RE: How important is balancing the prop?
Balancing is much more important on a heli simply due to the SIZE of the rotor blades.
Something else to consider is that even an out-of-balance prop will only vibrate badly at a particular RPM. Have you ever driven a car with a tire that was out of balance? Ever notice how the car may shake at 60MPH, but not 55 and less, or 65 and over?