Tuesday, February 09, 2010   
Untitled Document


Bonnie 20 ARF Electric Trainer
Author: Bob Aberle   |  Added: 5/25/2004
E-Mail this Article to a Friend

For Printable Version
Click Here
Acrobat Reader is Required
 << Previous Page  |   Next Page >>
Page 1 : Introduction  

HOBBY LOBBY INTERNATIONAL

BONNIE-20

(ARF ELECTRIC POWERED RC ADVANCED TRAINER)

By Bob Aberle, Technical Editor (Model Aviation)




Several months back I reviewed the Hobbico “SUPERSTAR-EP” (SS-EP) for the benefit of RC beginner pilots at the entry level in our hobby. The SS-EP is an electric powered ARF, or an RTF in the select version, RC trainer model aircraft that weighs about three pounds, uses an inexpensive ferrite motor, and an equally inexpensive 3-channel RC system which provides control of the rudder, elevator and throttle. The SS-EP review article was directed to the RC beginner who may have never before experienced a model aircraft. You can find the SS-EP article elsewhere in Sport Aviator’s “On The Flight Line” Section.

As soon as the SS-EP review was published, comments began coming in about adding to the SS-EP’s performance. Can I add aileron control in addition to rudder and elevator? Can I convert the SUPERSTAR-EP to a tricycle landing gear, two main wheels, plus a steerable nose wheel? Can I substitute a better motor and controller (ESC)? Can I convert from the recommended Ni-CD or NiMH batteries to the new Li-Poly batteries in order to reduce weight and obtain longer motor run times? Obviously, more than just very new beginner pilots enjoyed the SS-EP article.

All of these questions could have been answered by making a series of modifications to the basic SUPERSTAR-EP. But the thought came to my mind that assembling an all-new aircraft, that had all of these features already designed in, was the better way to go. While the SS-EP is a fine, basic electric trainer, adding an extra aileron servo plus linkage, additional landing gear weight and a heavier motor would subtract from its performance rather than enhance it.

There are not many 4-channel, electric powered RC trainers available. But Hobby Lobby International has just introduced the new “BONNIE-20” which is an electric-powered version of today’s conventional glow-powered trainers. Although designed for electric power, the Bonnie may also be flown with a glow-fueled engine in .20 to .32 cu.in. size range.


A Great Electric-Powered Advanced Trainer

The BONNIE-20 probably should not be your very first RC model aircraft. A 3-channel function model (rudder, elevator and motor control), like the SUPERSTAR-EP would be better for your very first model aircraft experience. The BONNIE-20 is more of an advanced trainer. With it you can learn to do some of the basic aerobatic maneuvers that require aileron control, such as Rolls, Cuban-Eights, “Split-S” turns and the like.

Because the BONNIE wing has very little dihedral (wing tips lifted at an upward angle), there is not a lot of “built-in” stability you would get from a wing with more dihedral. The BONNIE will tend to drop off on one side or the other. In other words, one wing tip may become lower than the other. When that happens you apply opposite aileron to level the wing. You must remain alert to level the wing during maneuvers. With proper aileron trim applied, the amount of correction required is slight.

The Bonnie is an ARF kit, not a RTF. Therefore you will need to supply everything except the basic airframe. Photos 1A shows some of the items you will need including a 4-channel radio system plus two 12-in. servo extension wires, motor, propeller, spinner and battery pack. Photo 1B shows a closer view of the AXI 2820-10 brushless motor and the Jeti 40-3P brushless ESC (throttle), which has a battery eliminator circuit (BEC) built in. The BEC allows the motor battery to power the on-board radio system as well.

 
Photo 1A    Photo 1B

Back to Top
<< Previous Page  |   Next Page >>



 

This page, and all contents, are Copyright © 1995-2008 by the Academy of Model Aeronautics Inc., Muncie, Indiana. The Sport Aviator Logo, the AMA Wings & Torch, the AMA Education logo and the Museum Seal are trademarks of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. All rights reserved. | Privacy Statement