FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Performance, Weight and BalanceEasy
A pilot reviews an airplane's weight and balance data: maximum gross weight is 2,400 lb, and the licensed empty weight (including unusable fuel and full oil) is 1,450 lb. What is the airplane's useful load?
- A950 lb
- B1,450 lb
- C2,400 lb
- D850 lb
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 950 lb
Useful load equals maximum gross weight minus empty weight: 2,400 lb − 1,450 lb = 950 lb. This 950 lb represents the weight available for usable fuel, pilot, passengers, and baggage.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This is the empty weight, not the useful load.
- C. This is the maximum gross weight, not the useful load.
- D. Incorrect subtraction result.
Useful Load
The difference between maximum gross weight and empty weight; available for crew, passengers, baggage, and usable fuel.
- Useful Load = Max Gross Weight − Empty Weight
- Includes usable fuel, oil (if not already in empty weight), pilot, passengers, baggage
- Found on the aircraft's weight and balance data sheet
Memory trick: Useful = Usable stuff after subtracting the empty shell