New software for Dynamic Balancing of propellers to reduce vibration

[Jansen]

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is part of Australia's Department of Defence. DSTO has developed software for Air Force C-130J aircraft to vastly improve the process of dynamic balancing of propellers to reduce vibration levels. It has proved so useful that with the exception of the United States which is still reviewing the terms of the software licence, all C-130J users ( UK, Italy, Denmark, Canada and Norway) will soon start using the software.

“We found an advanced engine monitoring capability that was active but wasn’t being used. Access to this capability required no modification or change to aircraft hardware or software – only a tool to extract and decode data from a data bank recorded during every flight,†said DSTO’s Brian Rebbechi.

Balancing will now take two hours without the need for engine ground runs. Previously balancing required up to five maintenance staff, 1-2 days, and multiple ground runs. Extensive manual effort was required to temporarily install sensors, external wiring and test equipment. The ‘working at height’ OH&S issues associated with the temporary over-wing wiring caused further complications.

The software has the potential for ongoing savings for Australia’s Air Force of over $2 million worth of maintenance hours and fuel savings over the life of the aircraft, and frees up personnel and aircraft for other tasks.

http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/news/4479/

http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/news/6372/

[battleherk]

We (the Marines) are testing this software to see if we like it or not, Powerline does, but it's up to the bean counters.

[Jansen]

I am pretty sure the cost of the software won't exceed the costs of testing which are performed now... Hopefully some flag officer will take it on as a pet project and really push it through.