FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Performance, Weight and BalanceMedium
An airplane's maximum zero fuel weight (the maximum weight allowed before usable fuel is added) is 2,300 lb. The empty weight is 1,550 lb, and the pilot plans to load occupants and baggage totaling 820 lb before adding fuel. Does this loading comply with the zero fuel weight limit?
- AYes, it is exactly at the limit
- BYes, it is 70 lb under the limit
- CNo, it exceeds the limit by 70 lb
- DNo, it exceeds the limit by 820 lb
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. No, it exceeds the limit by 70 lb
Empty weight + payload = 1,550 + 820 = 2,370 lb, which exceeds the 2,300 lb zero fuel weight limit by 70 lb (2,370 − 2,300 = 70).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 2,370 lb does not equal 2,300 lb.
- B. Reverses the direction of the error; the load is over, not under.
- D. Confuses the payload figure with the amount of overage.
Zero Fuel Weight
Maximum weight allowed before usable fuel is added, limiting structural loads (especially wing bending) independent of fuel weight.
- ZFW = empty weight + all payload (no usable fuel)
- Protects against excessive wing root bending moment
- Fuel in wings acts as bending relief, reducing structural load
- Common on larger/turbine aircraft; some small GA POHs specify it too
Memory trick: 'No fuel, no relief' — wings need fuel weight to offset bending stress.