What is dynamic propeller balancing?
Dynamic propeller balancing is the process whereby an electronic balancing computer is used to measure the vibration produced by the aircraft propeller and powerplant. Small trim balance weights are added to the propeller/crankshaft assembly to correct for errors in mass distribution and thus reduce the measured vibration due to mass imbalance to the lowest level practical. How is it done? The engine/propeller combination is balanced right on the aircraft, in a flight ready state. A small vibration sensor [accelerometer] is attached to the engine in a location where vibration due to mass imbalance is at the maximum, at the crankcase spine as close as possible to the propeller flange. A small tach pickup [photo-tach] is also mounted to the cowl or engine to produce a propeller tach signal. The engine is operated and the vibration and tach signals are processed by the balancing computer. The balancing computer measures the vibration level [magnitude] produced by the accelerometer which c
