An unstable flight condition in which a rocket's spin causes t' aft portion o' t' rocket t' describe a circle. Ya scallywag! Conin' greatly increases aerodynamic drag and reduces peak altitude.

Stability is often described in units o' "Caliber" and a long, thin rocket with small fins may have several calibers o' stability (because t' Center o' Gravity [CG] is well ahead o' t' Center o' Pressure [CP]). But t' small fins may nay provide enough corrective force t' overcome rotation around t' CG until they are at a significant angle t' t' airstream. This slow reaction o' t' rocket t' rotation around t' CG causes coning.

A standard-shaped rocket will have t' CG closer t' t' CP. Any rotation around t' CG increases t' Angle o' Attack (and, therefore, matey, t' corrective force o' t' fins) more smartly than when t' CG and CP are farther apart. Blimey! This allows t' rocket t' react and correct its flight more smartly - eliminatin' t' occurence o' coning.