diff --git a/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/FlightConfiguration.java b/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/FlightConfiguration.java
index 70f645ab1..8e65f29c7 100644
--- a/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/FlightConfiguration.java
+++ b/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/FlightConfiguration.java
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ public class FlightConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter<FlightCo
 	final protected HashMap<Integer, StageFlags> stages = new HashMap<Integer, StageFlags>();
 	final protected HashMap<MotorConfigurationId, MotorConfiguration> motors = new HashMap<MotorConfigurationId, MotorConfiguration>();
 	final private Collection<MotorConfiguration> activeMotors = new ArrayList<MotorConfiguration>();
+	final private InstanceMap activeInstances = new InstanceMap();
 	
 	private int boundsModID = -1;
 	private BoundingBox cachedBounds = new BoundingBox();
@@ -101,6 +102,7 @@ public class FlightConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter<FlightCo
 		
 		updateStages();
 		updateMotors();
+		updateActiveInstances();
 	}
 	
 	public Rocket getRocket() {
@@ -121,12 +123,14 @@ public class FlightConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter<FlightCo
 			cur.active = _active;
 		}
 		updateMotors();
+		updateActiveInstances();
 	}
 
 	public void copyStages(FlightConfiguration other) {
 		for (StageFlags cur : other.stages.values())
 			stages.put(cur.stageNumber, new StageFlags(cur.stageNumber, cur.active));
 		updateMotors();
+		updateActiveInstances();
 	}
 	
 	/** 
@@ -137,6 +141,7 @@ public class FlightConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter<FlightCo
 	public void clearStage(final int stageNumber) {
 		_setStageActive( stageNumber, false );
 		updateMotors();
+		updateActiveInstances();
 	}
 	
 	/**
@@ -163,6 +168,7 @@ public class FlightConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter<FlightCo
 			_setStageActive(i, true);
 		}
 		updateMotors();
+		updateActiveInstances();
 	}
 	
 	/** 
@@ -174,6 +180,7 @@ public class FlightConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter<FlightCo
 		_setAllStages(false);
 		_setStageActive(stageNumber, true);
 		updateMotors();
+		updateActiveInstances();
 	}
 	
 	/** 
@@ -196,9 +203,11 @@ public class FlightConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter<FlightCo
 		if ((0 <= stageNumber) && (stages.containsKey(stageNumber))) {
 			StageFlags flags = stages.get(stageNumber);
 			flags.active = !flags.active;
+			updateMotors();
+			updateActiveInstances();
+			
 			return;
 		}
-		updateMotors();
 		log.error("error: attempt to retrieve via a bad stage number: " + stageNumber);
 	}
 
@@ -286,21 +295,22 @@ public class FlightConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter<FlightCo
 		return toReturn;
 	}
 
+	public InstanceMap getActiveInstances() {
+		return activeInstances;
+	}
+	
 	/*
 	 * Generates a read-only, instance-aware collection of the components for this rocket & configuration
 	 * 
 	 *  TODO: swap in this function for the 'getActiveComponents() function, above;  ONLY WHEN READY / MATURE! 
 	 */
-	public InstanceMap getActiveInstances() {
-		InstanceMap contexts = new InstanceMap();
-		getActiveContextListAt( this.rocket, contexts, Transformation.IDENTITY);
-		return contexts;
+	private void updateActiveInstances() {
+		activeInstances.clear();
+		getActiveContextListAt( this.rocket, activeInstances, Transformation.IDENTITY);
 	}
 
 	private InstanceMap getActiveContextListAt(final RocketComponent component, final InstanceMap results, final Transformation parentTransform ){
-		final boolean active = this.isComponentActive(component);
-		if (!active)
-			return results;
+
 		final int instanceCount = component.getInstanceCount();
 		final Coordinate[] allOffsets = component.getInstanceOffsets();
 		final double[] allAngles = component.getInstanceAngles();
@@ -314,9 +324,11 @@ public class FlightConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter<FlightCo
 			final Transformation angleTransform = Transformation.getAxialRotation(allAngles[currentInstanceNumber]);
 			final Transformation currentTransform = componentTransform.applyTransformation(offsetTransform)
 				.applyTransformation(angleTransform);
-			
-			// constructs entry in-place
-			results.emplace(component, active, currentInstanceNumber, currentTransform);
+
+			// constructs entry in-place if this component is active
+			if (this.isComponentActive(component)) {
+				results.emplace(component, this.isComponentActive(component), currentInstanceNumber, currentTransform);
+			}
 
 			for(RocketComponent child : component.getChildren()) {
 				getActiveContextListAt(child, results, currentTransform);
@@ -401,6 +413,7 @@ public class FlightConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter<FlightCo
 		
 		updateStages();
 		updateMotors();
+		updateActiveInstances();
 	}
 	
 	private void updateStages() {
@@ -531,6 +544,7 @@ public class FlightConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter<FlightCo
 	public void update(){
 		updateStages();
 		updateMotors();
+		updateActiveInstances();
 	}
 	
 	///////////////  Helper methods  ///////////////
@@ -604,35 +618,12 @@ public class FlightConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter<FlightCo
 				}
 
 				for (InstanceContext context : contexts) {
-					/*
-					 * If the instance is not active in the current context, then
-					 * skip the bound calculations. This is mildly confusing since
-					 * getActiveInstances() implies that it will only return the
-					 * instances that are active, but it returns all instances and
-					 * the context indicates if it is active or not.
-					 */
-					if (!context.active) {
-						// break out of per-instance loop.
-						break;
-					}
-
 					componentBounds.update(instanceBounds.transform(context.transform));
 				}
 			} else {
 				// Legacy Case: These components do not implement the BoxBounded Interface.
 				Collection<Coordinate> instanceCoordinates = component.getComponentBounds();
 				for (InstanceContext context : contexts) {
-					/*
-					 * If the instance is not active in the current context, then
-					 * skip the bound calculations. This is mildly confusing since
-					 * getActiveInstances() implies that it will only return the
-					 * instances that are active, but it returns all instances and
-					 * the context indicates if it is active or not.
-					 */
-					if (!context.active) {
-						continue;
-					}
-
 					Collection<Coordinate> transformedCoords = new ArrayList<>(instanceCoordinates);
 					// mutating.  Transforms coordinates in place.
 					context.transform.transform(instanceCoordinates);
diff --git a/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/InstanceContext.java b/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/InstanceContext.java
index 2e7da00f9..e781182c8 100644
--- a/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/InstanceContext.java
+++ b/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/InstanceContext.java
@@ -26,9 +26,8 @@ public class InstanceContext {
 		return component.hashCode();
 	}
 
-	public InstanceContext(final RocketComponent _component, final boolean _active, final int _instanceNumber, final Transformation _transform) {
+	public InstanceContext(final RocketComponent _component, final int _instanceNumber, final Transformation _transform) {
 		component = _component;
-		active = _active;
 		instanceNumber = _instanceNumber;
 		transform = _transform;
 		
@@ -48,7 +47,6 @@ public class InstanceContext {
 
 	// ==== public ====
 	final public RocketComponent component;
-	final public boolean active;
 	final public int instanceNumber;
 	final public Transformation transform;
 	
diff --git a/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/InstanceMap.java b/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/InstanceMap.java
index 36cc79e8a..1538e69aa 100644
--- a/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/InstanceMap.java
+++ b/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/InstanceMap.java
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ public class InstanceMap extends HashMap<RocketComponent, ArrayList<InstanceCont
 			put(key, new ArrayList<InstanceContext>());
 		}
 
-		final InstanceContext context = new InstanceContext(component, active, number, xform);
+		final InstanceContext context = new InstanceContext(component, number, xform);
 		get(key).add(context);
 	}
 
diff --git a/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/util/TestRockets.java b/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/util/TestRockets.java
index cf61a013a..632b36a63 100644
--- a/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/util/TestRockets.java
+++ b/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/util/TestRockets.java
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@ import net.sf.openrocket.simulation.listeners.SimulationListener;
 import net.sf.openrocket.startup.Application;
 
 public class TestRockets {
-	
 	public final static FlightConfigurationId TEST_FCID_0 = new FlightConfigurationId("d010716e-ce0e-469d-ae46-190f3653ebbf");
 	public final static FlightConfigurationId TEST_FCID_1 = new FlightConfigurationId("f41bee5b-ebb8-4d92-bce7-53001577a313");
 	public final static FlightConfigurationId TEST_FCID_2 = new FlightConfigurationId("3e8d1280-53c2-4234-89a7-de215ef5cd69");
@@ -1705,30 +1704,32 @@ public class TestRockets {
 
 		// find the body and fins
 		final InstanceMap imap = rocket.getSelectedConfiguration().getActiveInstances();
-	    for(Map.Entry<RocketComponent, ArrayList<InstanceContext>> entry: imap.entrySet() ) {		
-			RocketComponent c = entry.getKey();
+		RocketComponent c = null;
+	    for(Map.Entry<RocketComponent, ArrayList<InstanceContext>> entry: imap.entrySet() ) {
+			c = entry.getKey();
 			if (c instanceof TrapezoidFinSet) {
-				final TrapezoidFinSet fins = (TrapezoidFinSet) c;
-				final BodyTube body = (BodyTube) fins.getParent();
-				body.removeChild(fins);
-				
-				// create a PodSet to hook the fins to
-				PodSet podset = new PodSet();
-				podset.setInstanceCount(fins.getFinCount());
-				
-				body.addChild(podset);
-				
-				// put a phantom body tube on the pods
-				BodyTube podBody = new BodyTube(fins.getRootChord(), 0);
-				podBody.setName("Pod Body");
-				podset.addChild(podBody);
-				
-				// change the number of fins to 1 and put the revised
-				// finset on the podbody
-				fins.setFinCount(1);
-				podBody.addChild(fins);
+				break;
 			}
 		}
+		final TrapezoidFinSet fins = (TrapezoidFinSet) c;
+		final BodyTube body = (BodyTube) fins.getParent();
+		body.removeChild(fins);
+		
+		// create a PodSet to hook the fins to
+		PodSet podset = new PodSet();
+		podset.setInstanceCount(fins.getFinCount());
+		
+		body.addChild(podset);
+		
+		// put a phantom body tube on the pods
+		BodyTube podBody = new BodyTube(fins.getRootChord(), 0);
+		podBody.setName("Pod Body");
+		podset.addChild(podBody);
+		
+		// change the number of fins to 1 and put the revised
+		// finset on the podbody
+		fins.setFinCount(1);
+		podBody.addChild(fins);
 
 		return rocket;
 	}
diff --git a/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/figure3d/RocketRenderer.java b/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/figure3d/RocketRenderer.java
index c6aef258e..d144ef2c5 100644
--- a/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/figure3d/RocketRenderer.java
+++ b/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/figure3d/RocketRenderer.java
@@ -85,21 +85,19 @@ public abstract class RocketRenderer {
 			if (ignore != null && ignore.contains(comp))
 				continue;
 
-			if( geom.active ) {
-				final int hashCode = comp.hashCode();
-
-				selectionMap.put(hashCode, comp);
-
-				gl.glColor4ub((byte) ((hashCode >> 24) & 0xFF),  // red channel (LSB)
-							  (byte) ((hashCode >> 16) & 0xFF),  // green channel
-							  (byte) ((hashCode >> 8) & 0xFF),  // blue channel
-							  (byte) ((hashCode) & 0xFF));  // alpha channel (MSB)
-
-				if (isDrawnTransparent(comp)) {
-					geom.render(gl, Surface.INSIDE);
-				} else {
-					geom.render(gl, Surface.ALL);
-				}
+			final int hashCode = comp.hashCode();
+			
+			selectionMap.put(hashCode, comp);
+			
+			gl.glColor4ub((byte) ((hashCode >> 24) & 0xFF),  // red channel (LSB)
+						  (byte) ((hashCode >> 16) & 0xFF),  // green channel
+						  (byte) ((hashCode >> 8) & 0xFF),  // blue channel
+						  (byte) ((hashCode) & 0xFF));  // alpha channel (MSB)
+			
+			if (isDrawnTransparent(comp)) {
+				geom.render(gl, Surface.INSIDE);
+			} else {
+				geom.render(gl, Surface.ALL);
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -186,7 +184,6 @@ public abstract class RocketRenderer {
 
 			for(InstanceContext context: contextList ) {
 				Geometry instanceGeometry = cr.getComponentGeometry( comp, context.transform );
-				instanceGeometry.active = context.active;
 				treeGeometry.add( instanceGeometry );
 			}
 		}
@@ -196,19 +193,15 @@ public abstract class RocketRenderer {
 	private void renderTree( GL2 gl, final Collection<Geometry> geometryList){
 		//cycle through opaque components first, then transparent to preserve proper depth testing
 		for(Geometry geom: geometryList ) {
-			if( geom.active ) {
-				//if not transparent
-				if( !isDrawnTransparent( (RocketComponent)geom.obj) ){
-					renderComponent(gl, geom, 1.0f);
-				}
+			//if not transparent
+			if( !isDrawnTransparent( (RocketComponent)geom.obj) ){
+				renderComponent(gl, geom, 1.0f);
 			}
 		}
 		for(Geometry geom: geometryList ) {
-			if( geom.active ) {
-				if( isDrawnTransparent( (RocketComponent)geom.obj) ){
-					// Draw T&T front faces blended, without depth test
-					renderComponent(gl, geom, 0.2f);
-				}
+			if( isDrawnTransparent( (RocketComponent)geom.obj) ){
+				// Draw T&T front faces blended, without depth test
+				renderComponent(gl, geom, 0.2f);
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/figure3d/geometry/Geometry.java b/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/figure3d/geometry/Geometry.java
index 4c4b9df62..41554e575 100644
--- a/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/figure3d/geometry/Geometry.java
+++ b/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/figure3d/geometry/Geometry.java
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@ public abstract class Geometry {
     public final Object obj;
     public final Transformation transform;
     
-    public boolean active;
-    
 	public abstract void render(GL2 gl, Surface which );
 	
 	private Geometry() {
diff --git a/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/scalefigure/RocketFigure.java b/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/scalefigure/RocketFigure.java
index ab3330a0b..5275d8ad0 100644
--- a/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/scalefigure/RocketFigure.java
+++ b/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/scalefigure/RocketFigure.java
@@ -378,11 +378,7 @@ public class RocketFigure extends AbstractScaleFigure {
 
 			for(InstanceContext context: contextList ) {
 				final Transformation currentTransform = this.axialRotation.applyTransformation(context.transform);
-				
-		        // generate shape for this component, if active
-		        if( context.active ) {
-		        	allShapes = addThisShape( allShapes, this.currentViewType, comp, currentTransform);
-		        }
+				allShapes = addThisShape( allShapes, this.currentViewType, comp, currentTransform);
 			}
         }
 	}