The Hobbico SuperStar-EP was one of Sport Aviator’s first review aircraft. It was also the first electric powered RTF basic trainer produced. We liked the original SuperStar-EP, both in its RTF and ARF formats. The original SuperStar-EP review article is still available in the "On The Flight Line Section" of Sport Aviator. The original SuperStar-EP used three channels for flight controls. Throttle was managed by the electronic throttle controller while servos controlled elevator and rudder. There were no ailerons.

From the first publication of this review, model pilots sent in requests about converting this aircraft to aileron roll control. One creative pilot even managed to install ailerons in the SuperStar-EP’s wing. We dutifully forwarded these requests to Hobbico as they arrived. The company must pay attention to its customers’ needs as they have just introduced the new SuperStar-EP with ailerons.

The Aileron equipped SuperStar-EP is currently available only as an ARF kit. But by the time this is published, Hobbico will also have the “Select” version available. In Hobbico’s name scheme, “Select” means the aircraft is a “Ready-To-Fly” complete with installed radio and power system. Actually, even the ARF version features a factory installed motor, but the builder must install the included electronic speed controller.

Except for the wing, both the original SuperStar-EP and the aileron version are identical. Since we already had the original SuperStar-EP three channel aircraft built and flying, we decided just to install the new wing. For complete fuselage and tail construction details, see the original SuperStar-EP article.

 
Photo 1      Photo 2

Phot0 1 shows all the new items designed for the aileron version. Photo 2 shows one of the wing setups and the two different adhesives required for this project. The five, or twelve-minute, epoxy is used to glue the aileron control torque rods into the ailerons and to strengthen the aileron servo tray mount. The wing assembly still utilizes the metal spar/rear pin system of the original “Select” version, so wing construction remains a simple task.

 
Photo 3    Photo 4

The first step is to mount the ailerons. This requires using both adhesives. Since the ailerons are controlled by a center torque rod (factory installed), this torque rod must be installed into the aileron as it is assembled to the wing. You might want to test fit teach aileron first, both hinges and torque rod, without using adhesive.

NOTE: The ailerons have a small taper, on one side only, near the wing tip. This side goes UP so that the aileron tip blends into the wing tip. Once you are ready, re-insert the flexible aileron hinges into their respective slots. Then apply the epoxy into the torque rod hole in the aileron (photo 3). A flat toothpick makes a great epoxy applicator tool.

Then install the aileron onto the wing (Photo 4). Make sure the torque rod is inside its respective hole and all hinges in their slots. It is easy to miss one hinge slot and not notice until too late, so check carefully.

 
Photo 5     Photo 6

Press the aileron tightly against the wing and hold it there. Then check that there is at least a one-half inch movement both up and down. Our wing allowed almost a full inch of aileron movement in either direction, so this should not be a problem. If all checks out, hold the aileron tightly into the wing again, apply full deflection and glue the hinges in place using thin CAA (photo 6). Apply the CAA to both the top and bottom of each hinge. If you have not done this procedure before, read “Installing Mylar Hinges in ARFs” in Sport Aviator’s Flight-Tech Section.

 
Photo 7   Photo 8

Once the ailerons are installed, it is time to build the servo tray for the aileron servo. The tray is just three simple pieces of plywood. First, be sure to gently remove any wood burrs using a file (photo 7). Use a sharp hobby knife to remove any wood burrs or excess factory construction adhesive from the tray mounting points in the wing (photo 8)