Definition
A power setting in which engine thrust is matched to the airplane's pitch attitude and configuration so that the aircraft maintains a desired flight condition — typically level flight at a chosen airspeed — without requiring continuous control input to hold altitude or speed.
Plain English
A throttle setting that produces just the right amount of thrust for the airplane's current attitude and shape, so it flies steadily on its own without needing constant correction.
Context Anchor
Seen during instrument attitude flying when setting pitch, power, and trim to hold level flight, a climb, or a descent.
Derivation
Balanced' here means 'in equilibrium' — the forces of thrust, drag, lift, and weight are matched. Power refers to engine output. Together: an engine setting that keeps the four forces in balance for the chosen flight condition.
Why Pilots Care
Allows stable, low-workload instrument flight by ensuring trim and power work together so the pilot can focus on scanning instruments rather than fighting control pressures.
Analogy
It is like pressing a car’s gas pedal just enough to hold a steady speed on a road. Too little pedal and the car slows; too much and it speeds up.
Intuition Check
Balanced power does not mean the engine is producing a special equalized setting, and it does not mean two engines are matched. Here it means the selected power fits the airplane’s current attitude and flight condition.
Example Sentence 1
Once she leveled off at cruise altitude, she set balanced power for 110 knots and then trimmed off the control pressures.
Example Sentence 2
With the nose pitched up for a climb, the pilot adjusted to balanced power so the airspeed stabilized without needing constant back pressure.