The Piper PA-23 Aztec is a rugged light piston twin for Puerto Rico short hops from San Juan (SJU) and Isla Grande (SIG), seating five with 970 nautical miles of range. It handles island and coastal legs with the load-carrying the type is known for. A durable, forgiving twin.
Piper built the Aztec from 1959, and it earned a reputation for hauling useful loads off short strips, cruising near 180 knots up to about 24,000 feet. Simple, tough systems keep it in service.
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 Puerto Rico
From Puerto Rico the Aztec fits the light twin trip that values load and short-field ability: San Juan or Isla Grande to Culebra, Vieques, or a small regional field. Ruggedness is its calling card.
For economical island runs out of SJU with a few passengers, the Aztec is a proven piston twin.
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.
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 Puerto Rico, call +1-888-987-5387 or 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.