The Piper PA-23 Aztec is a 1950s twin-piston that Naples operators keep on the line only as a positioning aircraft or a very budget-sensitive short hop. APF handles it easily; the mission fit in the Naples market is narrow.
Piper produced the Aztec from 1959 (following the earlier Apache) through the mid-1980s, with the PA-23-250 as the most common six-seat variant. Two Lycoming IO-540 piston engines drive the airframe to 180 knots max cruise (150 to 160 knots economy), 970 nautical miles of range, and a 24,000-foot ceiling.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Piston
- Manufacturer: Piper Aircraft
- Year introduced: 1959
- Seating: 5
- Crew: 1
- Range: 970 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 180 knots
- Service ceiling: 24,000 feet
- Length: 31.2 feet
- Wingspan: 37.2 feet
- Height: 10.3 feet
- Baggage volume: 27 cubic feet
Why the Piper PA-23 Aztec Fits Naples
In-Florida short hops out of APF (Naples to Key West, Naples to Palm Beach, Naples to Orlando) are the honest Aztec mission. Cabin comfort is basic and the airframe is old.
For a client’s headline Naples charter (family vacation, member-guest trip, snowbird relocation), the Aztec is the wrong answer; redirect to a King Air, a TBM, or a light jet.
When the Aztec comes up in the Naples market it is usually as a positioning flight or an ultra-value option for a client who has explicitly asked for the lowest possible rate on a short leg. Fair value in that narrow window, but do not promote.
Gallery
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Piper PA-23 Aztec run $1,000 to $1,500 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
Aztec hourly rate is at the absolute low end of the twin-piston class; useful only when a client has explicitly asked for the cheapest possible turbine-adjacent short leg.
Other Pistons Available
- Beech Baron 58
- Beechcraft Baron G58
- Cessna 340
- Cirrus SR-22
- Piper Aerostar 600
- Piper Cherokee Six PA-32
Contact
For a quote on a Piper PA-23 Aztec charter in or out of Naples, head to our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.