What must be done to the remaining blade(s) if a blade of a metal propeller is shortened because of damage to the tip?

• A. They must be reduced to conform with the shortened blade
• B. They must be lengthened to match the original length
• C. They must be balanced with a counterweight
• D. They must be replaced entirely

Answer: (C)

Shortening a blade changes the propeller’s weight distribution, shifting the center of gravity and upsetting balance. To prevent vibration and potential damage, the propeller must be rebalanced by adding counterweights to the opposite blades or to the hub. This restores even mass distribution and ensures both static and dynamic balance are maintained during operation.

That balance approach directly addresses the altered mass from the shortened blade. Simply reducing the weight of the other blades would worsen the imbalance, while lengthening a blade or replacing the entire prop isn’t necessary unless other issues exist. The goal is to bring the rotating mass back into proper balance with a counterweight.