The empty weight of plane is based on its weight without any payload (cargo, passengers, usable fuel, etc.).12
Standards
Many different empty weight definitions exist. Here are some of the more common ones used.
GAMA standardization
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:
- Empty weight of the airplane
- Full Hydraulic Fluid
- Unusable Fuel
- Full Oil
Optional Equipment includes the following:
- All equipment installed beyond standard
Non-GAMA usage
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
References
References
- 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
- "Airplane Flying Handbook". Archived from the original on 2011-06-30. Retrieved 2011-07-02. Airplane Flying Handbook (12-11)
- FAA-H-8083-1B
- FAA-H-8083-1B