SAN JOSE, California USA — Rouse-Tech is excited to announce the release of a new product to the high power rocketry community. It's a precision manufactured fin can assembly for installation on four inch airframe tubing. It comes in both a three and four fin configuration.

SLIDESHOW: Rouse-Tech's new three and four fin aluminum fin canisters.

"This was a fun project take from conception to finished product. I wanted the ability to build a minimum diameter rocket and use light weight material," Rouse-Tech owner Tom Rouse said.

This is really an evolution of the ARLISS rocket that has worked so well over the last ten years with no problems.  Removable, light weight, thin and strong aluminum fins was key. Its great to have the option of breaking down the rocket for transport and storage to protect it from damage. "Another nice feature," Rouse added, "is when a hard landing takes place and damage results, its merely a matter of replacing a fin instead of trashing the entire airframe/fin assembly."

The fin cans can be purchased in a three or four fin configuration depending on the designer's needs. Its the only fin can assembly that has that option. The fins have a generous 16 inch root chord length and span of 4.75" which gives the rocket designer the ability to design longer rockets for dual deployment and rockets for higher speeds.

All parts are machined from high quality aluminum and are shipped with a black anodized finish. Each order includes almost everything you need for installation including stainless steel button head screws for attachment. Epoxy is not included.

Information on the new fin cans is now posted on the Rouse-Tech website.

While you're there, don't forget to visit the "Motor Matrix" page which lists the Rouse-Tech motor hardware and shows a detailed list of each Aerotech re-load that is used in each size. John Coker of Thrust Curve.org has graciously produced the software necessary for clicking on each re-load and having it take you directly to the ThrustCurve.org site for that particular motor! Try it. Thanks to John for that wonderful tool.   

Website: http://www.rouse-tech.com/

06-27-2008 09:56 PM  #1
Edrowe TRA3532   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies So where can one find pricing? I don't see any prices on the Rouse Tech website for the new fin cans. -Ed

06-27-2008 10:14 PM  #2
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2959	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Looks like the link to the order form is missing. Nice product. Some assembly required.

06-27-2008 10:20 PM  #3
Tom Rouse Certified Level One   Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 15	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Hi Ed- Sorry for that. The order form is supposed to be there. I guess a link is missing. We worked on the site prior to the release, but I guess that page fell through the cracks! I'll contact the "webster" and have it corrected. Retail pricing is - 3 fin set- $164.00 4 fin set- $189.00 It should be working soon, so stay tuned.......

06-27-2008 10:40 PM  #4
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1257	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Oops. Are these based on work by Irvine and Gillette? I am tuned.

06-28-2008 12:40 AM  #5
Tom Rouse Certified Level One   Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 15	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Hi Jerry- Irvine and Gillette? Tell me more. Inquiring minds want to know......

06-28-2008 04:52 PM  #6
Art Upton Space Cowboy   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 91	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Hi Tom, If I already have 8 Arliss fins, what is the price for the fin can binder for a four fin setup?

06-28-2008 11:47 PM  #7
Bexclent Certified Level Two   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 94	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: Hi Jerry- Irvine and Gillette? Tell me more. Inquiring minds want to know...... Jerry has, at some point in time, invented and tried everything having to do with HPR!

06-29-2008 09:04 AM  #8
beharri Certified Level Two   Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 56	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Nice! Looks like a strong possibility for my L3 project. Bruce

06-29-2008 11:14 AM  #9
H_rocket Certified Level Three   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 552	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Would aluminum fin cans be permissible in a certification attempt?

06-29-2008 11:31 AM  #10
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2959	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Me wondering the same. Certainly its a bounce on NAR as fin cans are disallowed (even tho assembly is required,it's still prefab). It would be IMO difficult to justify under TRA exception as necessary to withstand flight stresses, as how many L3 flights really would require aluminum. Now having said all that, I seem to remember hearing or reading about a cert that used an Al fincan, for the life of me where, cannot say.

06-29-2008 12:17 PM  #11
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3551	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies You mean the ALL-aluminum L3 certification rocket of Dr. Mike Reiner of Dr. Rocket fame? We were discussing the rocket and use of aluminum in a thread on removeable fins for high power rocketry. The practice was "approved" by an edict after-the-fact from the Tripoli president at the time. I editorialized about the use of metal in a post on that thread. But, you are seeing the use of aluminum more and more in high power rocketry and not much is being said, by anyone, outside of that one farmer at Argonia who has caused all aluminum at LDRS, if approved, to be painted a non-aluminum color. The hobby is maturing, and if the use of aluminum in airframes is alright, they need to open up the safety codes a bit more and put it writing. Otherwise, states that have adopted NFPA fire codes can point at your creation and say you are breaking the law. And we all know what breaking the law means, don't we? "Would you like a plea bargain or trial with that arrest, sir?"

06-29-2008 02:08 PM  #12
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1257	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: Jerry has, at some point in time, invented and tried everything having to do with HPR! Was that statement sarcastic or literal? I would say not "everything", but close. I did ask a simple yes/no question. While I did not get a straight answer I did see a lot of posturing. Interesting. It seems the "ARLISS" fins are actually "Blacksky Optimal 150 fins". That would make them a Scott Bartel creation. These seem similar except instead of being attached directly to the airframe like on the Blacksky Optimal 150, they are attached to fin can rings which does add complexity, cost, turbulation, OD, drag, and a certain visual appeal. I am at least trying to add value to the conversation. I invite others to do so as well. Just Research Jerry http://www.blacksky.com/ http://www.jcrocket.com/arliss2000.shtml

06-29-2008 02:36 PM  #13
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2959	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Well the initial post suggested inspired by Irvine and Gillette led me to reach the same conclusion, ie you were at least claiming credit indirectly. The fin planform is so common as to defy any efforts at original intellectual property. Anyone with RS or VCP et al and some time on their hands will likely end up with something similar as their is no penalty in Cp for sweeping the trailing edge while providing dual benefits of reducing the overall surface area and impact vulnerability. Look at reiners fins, either of the AT kits (Arreux or Mustang), many of the Performance Rocketry, Wildman, etc kits as well. For the record, Tom seemed open minded re your suggestion that there might be an earlier inspiration and only invited more info. He openly attributed credit to the arliss concept in the original product announcement. That was my read at least.

06-29-2008 11:03 PM  #14
Tom Rouse Certified Level One   Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 15	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Hi Art- The fins for the 4 inch rockets are different than the fins used in the ARLISS rockets. In the Fin Can manual (online at the website) I have the fin measurements posted, for those who might want to model a rocket in RocSim. The ARLISS rockets are 6 inch diameter and use different fins. Although, they have the same hole patterns. Are you asking me to make a 6 inch fin can assembly for your 6 inch fins? If so, thats a TOUGH one. Machining those aluminum rings into the thin wall is difficult. It "sings" from the vibration and is almost impossible for me to machine on my lathe. I can have them made at the professional machinists, but its not cheap unless there is a volume order. They're not an easy part to make. As Jerry said, the original ARLISS fins were indeed BlackSky. They were smaller and had a different shape/geometry which we decided to replace with the current fins. Having aluminum fins is permissible under TRA rules. The rocket Darryl posted in an earlier message, was made by Mike Reiner. It featured an aluminum fin can with fins that threaded onto the aft motor closure. There was no airframe as the motor was the airframe. On the top of the motor, the forward closure had threads to accept the aluminum payload bay which was basically a motor tube with a smooth forward section. This smooth section was for the aluminum nosecone. It was an all aluminum rocket. I remember a discussion on the TRA BOD regarding this years back, but I can't remember the outcome. In fact, I bought one from Mike, and launched it at a BALLS launch years ago. It crashed. The fins are real small and near max Q, the shock wave "blanketed" the fins and it corkscrewed and came apart. Jerry- Are you saying that you and Gillette "invented" fin cans and Scott Bartel took the idea from you? Who invented the nosecone? Tom

06-29-2008 11:34 PM  #15
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1257	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: 1. Machining those aluminum rings into the thin wall is difficult. It "sings" from the vibration and is almost impossible for me to machine on my lathe. 2. Having aluminum fins is permissible under TRA rules. 3. I remember a discussion on the TRA BOD regarding this years back, but I can't remember the outcome. 4. The fins are real small and near max Q, the shock wave "blanketed" the fins and it corkscrewed and came apart. 5. Jerry- Are you saying that you and Gillette "invented" fin cans and Scott Bartel took the idea from you? 6. Who invented the nosecone? 7. Tom 1. A custom extruded tube eliminates OD/ID machining, singing and reduces machining to tapers and cutoff. If there is a product life measured in years, the value is immediately experienced. 2. No. "necessary metal parts". Aluminum fins are clearly NOT necessary metal parts. How do I know? Your own report in #4!!!!!!! I declare you an expert. 3. Don't ask, don't tell. 4. (a) use 4 fins not 3. (b) have a span 1.5x the diameter independent of shape and a root 2-3x diameter. Or not. 5. You are implying it and you are the source of that claim. BTW in that particular regard you suck. I see dead people. 6. Cave men? Von Karman? The Germans? Heck if I know. Probably the Chinese. I take that as a rhethorical question with an accusational preface. See #5. 7. Uncle. Just Jerry Cites: http://v-serv.com/usr/images/o3500-2.jpg http://v-serv.com/usr/images/o3500-0.jpg http://v-serv.com/usr/images/o3500-1.jpg

06-29-2008 11:37 PM  #16
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2959	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Who invented the nose cone? Probably Da Vinci at some point, who JI was in a past life (just teasing there Jerry). Tom, Re: the fins, I don't know that anyone is arguing that they are "illegal, but only that according to the current rules, can be used only when stresses justify nothing less. Not saying I agree, but if I were a rules Nazi, one would have a hard time convincing me that CF plate or other composite materials couldn't be used instead for any L3 flight conceivable. Any safer? Anyone planning to cert with this should clear it with their TAP's first is the bottom line.

06-30-2008 09:03 AM  #17
Bexclent Certified Level Two   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 94	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: Was that statement sarcastic or literal? It was both due to my dry sense of humor (which doesn't translate well in written form.) Sarcastic because you remind us every chance you get that you have "been there, done that," and literal due to the fact that you really have "been there, done that" and are a walking cornucopia of rocket knowledge. No harm was meant.

06-30-2008 10:27 AM  #18
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3551	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: It was both due to my dry sense of humor (which doesn't translate well in written form.) Sarcastic because you remind us every chance you get that you have "been there, done that," and literal due to the fact that you really have "been there, done that" and are a walking cornucopia of rocket knowledge. No harm was meant. Jerry has indeed been there and done that on many things, and he does hold a vast wealth of information that could be beneficial to others who are yet to get there. That's the good thing. The bad thing is that the constant reminders are like Chinese water torture, which occasionally crosses over into waterboarding. I have been exposed to the drip...drip...drip for so long, I hardly even hear that there's a leak anymore. But a newcomer, the exact person who could benefit from the wealth of knowledge, might not be as lax or sedentary or as easily distracted as I am, and may blow a fuse listening to the incessant waterfall, then leave and never come back. That would be really sad.

06-30-2008 12:09 PM  #19
R2K Certified Level Three   Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 245	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Is a 25 lbs fiberglass or CF rocket going to do all that much more or less damage depending on the fin material? The thing will still go through a car either way.

06-30-2008 12:54 PM  #20
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1257	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: Jerry has indeed been there and done that on many things, and he does hold a vast wealth of information that could be beneficial to others who are yet to get there. That's the good thing. The bad thing is that the constant reminders are like Chinese water torture, which occasionally crosses over into waterboarding. I have been exposed to the drip...drip...drip for so long, I hardly even hear that there's a leak anymore. But a newcomer, the exact person who could benefit from the wealth of knowledge, might not be as lax or sedentary or as easily distracted as I am, and may blow a fuse listening to the incessant waterfall, then leave and never come back. That would be really sad. Every post is a monologue. You do your monologue and I will do mine. I find it ironic indeed your modern posts drift toward my "philosophies" despite railing against them so harshly in the past. Monologues working. Darrell "evolving". Unfortunately based on your insightful and accurate posts in the arrest thread you are evolving to the same understanding of a bad and worsening situation I did a decade ago or more. I at least tried to abate it within TRA/NAR/NFPA/IEAS/ROL/rmr/RP/TRF channels. That failed and I admit it. Just Jerry

06-30-2008 01:38 PM  #21
Chris Pearson New Member   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 5	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Bexclent said "Jerry has, at some point in time, invented and tried everything having to do with HPR!" To which Jerry replied: "I would say not "everything", but close." Come now Jerry, you're being much too modest. The truth is, that Jerry not only invented HPR but the entire hobby of model rocketry. However, Vern and Harry conspired together and stole it from him! The really incredible thing about it was he did it while still in the womb! He was, at the same time, working on the theory of quantum mechanics, which would have gotten him a Nobel Prize, but Stephen Hawking stole that one from him!

06-30-2008 01:43 PM  #22
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2959	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies And don't forget the former lives as Da Vinci, Einstein, and God.

06-30-2008 02:50 PM  #23
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2959	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: Is a 25 lbs fiberglass or CF rocket going to do all that much more or less damage depending on the fin material? The thing will still go through a car either way. But methinks the holes would have different shapes.

06-30-2008 03:33 PM  #24
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3262	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies The topic has drifted a bit... Does anyone know why the NAR L3 requirement 2.1b disallows fin cans. It seems odd that a flier is allowed to use a kit - but cannot scratch build (or kit build) and use a prefab fincan. What is needed is a history lesson...

06-30-2008 04:37 PM  #25
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2959	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Only a guess--Nar wants to verify you can attach 3 fins in a sturdy fashion. So if you cert on a can and build whatever next time, you don't have a small cruise missile thrashing among spectators.

06-30-2008 04:43 PM  #26
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1257	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: Bexclent said "Jerry has, at some point in time, invented and tried everything having to do with HPR!" To which Jerry replied: "I would say not "everything", but close." Come now Jerry, you're being much too modest. The truth is, that Jerry not only invented HPR but the entire hobby of model rocketry. However, Vern and Harry conspired together and stole it from him! The really incredible thing about it was he did it while still in the womb! He was, at the same time, working on the theory of quantum mechanics, which would have gotten him a Nobel Prize, but Stephen Hawking stole that one from him! Here comes Chris Pearson and his gross overstatements in attempt to sling mud. How about just sticking with the facts. There are things I did, there are things you did, there are things you did to support what I did, there are things I did to support what you did, then there is a bunch of posturing blather that is grossly counterproductive. Like that post. Just Jerry

06-30-2008 04:47 PM  #27
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3262	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: Only a guess--Nar wants to verify you can attach 3 fins in a sturdy fashion. So if you cert on a can and build whatever next time, you don't have a small cruise missile thrashing among spectators. I guess... but if I buy a kit from Hawk Mountain or Performance Hobbies or BSD or Polecat and they slot the tube and it's TTW construction there isn't a lot more work involved. A little - but not a lot. The amount of focus on the fincan seems a little misplaced here. If it were me and I was the RSO and we were handing out Brad's Certs I would prefer to see a scratch build using a fincan over a kit - but that's a personal bias. I like the idea of removable fins for transport and this fits that requirement.

06-30-2008 05:01 PM  #28
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2959	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Preachin' to the choir. But in fairness, I see some danger in making L3 an ARF proposition. Let the Arfers do R/C.

06-30-2008 05:11 PM  #29
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3551	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: Every post is a monologue. You do your monologue and I will do mine. I find it ironic indeed your modern posts drift toward my "philosophies" despite railing against them so harshly in the past. Monologues working. Darrell "evolving". A few things, Jerry, just to make a quick point. Yes I am evolving, and freely admit that in the past I was railing more against you than your philosophies. There it is, out in public. So it is possible to evolve as you point out. Can I ask you to evolve too? In that, I mean, it is my intention to provide a news service for hobby rocketry product manufacturers, so when posting a response to a news article about a manufacturer's products, could you (and you others) just limit your response to the merits of that particular product? You can discuss history and other philosophies anywhere else on the forums you wish, but I am asking you all to help me keep the comments on news articles about the product being discussed. It is a disservice to the community if the comments on every product posted turns into a maelstrom of septic sludge. Quote: Unfortunately based on your insightful and accurate posts in the arrest thread you are evolving to the same understanding of a bad and worsening situation I did a decade ago or more. Life has a way of teaching us that. Most people don't care until it happens to them. Quote: I at least tried to abate it within TRA/NAR/NFPA/IEAS/ROL/rmr/RP/TRF channels. That failed and I admit it. Ok. I have tried things before that failed, but I find it tiresome to sit around discussing why they failed. Or to continually point out that I tried. My friends tire of it quicker than I do. So I have learned to keep my experiences nearby, out of sight, so I can relate to them when making current decisions on how to approach a situation. My experiences manifest themselves in different actions today. You don't know what failure spawned my action, you just know I am doing something differently. All of my failed experiences still bother me, but they no longer bother others. I am told that is preferential to me bringing it up constantly.

06-30-2008 05:18 PM  #30
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1257	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies I will endeavor to increasingly honor "thread integrity". In my mind when I post those sorts of things I am posting germain examples of past events that shed light on current events. History repeats itself sort of thing. I will endeavor to minimize the rant on top of example. Lord knows I have posted most of them already. Just Jerry

06-30-2008 05:27 PM  #31
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3551	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Jerry, I thank you.

06-30-2008 07:39 PM  #32
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3262	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: Preachin' to the choir. But in fairness, I see some danger in making L3 an ARF proposition. Let the Arfers do R/C. TLA alert TLA alert... ARF? Acute Renal Failure was the first hit on google...

06-30-2008 08:19 PM  #33
heada Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 922	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies ARF = Almost Ready to Fly?

06-30-2008 08:26 PM  #34
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1257	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: Jerry, I thank you. RP is a great resource, a first read. You simply need 100-1000 times as many readers. I heard a commercial on the radio today asking folks to keep an eye out for illegal fireworks, sparklers, and ROCKETS, that the consequences are a felony and that the listener should contact code enforcement immediately. For most people that translates to 911. To the "benefactors" of that call-in, that means a plea bargain. Just Jerry

07-01-2008 12:46 AM  #35
SpartaChris Certified Certifiable   Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 127	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: I guess... but if I buy a kit from Hawk Mountain or Performance Hobbies or BSD or Polecat and they slot the tube and it's TTW construction there isn't a lot more work involved. A little - but not a lot. The amount of focus on the fincan seems a little misplaced here. If it were me and I was the RSO and we were handing out Brad's Certs I would prefer to see a scratch build using a fincan over a kit - but that's a personal bias. I like the idea of removable fins for transport and this fits that requirement. Really, what's the difference between scratch building vs. building a kit for a cert attempt? Scratch building means that you either have the money to buy pre-fabbed parts or you have access to tools, a place to use them and knowledge on how to use those tools. It doesn't mean you know your rocket any more or less than someone who builds from a kit. You still have to answer the same questions on construction design and materials, CG/CP relationship, motor selection, recovery and descent rate, etc. Personally, I would rather see someone use a kit for their cert than use a pre-assembled fin can. With a kit, you still have to plan ahead for the motors you are going to fly, so you have to decide what kind of stress the rocket is going to be under, what kind of re-enforcements will be needed, etc. Using a pre-built fin can eliminates all of that and just really dummies down the process in my mind. It basically allows someone to just slap together a rocket that will be able to take most any commercial motor available without having to give it any real thought. Don't get me wrong, it's a neat product, but I wouldn't want to see something like this used for a cert attempt. It almost seems like cheating to me. I know, it's hypocritical since I don't mind someone using a pre-fabbed nose cone for a cert, but allowing a pre-fabbed fin can just cheapens the accomplishment in my view.

07-01-2008 01:06 AM  #36
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1257	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Any arbitrary rule for a power defined certification attempt is silly. But then I feel any certification attempt above, fly an H fly HPR, is silly. I am under the un-mistaken impression the HPR safety code saves us from hazards, of all types, at all places. at all times. Period. I only say that extreme thing because, so far, to date, in 30+ years of expereince it is true. With stupid and unfiltered people participating too. Sometimes a safety code is BETTER than a regulation or a law. This is one instance. Just Jerry

07-01-2008 08:17 AM  #37
DumasBro2 I Felta Thi Frat Boy   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 263	Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies To me a fin can is no different than a kit. Some people just like to fly and aren't into building. If their knowledge allows them to choose the best components to build a strong rocket with minimal construction time, more power to them. Show them the secret handshake.

07-01-2008 08:32 AM  #38

UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3262

Re: Rouse-Tech announces new aluminum fin canister assemblies Quote: To me a fin can is no different than a kit. Some people just like to fly and aren't into building. If their knowledge allows them to choose the best components to build a strong rocket with minimal construction time, more power to them. Show them the secret handshake. Yes! That's my point. I know what I said about kits vs. scratch may rub some the wrong way - I'm not advocating that a kit isn't ok for certification BTW. I just think that either approach is not terribly different. You have to know something about the rocket and there is a lot more to a rocket than the fins. With an L3 rocket you are also talking about electronics and airframe stress. Oh, and Jerry's point about reduced complexity of certification process is well taken. I'm on the fence on this - on th