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build a powered plane. Following Curtiss design features they were assisted by a local Japanese reserve military officer, S. Doi, who owned and operated a curio shop on Van Ness Avenue. A 2-cylinder opposed air-cooled 25-30 H.P. DETROIT aero motor was installed in the plane which, when completed, was taken to a coursing park in the Ingelside area of the city for tests. Bonnalie made the first flight tests of the plane but, being both overweight and under powered, it was capable of only limited straightaway hops. As soon as Doi succeeded in hopping the plane, he packed it up and shipped it to Japan where it became one of the first planes in that country.

Following this Bonnalie obtained some additional flying practice in a locally owned Farman-type plane powered by a Ford automobile engine. Prior to World War I, Bonnalie and Bradley were in partnership in the design and building of five aeroplanes, including a flying boat.

In 1916 Bonnalie was employed by the Gorham Engineering Company.

In April, 1917 he made application for enlistment in the Aviation Section, Signal Corps, U.S. Army but was rejected due to his being underweight. Later he was accepted and assigned to the School of Military Aeronautics, University of California at Berkley where the 8-week course was taught by Early Bird Waldo Waterman. Upon completion of the course Bonnalie was one of ten sent to the headquarters of the Signal Corps at Bedloes Island, New York. There they joined ground school graduates from other schools and on August 13th, 1917 he was one of sixty men to sail from New York for overseas assignments. Arriving in Liverpool the group was sent to Oxford University for further training. 

In May, 1918 Bonnalie was assigned to the 211th Squadron, Royal Air Force. In early September he was transferred to the 108th Squadron, the later that month was detached from the RAF and assigned to the final Bombing School of the United States Air Service at Clermont Ferrand. While with the RAF Bonnalie was decorated by the British with the Distinguished Service Order, the highest decoration awarded an American officer at that time, and was also awarded the United States Army Distinguished Service Cross. 
After the Armistace [[Armistice]] of World War I Bonnalie was attached to the staff of 

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