T' Aura was me first rocket from LOC/Precision and I would consider it their entry level kit considerin' t' size, matey, me hearties, ease o' build and price. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! It is a basic three-fin-and-a-nose-cone (3FNC) kit with a 29mm motor mount. 

Although t' kit comments indicate that t' "kit is recommended for those with previous model rocketry buildin' experience", it is a very easy kit t' assemble. Blimey! T' experience is required due t' limited illustrations in t' instructions and probably due t' t' 29mm motor option.

T' kit includes a plastic nose cone, me hearties, me hearties, a section o' body tube, matey, 3 pre-cut plywood fins, motor mount materials, matey, a launch lug and t' recovery system.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' kit comes in a plastic bag with an insert displayin' a picture o' t' Aura and t' specifications. Avast, me proud beauty! On t' back o' this 4x11" insert are t' instructions. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! There are only two small illustrations. One showin' t' aft view and another cut-away showin' t' side view motor mount and fin alignment. Avast! Blimey! T' instructions are straight forward and in a logical order allowin' t' builder t' assemble this straight-forward 3FNC rocket.

For ease o' assembly and alignment, ya bilge rat, t' fin lines and launch lug lines are pre-drawn on t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Blimey! A nice touch. touch. Avast! This and t' simplicity o' t' rocket make it go together quickly. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey! LOC recommends usin' epoxy (6 or 20 minute) and I used 15 minute.

T' recovery system is assembled from its own set o' instructions. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! It consists o' a length o' braided nylon cord which is knotted at both ends, matey, and knotted with a 1" loop in t' center. Aye aye! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' two knotted ends are taped t' t' inside o' t' body tube with t' knots on t' far side o' t' tape. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Then it is coated with epoxy t' completely cover t' tape and t' knots. Begad! Blimey! T' top o' t' nylon with t' 1" loop sticks out o' t' top o' t' rocket and is used t' tie t' elastic shock-cord to.

T' motor mount consists o' a 29mm tube and two centerin' rings. Blimey! Begad! T' kit relies on friction fit for motor retention. Begad! retention. Ya scallywag! Well, me bucko, blow me down! I added a piece o' sprin' steel (from an old windshield wiper blade) t' make a retention hook just like an Estes kit.

Finishin' was also quick, by choice, since it was two days before NARAM-40 and this rocket was goin' along. Ahoy! I used Plasti-Kote primer for sealin' and filling. Avast! I then painted t' entire rocket with some left-over red paint, then masked and added silver paint.  I lastly hit it with clear coat. Ya scallywag! Aura does nay come with any decals so t' finish is entirely up t' you.

Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 3 points.It is easy t' build and therefore similar t' many other 3FNC rockets. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' instructions were clear and t' addition o' t' shock-cord instructions ensure a successful attachment. Begad! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! It would be nice t' see a decal with t' name o' t' rocket and a positive motor retention system.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

T' Aura is a bit deceptive. Begad! Begad! Its size and looks may make observers think it is an Estes-type kit weighin' in at 2 - 3 ounces. Well, blow me down! However, with t' motor this kit weighs in around 12 ounces.

T' Aura be launched at NARAM-40, matey, as planned, arrr, on an EconoJet F20-7. Begad! Out o' sight flight, arrr, with simulation indicatin' greater than 3800 feet. Aye aye! Aye aye! It came down very fast as t' nylon streamer was spinnin' and wrappin' itself up. It landed only 50 feet from t' pad it was launch from. Upon inspection, arrr, arrr, one fin had broken completely off takin' all o' t' epoxy bonded areas with it.

Later I tried usin' t' streamer from t' Aura on an Aerotech Mustang, matey, only t' find t' same type o' rollin' and tanglin' on its way down. Blimey! Maybe it be all t' humidity, me bucko, but t' streamer did nay seem effective.

T' fin comin' off may be somethin' t' watch out for, arrr, ya bilge rat, me bucko, because I have read several posts on RMR regardin' t' Aura indicatin' t' same thing. Aye aye! Aye aye! I think usin' t' technique o' pin holes along t' alignment line would be recommended. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I use a variation t' this technique by usin' a hobby knife t' cut 1/4" slits across and perpendicular t' t' alignment line, ya bilge rat, me hearties, spacin' them about 1/4" apart. This allows t' epoxy t' flow into t' body tube and gives it better hold. Blimey! This was done when reattachin' t' fin.

After replacin' t' fin, I flew t' Aura on an Aerotech RMS E23-5T. Begad! Simulation indicates that it should fly t' about 1550 feet. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! It be a beautiful launch and very straight flight. Aye aye! Watchin' it arc and start t' scream toward t' earth was nay expected though. though. Begad! Neither be it slammin' into t' ground somewhere out o' sight and nay t' be found. Total loss included t' $20 rocket, matey, t' $35 casing, t' $14 parachute (I should have had that streamer in there) and t' time t' get this rocket ready t' fly.

T' meanin' o' Aura is:

                 1.a distinctive and pervasive quality or 
                       character; air; atmosphere: an aura of 
                       respectability.
                  2.a light or radiance claimed t' emanate 
                       from t' body and t' be visible to 
                       certain individuals with psychic or 
                       spiritual powers.
                  3.a sensation, as o' a glowin' light or an 
                       aroma, me bucko, precedin' an attack o' migraine 
                       or epilepsy.

I think t' 3rd definition be appropriate considerin' t' migraine that ensued after realizin' t' "cost" o' that flight. Ahoy! O' course it was nay a rocket design or kit issue.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this kit 3 points.T' streamer seems t' be t' main issue and because RMR postings indicated experiences o' losin' a fin and then it happened t' me, matey, thar be probably reason t' consider its recovery system as t' reason. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Also, matey, motor retention would be a bonus.

Overall, this kit is easy t' build and is a nice flyer which can give very high altitudes. Begad! Consideration on fin attachment and streamer usage will need t' be taken by t' modeler. Arrr! Begad! I give t' kit an OVERALL ratin' o' 3 point