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How to Balance a Model Airplane Propeller

Model airplanes can provide endless fun and family entertainment. Many hobbyists enjoy the long hours of painstaking construction and attention to minute detail as much as, if not more than, the actual flying of the plane. All this is for not if the plane won't fly. It is important to pay particular attention to the propeller when diagnosing problems. A properly balanced propeller ensures that your airplane will fly correctly.

Things You'll Need

Felt-tip pen
Fine-grit sandpaper
Blade balancer

Instructions

- 1
  Mark the heavy side of the propeller with a felt-tip pen.
- 2
  Rub the heavy end of the propeller with the sandpaper, avoiding the propeller tip. Sand a little at a time in order to not overdo it.
- 3
  Test the propeller on the blade balancer. Do this by sliding the propeller hole onto the balancer peg. Whichever side dips lower is the one that needs more work.
- 4
  Repeat the process until the propeller stays completely motionless when held in the blade balancer.

Aviation