The weight of an aircraft, encompassing the airframe, engines, unusable fuel, and all fixed equipment, along with the crew, passengers, and payload, is termed its weight excluding any usable fuel. This value represents the aircraft’s structural weight plus the weight of everything loaded onto it, aside from the fuel intended for propulsion. For instance, a cargo plane might have a structural weight of 100,000 lbs. After loading cargo and the crew, but before adding any fuel, its measurement reads 150,000 lbs. That reading represents the weight excluding usable fuel.
This metric is critical in aviation for several reasons. It is used to calculate weight and balance, ensuring the aircraft’s center of gravity remains within acceptable limits for safe flight. Exceeding the permitted weight excluding usable fuel can compromise the aircraft’s structural integrity and maneuverability. Historically, careful calculation of these values prevented numerous accidents due to overstressing the aircraft structure. Furthermore, it informs decisions related to fuel loading, takeoff speeds, and landing procedures.
