Weight Definitions and Limitations

B-1
Operating Weight Definitions

B-2
 Operating Weight Terms and Definitions
Manufacturers Empty Weight:
Weight of the structure, powerplant, furnishings, systems
and other items of equipment that are an integral part of a
particular aircraft configuration. It is essentially a dry
weight, including only those fluids contained in closed
systems.
Includes: - airframe, systems
- closed system fluids
- seats, seat belts
- seller-furnished emergency equipment
- fire extinguishers
Does not include: - galley structure, ovens, inserts, etc.
- escape slides
- life rafts, life vests
- portable oxygen bottles
- fluids like engine oil, trapped fuel, potable water

B-3
 Operating Weight Terms and Definitions

Standard Items:
Equipment and system fluids which are not considered an
integral part of a particular aircraft configuration, are not
included in the MEW, but which do not normally vary for
aircraft of the same type. Standard items may include, but
are not limited to:
- unusable fuel, oil, and engine injection fluids
- unusable drinking and washing water
- first aid kits, flashlights, megaphone, etc
- emergency oxygen equipment
- galley/bar structure, inserts, ovens, etc.
- electronic equipment required by the operator

B-4
 Operating Weight Terms and Definitions

Basic Empty Weight:

Manufacturers empty weight plus Standard Items.
(From an equipment standpoint, the airplane is ready
for operation.)

B-5
 Operating Weight Terms and Definitions

Operational Items:
Personnel, equipment and supplies necessary for a
particular operation but not included in the Basic Empty
Weight. These items may vary for a particular aircraft
and may include, but are not limited to:
- flight and cabin crew plus their baggage
- manuals and navigation equipment
- removable service equipment:
cabin (blankets, pillows, literature, etc.)
galley (food, beverages, etc.)
- usable drinking and washing water
- toilet fluid and chemical
- life rafts, life vests, emergency transmitters
- cargo containers, pallets, and/or
cargo tiedown equipment if used.
B-6
 Operating Weight Terms and Definitions

Operational Empty Weight:

Basic Empty Weight plus Operational Items.
This is essentially the takeoff weight, except for usable
fuel and payload.

(Most airlines will call this Dry Operating Weight, or, Basic Weight)

Some airlines have another term called Aircraft Prepared for Service
(APS) weight:
BEW + standard operating items = APS weight
APS weight + Operating item adjustments = DOW

B-7
Operating Weight Terms and Definitions

Operational Empty Weight

Operational (Dry Operating Weight)
Items
Standard Items Basic Empty Weight
Weight

MEW

B-8
Weight Limitations

B-9
 Weight Limitations

The absolute maximum weight capabilities for

any given airplane are called the airplanes
Structural Weight Limits:

Based on airplane maximum structural capability

Defines the envelope for the c.g. chart both
maximum weight and c.g. limits
Airplane structural capability is typically a function of
when the airplane was built (what line number)
In some cases earlier manufactured airplanes can have
their structural capability increased by changing parts
of the airplane.

B-10
 Weight Limitations

The maximum allowable weights that can legally

be used by a given airline are listed in the AFM,
and Weight and Balance Manual; these are called
the airplanes Certified Weight Limits:

Maximum weights chosen by the airline

Some airlines refer to these as the purchased weights
Certified weight limits are often below the structural limits
Airlines may buy a certified weight below structural
capability because many of the airport operating fees are
based on the airplane's AFM maximum allowable weight
value. Typically the purchase price is a function of the
certified weight bought
B-11
 Weight Limitations

Maximum Taxi Weight (MTW):

Maximum weight allowed for movement of the airplane
on the ground (taxiing or towing).

Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW):

Maximum weight allowed at the start of the takeoff run.
(design for 6 fps (360 fpm) rate of sink at touchdown
with no structural damage)

B-12
 Weight Limitations

Maximum Landing Weight (MLW):

The maximum weight allowed for normal landing of the
airplane. (design for 10 fps (600 fpm) rate of sink at touch
down with no structural damage). Note: overweight
landings require a structural inspection or evaluation of
the touch-down loads before the next operation.

Maximum Zero Fuel Weight (MZFW):

Maximum weight allowed before usable fuel must be
loaded in defined sections of the aircraft. Any weight
added above the MZFW must be only due to fuel.

B-13
Weight Limitations MLW?

Video of Hard Landing With

Some Structural Damage

B-14
 Weight Limitations MZFW

There is a common misconception that the maximum

bending moment produced at the wing root
(wing/body intersection) occurs at the MZFW loading
condition; i.e., maximum allowable payload but no
fuel onboard
The MZFW is definitely a contributing factor to the
maximum bending moment at the side-of-body, but it
is not usually the exact loading condition that
produces either the maximum bending moment or
the bending moments required to be considered for
fatigue reasons
Lets consider how the bending moment at the side-
of-body could vary with loaded payload and fuel
B-15
 Moment at
Side of Body
= x * Lift

MZFW
x DOW + Payload Weight
Lift =
2

(For this illustration we are neglecting the downward

bending of the wing provided by the empty weight of
DOW + Payload the wing and engine structure)
B-16
 Moment at
Side of Body
= x * Lift
- (y * Left Main Tank Fuel)

Full Main Tanks

MZFW
x DOW + Payload + Left Tank Fuel Weight
Lift =
2

y yy y y
Fuel Fuel
Fuel
Fuel (For this illustration we are neglecting the downward
Fuel
bending of the wing provided by the empty weight of
DOW + Payload the wing and engine structure)
B-17
 Example of Large Center Tank
(aircraft designed for long range)

Maximum moment

Moment at
Side of Body
= x * Lift Average
moment for most

Full Main + Center Tanks

- (y * Left Main Tank Fuel)
flights (fatigue
issues)

Full Main Tanks

MZFW
(DOW + Payload
x Weight
Lift = + Ctr Tank Fuel) + Left Tank Fuel
2

(For this illustration we are neglecting the downward

Fuel
bending of the wing provided by the empty weight of
DOW + Payload + Center Tank Fuel the wing and engine structure)
B-18
 Example of Small Center Tank
(aircraft designed for short range)

Moment at
Side of Body
Maximum moment
= x * Lift
Average

Full Main + Center Tanks

- (y * Left Main Tank Fuel)
moment for most
flights (fatigue
issues)

Full Main Tanks

MZFW
(DOW + Payload
x Weight
Lift = + Ctr Tank Fuel) + Left Tank Fuel
2

(For this illustration we are neglecting the downward

Fuel
bending of the wing provided by the empty weight of
DOW + Payload + Center Tank Fuel the wing and engine structure)
B-19
 Weight Limitations MZFW

It can be seen from the previous illustrations that

while the MZFW condition does not provide the
maximum bending moment at the side-of-body,
increasing or decreasing MZFW will definitely affect
the condition that does provide this maximum
moment
In addition, increasing MZFW will increase the
average moment at the wing root during normal
operating conditions (long-term structural fatigue
issues)
We have only considered the moment at the side of
the body. The same analysis could be done at any
location moving outboard on the wing.
B-20
 Additional Weight Limitations
Maximum In-flight Weight:
The maximum weight for flight with landing flaps deployed.
(747 classic, 737 classic, 727)

Maximum Fuel Transfer Weight (MFTW):

The maximum weight for initiating fuel transfer from reserve
tanks to the main tanks. (747)

Minimum Inflight Weight (MFW):

The minimum allowed weight during flight. Establishes the
load factor for airplane fixed equipment.

Note that the maximum structural weight limits may be less

as limited by center of gravity, fuel density, and fuel loading
limits. B-21
 Operational Weight Limitations
The maximum allowable Operational Takeoff Weight
may be limited to a weight which is lower than the
Certified Maximum Weight by the most restrictive of
the following requirements:
Airplane performance requirements for a given
altitude and temperature:
- Takeoff field length available
- Tire speed and brake energy limits
- Minimum climb requirements
- Obstacle clearance requirements
Noise requirements
Tire pressure limits
Runway loading requirements
Center of gravity limitations
B-22
 Operational Weight Limitations

The Operational Landing Weight may be limited to a

weight lower than the Certified Maximum Landing
Weight by the most restrictive of the following
requirements:
Airplane performance requirements for a given
altitude and temperature:
- Landing field length requirements
- Approach and landing climb requirements
Noise requirements

B-23
 Components of Takeoff Weight

TAXI OUT FUEL

Taxi Wt ( MTW)
Takeoff Wt ( MTOW)
TOTAL TRIP
FUEL FUEL
LOADED
RESERVE FUEL
Landing Wt ( MLW)
CARGO
Zero Fuel Wt ( MZFW)
TOTAL
Weight

PAYLOAD
PASS & BAGS

OEW

TOW = OEW + (PASS & BAGGAGE) + CARGO + TOTAL FUEL LOADED TAXI OUT FUEL
B-24
 Weight Components are Reflected in
the Payload Range of an Airplane
737-800 Payload-Range
60
(25) MTOW ~ lb (kg)
155,500 (70,530)
50 737-800
174,200 (79,010)
(20)

40

(15) 162 passengers

Payload
~ 1,000 lb 30
(1,000 kg)
(10)

Fue 6,
20

l ca 875
pac (26,
ity, 020
(5)
10

U .S )
. ga
l (L
(0)

)
0
0 1 2 3 4 5

(0) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9)
Typical Mission Rules and Reserves Range ~ 1,000 nmi (1,000 km)
Still Air, Standard Day
Typical OEW B-25
 End of
Weight Definitions and Limitations

B-26