Gordon

Unfortunately Phoenix don't have a company web site presence. Just corroborating and embellishing upon the already helpful assistance from Simon and Richard, the following may address a few of your concerns.

I have a Phoenix Comet, Phoenix's predecessor to the Sea Bee and Atlantis. Essentially they are all very similar .46 class entry level pattern models.

Re engine location. Just trial fit your supplied cowl in conjunction with the engine you intend using. That will present you with the engine fore/aft location required for spinner/cowl clearance without modifying the cowl. You'll find that this will result in a C of G location falling within the parameters predetermined by Phoenix with the recommended engine/s unless you have been excessively heavy handed with expoxying the tailfeathers in position. Adding to the sensitivity safety margin, remember that you'll be launching with a full tank of fuel (forward of the CofG) whilst balancing is done at empty tank aka zero fuel weight (ZFW). This will ensure a margin of stability such that during the first minute or two of flight and after you've trimmed her out you consider she might be too sensitive for your liking with fuel burn off, you can land with 6-8 ozs of fuel still remaining, and depending upon the fuel tank size you choose to install, ensuring a CofG still considerably forward of max. aft recommendation. For the record, Phoenix's recommended CofG for the Comet was conservative as intended for the average sport flyer as it is with most ARF manufacturers. eg: World Models Mfg Zen, CMPro/Flair Magpie. Presumably it is similar for the Atlantis? As I found with my Comet, those wanting pattern type responsiveness will frequently prefer a CofG position aft of recommended using rates and expotential in conjunction with CofG to refine and optimise handling and performance.

Re engine offset. Phoenix built in 2 degrees right offset at the firewall for the Comet. 2 degrees looks optically somewhat greater to the Std. Mk. I Eyeball, but measurement with a protracter confirmed it the 2 degrees stated in the assembly manual. My research revealed 1½-2 degrees appears to be the accepted norm for this size and style of model. eg: GP Tracer, Phoenix Comet, CMPro Magpie et al.

If you set up the Atlantis's ZFW CofG within ½" of recommended and ensure all the control surfaces are aligned prior to your initial test flight, apart from some initial minor in flight initial trimming adjustment, your maiden flight should be unremarkable. The Atlantis is as easy to fly as the Comet. It will go where you point it. As a caveat to the easy to fly remark. I don't know if you've flown this style of model before, but in case you haven't you'll find it a piece of cake as long as you keep in mind the following two factors. It's slippery, ie: fast and slow to decelerate in descent or level flight, so you need to plan well ahead to stay in front of (in proper control of) it, and it glides forever at flight idle, particularly if you have any excess speed exacerbated by ground effect. So you need to slow it down early on approach, particularly salient if the location from which you fly necessitates a high approach or is a short field. Both of these models have benevolent low speed approach handling characteristics.

My personal recommendation is that as you'll already be busy enough initially I'd stear away from experimenting with the trim upset activating spoilerons will induce on approach in favour of simply slowing the model down early and stabilising it on long finals if your field is conducive to this? Just a personal cautious preference (KISS) and I appreciate YOE&MMV.

You don't need to glass the wing joint and its a major inconvenience as the wing is pre-covered. Just use good epoxy and the dihedral brace. After assembly I use Scotch or Bear clear all weather tape to seal the external joint (wing bottom) as a precaution to prevent ingress of exhaust residue. If you have your exhaust ducted away with an extension it also shouldn't be a problem with the poor wing saddle seal. As Simon has pointed out, you can address the latter with either some wing saddle tape or a bead of silicon sealant.

The supplied nylon Phoenix engine mounts exacerbate the effect of engine vibration and transmit it to the airframe. Replacing them with something both more rigid and with superior planar alignment will reduce this. eg: Dave Brown, Ernst, Great Planes or Sig nylon mounts

You're gonna' love flying this kite. [8D] Happy landings!

s