| 2150 Kachina | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Varga 2150A Kachina atMcClellan-Palomar Airport California in January 2008 | |
| Role | personal, primary trainer Type of aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Morrisey, Shinn, Varga |
| Designer | William J. Morrisey |
| First flight | 1958 |
| Developed from | Morrisey Nifty |
TheVarga 2150 Kachina is an American all-metal, low-wing, fixed-gear, two-seat light aircraft fitted with a tricycle undercarriage.
In 1948, American aircraft test pilot/aircraft designerW.J. Morrisey produced a wood-and-fabric light aircraft, the1000C (Nifty). In 1958 he reworked that basic design, giving it an all-metal structure and increased power. The aircraft is a cantilever low-wingmonoplane with plain ailerons and two-position trailing-edge flaps, conventional empennage, fixed nosewheel landing gear, and tandem seating. Dual controls are provided as standard equipment.
In 1958 The Morrisey Aviation Inc. company began building the re-designed aircraft. Two units were completed as theMorrisey 2000.[1] A further improvement came with theMorrisey 2150, incorporating a 108 hpLycoming O-235 engine. The company built nine aircraft by the end of 1959.[2]
The construction and design rights were then sold to Shinn Engineering Inc. which built 35 improvedShinn 2150A aircraft with a 150 hp (110 kW)Lycoming O-320-A2C engine, before ceasing production in 1962.[3]
The 2150A design rights were sold in 1967 to used aircraft parts supplier George Varga who formed theVarga Aircraft Corporation. TheVarga 2150A Kachina was built atChandler, Arizona between 1975 and 1982. 121 2150A Kachinas were completed together with 18 examples of theVarga 2180 with a 180 hpLycoming O-360-A2D engine. A tailwheel option was available as theVarga 2150TG.[3][4]
Bill Morrisey later re-acquired the design rights and then launched a kit version of the original Morrisey 2000C.
The Morrisey/Shinn/Varga 2150 remains in widespread use in the US and several aircraft are flown in Europe and South America.[2]
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982-83[6]
General characteristics
Performance
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
