Definition
A resilient mounting device, typically made of rubber bonded to metal, used to attach an engine, instrument, or component to the airframe so that vibration from the source is absorbed rather than transmitted to the surrounding structure.
Plain English
A flexible mount that sits between a vibrating part (like an engine or instrument) and the aircraft structure, soaking up the shaking so it doesn't pass through to the rest of the airplane.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance, especially around engine mounts, instrument panels, avionics trays, and other equipment that must be protected from shaking.
Derivation
From Latin vibrare (to shake) and isolare (to set apart). The name describes the job exactly: it sets vibration apart from the structure.
Why Pilots Care
Excessive vibration accelerates fatigue on airframe components and can cause inaccurate instrument readings or premature equipment failure.
Analogy
Like the rubber bushings on a car engine that keep road bumps from shaking the whole vehicle and its dashboard gauges.
Intuition Check
A vibration isolator does not usually remove all vibration. It reduces how much shaking is carried from one part of the aircraft to another.
Example Sentence 1
During the annual inspection, the mechanic found that one of the engine vibration isolators had cracked and needed replacement.
Example Sentence 2
New vibration isolators were installed to protect the avionics from constant propeller shake.