A piston aircraft is the smallest aircraft we arrange, and for a trip involving Aruba it only suits short legs with one or two passengers.
Piper introduced the PA-23 Aztec in 1959. It seats 5 with a published range of 970 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 180 knots. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 24,000 feet and 27 cubic feet of baggage volume.
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 Aruba
With 970 nautical miles of published range, it covers trips between Aruba and destinations such as San Juan, allowing for reserves and routing. Every trip to Aruba is international, so each passenger needs a valid passport and completes Aruba’s online ED card before traveling.
For an aircraft in this class, a trip from the mainland usually includes one or more fuel stops, and on the island every private flight uses Queen Beatrix International in Oranjestad. The runway an aircraft needs is calculated by the operator for that day’s conditions, and your advisor confirms it with the operator before the trip is booked.
How Aruba Clients Use the Piper PA-23 Aztec
Piston aircraft are for short flights with one or two passengers and very little luggage. Most seat two to five, and the distance between Aruba and the mainland is beyond what most clients want to do in one.
Tell us where you are flying from, who is coming and what they are packing, dive gear and golf clubs included, and your advisor will tell you whether this aircraft fits or suggest one that suits the trip better.
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.
- 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
- Estimated hourly rate: $1,000 to $1,500 (as of 10/2026)
Other Pistons Available
Contact
For a quote on a Piper PA-23 Aztec charter to or from Aruba, call an advisor at 1-888-987-5387, or send the trip through our contact page. You can read how we review operators and crews on our safety page, and compare other categories in the aircraft gallery.
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. All images copyrighted and provided courtesy of Piper Aircraft, Inc. unless noted otherwise.