FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Performance, Weight and BalanceHard
An airplane has a maximum gross weight of 2,700 lb and an empty weight of 1,680 lb. The pilot and passenger together weigh 340 lb, and the fuel tanks are filled with 50 gallons of fuel at 6 lb/gal. What is the maximum baggage weight that can be added without exceeding the maximum gross weight?
- A380 lb
- B320 lb
- C300 lb
- D400 lb
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 380 lb
Useful load = 2,700 − 1,680 = 1,020 lb. Fuel weight = 50 × 6 = 300 lb. Subtracting occupants and fuel from useful load: 1,020 − 340 − 300 = 380 lb available for baggage.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This undercounts the remaining useful load available for baggage.
- C. This equals only the fuel weight, not the remaining baggage allowance.
- D. This overstates the baggage allowance beyond the useful load available.
Useful Load Allocation
Useful load (max gross weight minus empty weight) must be divided among occupants, fuel, and baggage without exceeding the total.
- Useful load = max gross weight − empty weight
- Subtract occupants and fuel weight to find baggage allowance
- Exceeding useful load exceeds max gross weight
Memory trick: Useful load is a budget split three ways.