I help to answer tech questions so we will probably become more acquainted.
My home ‘drome is right up the road at KPRB.
I fly a 1960 Piper Comanche with a 180 hp engine.
Flying mostly here on the Central Coast and in California can spoil a pilot–endless days where a weather briefing is barely necessary.
I’ve always heard the Aztec is a sweet airplane; I’d love to go for a ride one day when we’re both free.
Best,
Steve

[Eric Parks]

Eric Parks on June 26, 2021 at 2:13 pm #20763

You broke the code on the trim “wheels” (levers?). That’s exactly how I keep track of it as well. I had flown the old Cherokee before so that wasn’t completely new to me.

So far as the feel, yes, your Aztec is definitely bigger than the 182 with more mass and inertia. So it should feel noticeably more “substantial” and you are correct that changes to power may take longer as the plane has more mass to deal with. Descent planning may get a little more important as that big Aztec will cover more ground while coming down! My Apache will respond more quickly and fly more like the 182 than the Aztec but way more solid than a 172. You just moved up the feeding chain!

Since my Apache has such a solid feel I assume your Aztec will be even more so. With my little 150 hp motors the Apache needs a lower wing loading to perform but I’m a little envious of the higher wing loading and weight of your Aztec. It should be an even more refined ride!

[Frank]

Frank on June 25, 2021 at 9:17 pm #20762

Eric – Thank you!
The biggest difference I’ve noticed so far for the Aztec vs the 182 is the patience required when making power changes. Perhaps it is the heavier weight of the Aztec. I find that I need to make small changes in manifold pressure and see how those play out. My memory of the 182 is that it reacted faster.

And… the location and direction of the overhead trim. I’m working on it – if the *left* side of the big crank handle is going forward, that’s down trim. And if the *front* of the small wheel is going left, that’s left rudder trim. I have to hunt around for the handle and wheel when flying with instrument foggles!

-Frank.

[Eric Parks]

Eric Parks on June 21, 2021 at 2:49 pm #20757

Congrats Frank! That looks to be a very nice Aztec. When I’m not totally engaged in fixing up my Apache I’ve looked at Aztecs as a possible future upgrade. But for now I’m sticking with my little putt-putt!

75 lbs of documents is hilarious. I think that has me beat with my 1955 bird. Let us know how it works out and what you see as the advantages and disadvantages of going from the 182 to the Aztec!

Eric Parks

[Frank]

Frank on June 20, 2021 at 11:40 pm #20756

Hi All –

I’m a brand-new owner of an F-model Aztec, N78JT. I just sold a 182 that I loved. I was spending a lot of time flying over mountains, or at night, or over dense housing developments, and the thought of losing an engine in any of those environments was weighing on me. I was looking for a docile twin to start my multiengine experience, and the Seneca seemed a good fit. Late-model Senecas with no damage history are rare as hen’s teeth, however, which led me to look at older Senecas, and from there it was a small jump to the Aztec.

The pre-buy was extended and expensive, and even the trip home was extended and expensive (see FlightAware). But as of Friday, the airplane is at my home airport – KSBP – and as a bonus it just fits into my current hangar.

John @ Diamond Aire in Kalispell has been an invaluable resource throughout the pre-buy and the trip home. Wish I would have paid to have the airplane taken to John for the pre-buy. Lesson learned :-).

I’m looking forward to many years of flying. I assume that I will need help from the people here as this is something of a niche aircraft, maintenance-wise and parts-wise.

Fun trivia fact – N78JT came with 75 pounds of paperwork. I weighed it. It has a complete copy of the maintenance manual, printed from the microfiche. And a parts manual. And pilot guides and equipment manuals. And a Frankenstein POH that mixes parts of the original and parts of an official replacement copy. And 43 years of receipts, 337s, AD reports, and 8130s.

Regards,
Frank

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