June 2020 | Stockton Propeller

One of the most enjoyable things to love about air flight is the sensation of being free of the ground and gliding smoothly through the air. The last thing you want to be thinking about when flying your airplane is an aircraft propeller overhaul. Your focus should be on the experience of flight and those enjoying it with you.

Unwanted vibrations can ruin the feeling of freedom and make flying less pleasant for both the pilot and any passengers. Vibrations can result in discomfort as well as the loss of revenue in the case of commercial pilots hoping for repeat passengers. Unwanted vibrations can result in passengers feeling unsafe and taking actions such as leaving negative reviews or taking their business elsewhere.

Vibrations from the aircraft propeller can also have an impact on cargo in the plane as it is shaken and shifts during flight. Vibrations could cause fragile cargo to break, or essential parts of the aircraft damaged over time. Improperly balanced aircraft propellers can drive up maintenance costs.

Aircraft propeller static balancing after the initial point of manufacturing the plane is typically done during aircraft propeller overhaul. Stockton Propeller is a full-service maintenance facility that can help you with your propeller overhaul or any other needed maintenance.

What is Aircraft Propeller Static Balancing?

Aircraft propeller static balancing at a basic level ensures that the propeller is moving evenly through the air as it rotates. When conducting the balance, each propeller blade is weighed to make sure that it weighs the same as all of the others. Each part of the propeller weighing the same ensures that gravity will affect each part of the propeller evenly as it rotates through the air.

An uneven weight distribution during rotation will cause the propeller to vibrate. Even if the pilot or passengers of the plane cannot feel the vibrations themselves, the vibrations can have an impact on the engine. Pilots may accept vibrations as merely a part of the way in which the airplane’s engine works.

Pilots should consider having a static propeller balancing conducted prior to feeling any vibration. Pilots may not be able to notice any vibration or notice any changes that develop over time. Performing a static propeller balancing can avoid future maintenance issues.

How is an Aircraft Propeller Static Balance Done?

When professionals at a place like Stockton Propeller conduct a static propeller balance during an aircraft propeller overhaul, they remove the propeller from the aircraft. Then the propeller is mounted on a device called a mandrel, which allows the propeller to spin freely.

A properly balanced propeller should be able to move quickly. According to Bellwood Rewinds Limited, if turned slightly after a static balance is done, an object should stay in that location. This process is done the same way very much as tire balancing on a vehicle.

In an improperly balanced propeller, the weighty spot will be pulled by gravity downward. This allows the maintenance facility to discover unbalanced areas and fix them. Weights are added or subtracted from the area of the propeller hub nearest to the misbalanced propeller blade, which corrects the imbalance.

After the Propeller Static Balance is Completed

Once a propeller is evenly balanced, the maintenance staff will conduct what is known as a “blade track.” Each of the propeller’s blades path through the air is tracked and monitored. Workers mark where the blade tip passes an object, such as a track pointer or a spot on the wall. A properly tracking propeller should have each blade passing at the same location. Even a difference of 1/16th of an inch is too far.

If a propeller blade is out of track, then the “angle of attack” will be slightly different from the others when flying. This different angle can cause vibrations due to it moving through the air in a different path. A propeller that is out of alignment can mean that it was damaged, an issue which should be investigated further.

The Difference Between Static and Dynamic Propeller Balancing

Aside from static propeller balancing, which should always be performed, there is another common type of propeller balancing– dynamic propeller balancing. Although not absolutely necessary, dynamic balancing “fine tunes” the balance.

Even small imbalances that are not noticeable to the pilot can cause damage to components such as instruments, radios, cowling and baffles and reduces the efficiency of the propulsion system. Unlike static propeller balancing, dynamic propeller balancing is conducted while the engine and propeller are in motion.

Sensors are attached to the engine and propeller and run through the full range of RPMs. As this is done, the sensors are analyzed for possible vibrations. The technology can recognize and determine how much weight needs to be added or subtracted.

In a dynamic propeller balancing the technician should have proper training and the equipment must be in good working order and clean.Errors or inaccurate data can result from this. These errors can lead to the weight being added or taken away from the wrong location on the propeller and increase the potential for damage.

In static propeller balancing, the evidence of a proper balance can be seen in the movement of the propeller and that when rotated, it will remain in place. Doing both can produce high-quality results. Pilots should be sure to conduct research before they decide on a maintenance facility to best suit their needs.

Where to Turn for Aircraft Propeller Static Balancing?

When you are looking for a maintenance facility to perform your aircraft propeller overhaul, it is important to select a company with the experience and expertise to conduct all of your needs. Stockton Propeller is a full-service propeller overhaul and maintenance facility with the needed equipment and expertise to perform your propeller balance.

Whether it is done as a part of an aircraft propeller overhaul or because you feel an unwanted or unusual vibration, an aircraft propeller static balance is an important piece of your maintenance plan.

For those learning about the principles of aerodynamics, this article seeks to cover some of the basics. Like how does a propeller work on a plane, and what are the four forces of flight.

Aircraft are complex machines. Each part must work together not only to propel it forward but also to overcome gravity for it to fly. The four forces of flight include thrust, weight, lift, and drag.

If you are concerned that there is an issue with your propeller and want to have a propeller overhaul to optimize the aerodynamics, contact Stockton Propeller. Stockton Propeller is a full-service propeller overhaul and maintenance facility with the needed equipment and expertise to perform your needed maintenance and repairs.

Thrust

One crucial component of an airplane’s aerodynamics is the force of thrust. The propulsive force created by the propeller or rotor works to counteract the effects of two of the other four forces of flight — weight and drag.

Your airplane’s propeller generates thrust by utilizing the principle of Newton’s Third Law. Newton’s Third Law states that for every action, there will be an equal and opposite reaction. A propeller or jet engine pushing air to the rear will have the effect of moving the plane forward unless some other force halts it.

The plane’s propeller will push enough air past it to cause the aircraft to move in the opposite direction of this force. The propeller must work with a high level of efficiency to provide the necessary thrust for takeoff and flight.

The amount of thrust needed will change throughout the flight. As explained below, the weight of the plane’s propeller is just one component of weight to overcome.

You must also accommodate the mass of the fuel needed to power the propeller flight. As the flight continues, fuel is consumed. As the fuel is consumed, its mass is reduced. As mass is reduced, less thrust is needed.

Weight

Another of the four forces of flight is weight. Weight is the force caused by gravity.

This weight includes not only the aircraft itself, but also the mass of the cargo, fuel, pilot, and any passengers. Increased weight means that the aerodynamic forces of thrust and lift must also increase.

In propeller flight, the weight of the propeller itself must be accounted for in the mass calculations. Also, weigh or estimate the weight of all cargo, fuel, passengers, and anything else loaded onto the aircraft.

If this weight is not accurately determined, it will affect the plane’s performance. It will also result in miscalculating the fuel volume needed for the flight, and even the plane’s ability to take off safely.

If the plane cannot generate enough lift and thrust to compensate for the weight, then some weight must be removed. To reduce the excess load, replace materials with stable, yet lighter materials, or carry fewer passengers and less cargo.

Drag

Drag is a rear-facing force caused by the disruption of airflow over the wing, fuselage, and other components of the plane. The force of drag must be overcome through the forward momentum of the aircraft. To reduce drag, you may also need to alter the design of the aircraft.

Think about the comparative wind resistance of something like a paper airplane vs. a cup held concave side toward the airflow. The pointed shape of the paper airplane allows the air to flow smoothly over its surface and wings.

On the other hand, the cup will catch the air and not allow it to flow past. Catching or trapping the airflow will result in much more drag. The plane’s shape will allow the air to continue in the direction it was initially flowing without much interruption.

When questioning how does a propeller work on a plane, consider the concept of drag resulting from all aspects of the aircraft. Examine the surface of the plane, as well as the position and shape of the propeller. Optimize the propeller blades to create the least amount of drag possible while creating enough power to propel the plane.

Lift

According to NASA, lift “is the force that directly opposes the weight of an airplane and holds the airplane in the air.” Every component of the airplane works together to counteract the effect of gravity on the plane.

Even with an efficient propeller, a plane in propeller flight would not fly if the rest of the aircraft was not designed to generate lift.

Lift is a complex and often misunderstood principle. Lift is the force produced by the changes in air pressure above and below the aircraft components, most specifically the wings.

For lift to take place, a fluid or gas: in this case, the air around the plane is required. In addition to a fluid or gas, you also need a solid to deflect the flow — the airplane wings, flaps, ailerons, among others. The fluid or gas must also be in motion.

In order to understand how does a propeller work on a plane, you need to put the fluid in motion by propelling the aircraft through it. Planes cannot take off without being powered to generate this initial forward momentum.

The curved shape of the wing creates lift by making the air move faster across the top of the wing and lowering the air pressure. This reduced pressure results in less force pushing down on the wing while maintaining an upward force under the wing, creating lift.

How Does a Propeller Work on a Plane to Optimize the Forces of Flight?

The propeller, coupled with the engine, is what produces enough thrust to move a plane forward. Once the plane is moving forward, the remaining four forces of flight combine to provide the necessary lift to get the aircraft in the air.

These aerodynamic forces of flight, all working optimally together, result in an efficient and safe voyage.

If your propeller is not operating as efficiently as needed to optimize thrust, contact Stockton Propeller. Stockton Propeller is a full-service propeller overhaul and maintenance facility that can assess your plane and perform any necessary maintenance.

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