Empty weight

The empty weight of plane is based on its weight without any payload (cargo, passengers, usable fuel, etc.).[1][2]

Standards

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Many different empty weight definitions exist. Here are some of the more common ones used.

GAMA standardization

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In 1975 (or 1976 per FAA-H-8083-1B) [3] the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) standardized the definition of empty weight terms for Pilot Operating Handbooks as follows:

Standard Empty Weight
+ Optional Equipment

Basic Empty Weight

Standard Empty Weight includes the following:

Optional Equipment includes the following:

  • All equipment installed beyond standard

Non-GAMA usage

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Previously (Regarding aircraft certified under CAR Part 3)[4] the following were commonly used to define empty weights:

Empty Weight
+ Unusable Fuel

Standard Empty Weight
Standard Empty Weight
+ Optional Equipment

Licensed Empty Weight

In this definition Empty Weight includes the following:

  • Empty weight of the airplane
  • Undrainable Oil
  • Full Hydraulic Fluid

Note that weight of oil must be added to Licensed Empty Weight for it to be equivalent to Basic Empty Weight

See also

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References

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  1. ^ https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/media/FAA-H-8083-1A.pdf Archived 2016-01-01 at the Wayback Machine Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook
  2. ^ "Airplane Flying Handbook". Archived from the original on 2011-06-30. Retrieved 2011-07-02. Airplane Flying Handbook (12-11)
  3. ^ FAA-H-8083-1B
  4. ^ FAA-H-8083-1B