For (2) years that I owned Avistars, I always got away with using (8) bands. I just refinished an AeroStar-40 (see my gallery!) and nearly lost the wing just being pushed around by the wind (15-20 that day!). I now run (12) bands and that seems to be about right. Of course, if I had bothered to read the instruction manual I would have known that all along!

If you want to be really safe, there is nothing wrong with using 10 bands. Do the 1st (8) front to back, the last (2) crisscross to make sure the first (8) don't vibrate off. Pre-stretch your rubber bands once or twice before attaching. It is better to find a bad rubber band on the ground than in the air!