Hi Gordon,

1. Couldn't find the URL for Phoenix anywhere, sorry.
2. I didn't use any glass to join the wing, just 24 hr epoxy with some glass shaving (GP sells bottles of the stuff) to provide some extra strength. There is also a dihederal brace that fits between both wings which I am sure you have noticed, you would want to be sure to use this.
3. I put in approx 1 degree of r thrust and think this is about right. One of my issues has been the aircraft yawing to port when pulling straight up from level. One of the serious pattern guys suggested that my elevator halves are slightly out of alignment and that this is probably causing the problem. I have now adjusted and will check when I fly the plane next.
4. By sealing the wing mount I mean ensuring there is no gap between the wing and fuse, while I couldn't really see a gap I was getting fuel in the fuse via the wing mount. Putting a bead of silicon around the edge has fixed this. I have also sealed the hole in the firewall through which the fuel lines pass with silicon to prevent fuel ingress here as well.

Best of luck, I'm sure you will enjoy the model.

Simon

Thanks, Simon.

Gordon

Could you please help - how far is the front of the engine thrust washer forward from the firewall? Are you measuring from the port or starboard mounting beam?

Thanks in advance!

cheers
gordon

Hi Gordon,

I'm at work so haven't got the plane in front of me. I have an 46FX in the plane and I recall that the back of engine sits about 30-40mm in front of the firewall. I test fitted it initially and then just moved it back and forth a bit to where it seemed right. I don't think the distance is that critical as long as you balance the plane after fitting the engine.

Simon

Hi Simon,

thanks again for your invaluable advice. I think I am pretty much set to complete the assembly! First flight will probably be the weekend after this. Will let you know the outcome of your guidance. I also found a way to set my radio to spoileron - it's call Air Brake in Futaba radio.

You have a nice flying weekend ahead1

cheers,
gordon

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

Peter's just put the results up on the QPA site, literally ...a few minutes ago. Congratulations on 2nd place Simon. Nice effort particularly in rounds 3 & 4. What happened in round 2?

I saw the C2k entrant list. Reluctantly, unforseen committments prevented me registering, participating or even spectating last weekend, though I hope to join you on the local Sportsman circuit in the new year.

cheers
s

Hi s,

Thanks for all your excellent advice on the Phoenix range, some good thoughs here. I do get vibration in my plane and I might just take up your advice on replacing the engine mounts.

Yes at Coolum rounds 3 & 4 were good while 5 & 6 were badly effected by wind. The 0 in round 2 was actually the first flight of the day and due to a flat Tx battery - my error!!

Would be great to meet you on the Sportman's circuit next year.

Simon

Thank you for your notes, s.

Weather permitting, shld b doing its maiden flight today, with CofG slightly fore at the moment. Will probably move it aft later on.

The only complaint during building is that the covering kept coming loose. Had to get self adhensive color film to stick them back - more weight :-(.

Hi folks,

Just wanted to let you know the results of all your input - none was wasted. My Altantis flew superbly today!

With only a little trimming on my tx, the plane did very well - completed loops without aileron correction required, rolled straight like an arrow, snapped, hammerhead turned (left n right). It was really great !!!

My heartiest thanks to all who provided guidance, advice and input.

Happy flying to all!

cheers
Gordon

I've just bought the new Atlantis. I've noticed the following modifications as compared to the first version:

1-Wing servos hiden in the wing.
2-The wing is position higher in the fuselage. So a belly pan is added to the wing to fit the fuse.
3-Many formers were added to the fuselage to reinforce the tail.
4-The wing bottom cover color is orange.

My first impresion is ,this version is heavier than the original. Posibly will be tail heavy. I can't tell how much yet.

Has anyone flown the new Atlantis ?.

Hi all,

Test flew my Atlantis today and very happy with the result. OS50sx, Pull Pull on rudder, 15gm in tail to set CG@130, will add more weight as confidence grows, I will in the future change elevator to pull pull, but the standard setup worked fine, no flutter.

On Take off no dramas a couple of clicks left Ail and up elev, hands off and away we went. Landing was the same, a couple of low passes and first attempt and I was on the ground. The Atlantis isn't as slippery as first thought, it will slow up quite well with a slow sink rate to landing.

Started off with a APC 12x7 and thought it wasn't revving out, put the tacho on and resulted in a 9200rpm top end..ummm to slow i think... then tried a APC 12x4 that brought it back up to 12500rpm it was a lot better.. but i think a pipe and an increase from 10% to 15% nitro might help.

But that will be all down the track as I advance with this plane.

If anyone else has any setup or performance stories gained from flying experience. I'm sure we would all love to hear about them.

Cheers

Rippah

Good info guys! I just ordered the Atlantis last night without knowing anything about it.....just couldn't pass it up for $85usd!

How does it perform with the .46/.50 engines? I was thinking about putting the new Magnum xls .52a 2stroke on mine........Hobby People has them on sale through April 23 for $79usd. Does anyone have the wing span and length measurements?

Thanks for all the tips,
Gary

Gary, the Magnum 52 xls is a good engine it will work fine with your atlantis

What does this plane look like? Anyone have pics?

Try this site. They seem to have a good selection of Pheonix models and Seagull models. Which are probably produced by the same mfgr.

[link]http://www.singahobby.com/[/link]

JUST GOT MY SEA BEE TODAY TO A LOOK AT IT AND IT LOOKS PRETTY NICE REAL UGLY DUMMY PILOT THOUGH LOOKS LIKE THE DUMMY PILOT IS CONSTIPATED JIJIJI,THE SEA BEE KINDA LOOKS LIKE THE HOBBICO SPECTRUM BUT WITH MUCH MORE TAIL AND WING SURFACE.I READ SOME OF THE THREADS ON THIS PLANE & EVERY BODY SEEMS TO AGEE THAT THA CLEVIS'S ARENT VERY GOOD I CAN RELATE TO THAT CAUSE I HAD A SPECTRUM AND A STARFIRE AND THE CLEVIS'S ON BOTH THOSE PLANES ARE NOT VERY GOOD THEY LOOK REALLY CHEAP,ON MY STAR FIRE WICH I LOST IN A CRASH ON BEHALF OF THE ELEVATOR CLEVIS'S SO ON MY SPECTRUM I CHANGED THE CLEVIS'S FOR THE DUBRO METAL CLEVIS'S WICH WORKED GREAT BUT I STILL LOST MY SPECTRUM ON THE MAIDEN FLIGHT FAULTY RECIVER.I HOPE I DONT LOSE THIS SEA BEE SHURE WISH I COULD CHANGE THE DUMMY PILOT IT'S REALLY UGLY BUT SINCE THE CANOPY CAME PRE-INSTALLED I'D HATE TO REMOVE IT JUST FOR THE DUMMY PILOT ,I GUESS I'LL JUST LEAVE EM THERE JUST MOUNT MY RADIO EQIUPMENT ON AND AN EVO-.45 AND SEE HOW IT FLIES

Hi,

I know this is an old thread.

Whats the difference between the Phoenix models Atlantis and Sea Bee.

Is the Atlantis the latest model design.