MSFT-1
Well Known Member
A couple weeks ago I did a write-up on my trip to Hartzell Propeller in Piqua, OH. After Hartzell did the necessary repair, they asked if I wanted the propeller dynamically balanced. The cost was about $250 and the mechanic that worked on my plane said it was well worth the money.
I had them do it.
Basically they use a piece of test equipment and a set of sensors to figure out where on the spinner bulkhead to add weight. Before balancing they did a run-up test for about 1 minute and determined that my prop was at 1.7 IPS (whatever that means). They added a small weight in the proper location and redid the test and then proclaimed that I was now at .45 IPS. They seemed very pleased with this.
The whole process took about an hour.
I wondered if I would even notice the difference.
It is AMAZING how much smoother the airplane feels. I could tell the difference immediately. Without a doubt, this was money very well spent. I guess it makes sense that it would be a big difference since there is a big hunk of metal out there turning at 2300 RPMs. Feeling (flying) is believing.
Bruce
N297NW
RV-8
I had them do it.
Basically they use a piece of test equipment and a set of sensors to figure out where on the spinner bulkhead to add weight. Before balancing they did a run-up test for about 1 minute and determined that my prop was at 1.7 IPS (whatever that means). They added a small weight in the proper location and redid the test and then proclaimed that I was now at .45 IPS. They seemed very pleased with this.
The whole process took about an hour.
I wondered if I would even notice the difference.
It is AMAZING how much smoother the airplane feels. I could tell the difference immediately. Without a doubt, this was money very well spent. I guess it makes sense that it would be a big difference since there is a big hunk of metal out there turning at 2300 RPMs. Feeling (flying) is believing.
Bruce
N297NW
RV-8