diff --git a/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/StageSeparationConfiguration.java b/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/StageSeparationConfiguration.java
index 7ccf99901..91b287347 100644
--- a/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/StageSeparationConfiguration.java
+++ b/core/src/net/sf/openrocket/rocketcomponent/StageSeparationConfiguration.java
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ public class StageSeparationConfiguration implements FlightConfigurableParameter
 	private static final Translator trans = Application.getTranslator();
 	
 	
-	private SeparationEvent separationEvent = SeparationEvent.NEVER;
+	private SeparationEvent separationEvent = SeparationEvent.UPPER_IGNITION;
 	private double separationDelay = 0;
 		
 	public SeparationEvent getSeparationEvent() {
diff --git a/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/configdialog/AxialStageConfig.java b/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/configdialog/AxialStageConfig.java
index e932bda52..7c7de6431 100644
--- a/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/configdialog/AxialStageConfig.java
+++ b/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/configdialog/AxialStageConfig.java
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ public class AxialStageConfig extends ComponentAssemblyConfig {
 		if (component.getStageNumber() > 0) {
 			JPanel tab = separationTab((AxialStage) component);
 			tabbedPane.insertTab(trans.get("StageConfig.tab.Separation"), null, tab,
-					trans.get("StageConfig.tab.Separation.ttip"), 2);
+					trans.get("StageConfig.tab.Separation.ttip"), 0);
+			tabbedPane.setSelectedIndex(0);
 		}
 	}