Balsa stock fins are an unacceptable component for such a high performance rocket. Thin stock fiberglass (.010 or.020) can easily be cut with a scissors and can be attached with CA and reinforced with minimal amounts of epoxy. I understand manufacturers, like Tim, need to keep costs down, but the construction of this rocket needs to be at a "mid-power" level. You folks need to use this equation: ESTES + Rocketvision = Vaughn Brothers. VB nailed the gap between low power and mid power. Their non-minimum diameter kits have TTW fin attachment and use standard low power tubes and mid power motor tubes for airframes. Plus, they have a wide selection of components for scratch building (Estes included). This was important, since Rocketvision parts were non-compatible with other manufactures.

Balsa fins are perfectly fine for this model and others of it's type. As long as it's constructed with decent workmanship and flown with the recommended engines, it will have no problems staying together. If an Enerjet Nike-Ram stayed together under F67's, the Aspire should be fine on an F10.

Construction: Instructions were clear. The Aspire was very easy to build. I've had too many bad experiences with the tri-fold paper shock cord mount. I embedded the Kevlar cord into some Fixit epoxy clay located where the paper mount should go. Since I planned on using E and higher engines, I followed the recommendation to create fin fillets using the Fixit clay. The clay was easy to shape, gave plenty of working time, and required little sanding. I also coated each fin with CA for added strength. Flight: The first flight for my Aspire was on a 35? day with 5 mph wind. I used the 24mm motor adapter and launched on a D12-5. Fast, straight boost with no weathercocking to 1300+ ft altitude. The rocket was nearly out of sight and it appeared that ejection occurred slightly after apogee. While the rocket did descend very fast with the streamer, given the size of the average launch site in western WI, I would hesitate to put a 'chute on this rocket unless a C engine were used and the shock cord were replaced/augmented with elastic to prevent zippering from the Kevlar. The only damage I found was that the Fixit fillets had slightly pulled away from the body tube at the aft end of two fins. This damage was presumably caused by the hard landing. Repair should not be a problem. Next time I get to Bong (it's on the other side of the state, so it will be a while)I am going to try to launch it on the G80 and see if the balsa will hold up to Mach 1. Few rockets at this price offer the engine/performance flexibility of the Aspire. Tim's instructions state that the Aspire was designed with one purpose in mind: To achieve the highest possible altitudes from 29mm composite motors. Given that stated goal, I would say the Aspire is a success.

The Apogee Aspire is a great machine!! I purchased it for sport flying (not competition) and it really moves out. I modified it slightly by actually gluing the 24mm adapter in place. Unfortunately, the chances of actually finding a field big enough to fly this on a 29mm motor are pretty slim so I built it to fly on Estes C11's and the occasional D12 or E15 pass. It worked out great!! First flight last weekend on a C11 and it just ripped of the pad to about 700'. I was really pleased with the performance. And, with the long streamer, it stayed in our small field. Fun, Fun, Fun!! By the way, balsa fins are just fine for this rocket!

Built the rocket quickly for the last day of NYPower X. I used wood glue and some paper reinforcement for the fins, no epoxy. No problems at all with the directions or actual building and all of the components were of good quality. The balsa nose cone was a bit out of true. Decided to go for broke and use a G25-10 for the first flight. Sims to about 5100' with the motor. Because of the wind and the desire to get the rocket back, trimmed half of the streamer away length-wise. After one chuff (which the G25 is known to do) launched the Aspire off the pad. I like long-burn motors and a rocket that you can actually see as it goes up. The Aspire left the pad a bit more quickly that expected, but I was still able to track it. Amazing to watch and listen as the Aspire kept going and going and going... Out of sight for the delay and then a tiny glimmer and puff waaaay up there. Recovered the rocket in great condition minus the nose cone a couple of hundred yards from the pad. A great kit, especially when teamed with the G25!

I scratch built mine mostly from Apogee parts using the RockSim plan as a guide. Apogee parts: NC, BTs, coupler, all 29mm CRs, Fix-it Epoxy clay, and 2" x 56" Mylar streamer. Parts from my stock: Basswood fins, thrust rings & motor tubes for removable mounts, and Kevlar? and elastic shock cord. Painted Red and White just like picture but no stripes or decals. Built 2 removable motor mounts (24mm and 18mm). I like the removable motor mount concept and am using that in more of my rockets. I did not paper the fins but sealed and finished them to a smooth high gloss. Even though this is really just a basic 4FNC, it looks great on the pad and very recognizable--the announcer at the club launch announced it as an "Apogee Aspire" even though I did not put the name down. Flight on C6-5 was a graceful crowd pleaser. I will try bigger motors on a less windy day as I would like to get it back.