Prop Balance

[201Mooniac]

Anyone have recommendations for a CA prop balancer, either a shop or traveler, bay area is preferred but willing to travel.  I had my prop balanced once since new but it is seeming to not be as smooth as I would hope.  Top Gun didn't have any recommendations for me so I was hoping someone on the list would.  Thanks

[dzeleski]

  On 7/12/2024 at 4:26 PM, 201Mooniac said:

Anyone have recommendations for a CA prop balancer, either a shop or traveler, bay area is preferred but willing to travel.  I had my prop balanced once since new but it is seeming to not be as smooth as I would hope.  Top Gun didn't have any recommendations for me so I was hoping someone on the list would.  Thanks

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A few years old but might still be relevant:

 

[Skates97]

Jim Fackler (discussed in that thread) moved I believe to AZ but still travels to CA a few times a month. Planning on having him do mine after I get the new engine broken in. I've used him twice before, an initial and then again years later after I installed the Powerflow Exhaust. He's great.

[kortopates]

Here is the website for the guy that does the prop balancing and he is really good. wrote the book on it. He’s retiring though so good luck. Also he work out out Cable airport in SOCAL and Arizona, does travel too, came down to San Diego for a couple of us.
www.jfdynamics.com
Cell(626) 818-3029


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[201Mooniac]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the pointers!  Email sent to Jim.

[MikeOH]

Another recommendation for Jim Fackler.  He did my prop just before moving to Prescott.

I'm very glad to hear he still comes to SoCal.  I was willing to fly to Prescott, if necessary.

[201Mooniac]

Thanks, I sent him an email and am waiting for a reply.  I'm willing to fly so if he doesn't't come up here I can head south.

[201Mooniac]

Well sent emails to work and personal email address as well as text message with no response.  Any other recent suggestions for this?  I'm currently going through the other thread to look for suggestions but several I've already checked are no joy.

[Jetrn]

yes, Lee Apaka out of Rio Vista O88. teamlightaviation@gmail.com 707-863-1121.  quick flight from san jose for you.

[201Mooniac]

  On 9/12/2024 at 3:57 AM, Jetrn said:

yes, Lee Apaka out of Rio Vista O88. teamlightaviation@gmail.com 707-863-1121.  quick flight from san jose for you.

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Thanks, I appreciate the recommendation.  I'll give a call.

[RoundTwo]

  On 8/12/2024 at 5:57 PM, 201Mooniac said:

Well sent emails to work and personal email address as well as text message with no response.  Any other recent suggestions for this?  I'm currently going through the other thread to look for suggestions but several I've already checked are no joy.

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I was able to find several balancers here in Georgia by posting in the Georgia Pilots FB group. I assume there’s a similar type of FB group in your area as well.

[201Mooniac]

  On 9/12/2024 at 4:15 PM, RoundTwo said:

I was able to find several balancers here in Georgia by posting in the Georgia Pilots FB group. I assume there’s a similar type of FB group in your area as well.

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Thanks, I don't do FB but I've now gotten several suggestions so I'm sure one will work out.

[birdofjoy]

@201Mooniac did you get yours done? I'm based in KRHV and need to get mine done as well.

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[201Mooniac]

I'm sorry I haven't, too much work travel recently.  I tried Tradewinds but wasn't at all happy with the work.  Savvy recommended Absoute Aero at HWD but I sent them an email while traveling and they never got back to me so it isn't encouraging.  If you find someplace you oare happy with, please let me know.  Also let me know if you'd like to meet up at RHV.

[kortopates]

  On 11/3/2024 at 2:27 AM, birdofjoy said:

@201Mooniac did you get yours done? I'm based in KRHV and need to get mine done as well.

Sent from my motorola razr plus 2024 using Tapatalk
 

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  On 11/5/2024 at 6:01 PM, 201Mooniac said:

I'm sorry I haven't, too much work travel recently.  I tried Tradewinds but wasn't at all happy with the work.  Savvy recommended Absoute Aero at HWD but I sent them an email while traveling and they never got back to me so it isn't encouraging.  If you find someplace you oare happy with, please let me know.  Also let me know if you'd like to meet up at RHV.

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I just spoke with Brandon at Absolute Aero (HWD) - they would be happy to do a dynamic prop balance for you two. They charge $850 flat rate. 

Contact them again, Matt and Brandon there are usually more attentive to email. 

I work with Brandon through Savvy trust you'll be happy with them. 

[201Mooniac]

Paul, Thanks, when I finally get some time from travel I'll try to contact them again.

[birdofjoy]

Thanks for the pirep @kortopates, I'll check them out.

@201Mooniac yeah we should meet sometime there. I met another Mooney pilot at the Gami event too. I think there's at least half a dozen of us at Reid.

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[birdofjoy]

I'm circling back to this thread to say I went to Absolute Aero a few weeks ago and quite enjoyed the service there as well. I basically spent the whole day at the FBO by their facility which was very welcoming. 

My prop was really misaligned at .6 IPS, and they got it down to .04 if I remember correctly. Made a huge difference on a recent 2hr+ XC flight I've done. TLDR get your props rebalanced and - if you're a new owner like me - start doing this at a cadence as well. 

[201Mooniac]

  On 12/14/2024 at 11:28 PM, birdofjoy said:

I'm circling back to this thread to say I went to Absolute Aero a few weeks ago and quite enjoyed the service there as well. I basically spent the whole day at the FBO by their facility which was very welcoming. 

My prop was really misaligned at .6 IPS, and they got it down to .04 if I remember correctly. Made a huge difference on a recent 2hr+ XC flight I've done. TLDR get your props rebalanced and - if you're a new owner like me - start doing this at a cadence as well. 

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Great to hear, now I just need to get my plane back from annual and then get that scheduled.  Thanks for the pirep.  Yes, several Mooneys at RHV but not sure how many.  I wish I knew more of them.

[onegreen]

Replaced the collector on my PowerFlow exhaust this annual. PowerFlow required a prop balance for the warranty. I’m in Reno, and was surprised that a lot of shops don’t do Balancing. Found this thread in my hunt

Called American Propeller in Redding and they referred me to Tracy at Aviation Specialties at Nutree (VCB). He does a flat rate $500 balance

I had Tracy do my C model. There is Owner participation involved , as there were several iterations of runup/test, apply weights, runup/test. It took 5 iteration on mine, before Tracy was satisfied with the results. It was several hours for my 2 blade Hartzel. 3 blades may take longer.

Also, the test sensor gets bolted to the case for the test runs. That means the top cowl and dog house needs to come off.  They are not a Mooney specific shop, so I came prepared to help removing the jigsaw puzzle of the doghouse panels

I was able to fly down, get balance, and still had time to walk over to Fentons for ice cream 

Mark

 

 

 

 

[Fly Boomer]

  On 4/15/2025 at 4:23 PM, onegreen said:

I was able to fly down, get balance, and still had time to walk over to Fentons for ice cream 

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Any perceptible change (in the airplane)?