FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Aircraft Performance and Weight and BalanceMedium
An airplane has an operating empty weight (OEW) of 90,000 lb, a maximum zero fuel weight (MZFW) of 130,000 lb, and a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 180,000 lb. Once the airplane is loaded with payload up to its MZFW, what is the maximum additional fuel weight that can be loaded for takeoff?
- A40,000 lb
- B130,000 lb
- C90,000 lb
- D50,000 lb
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 50,000 lb
Maximum fuel load is limited by the difference between MTOW and MZFW: 180,000 − 130,000 = 50,000 lb. MZFW limits structural wing-bending loads regardless of how much fuel is added afterward.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is MZFW − OEW, which represents maximum payload, not fuel.
- B. This equals MZFW itself, not the remaining fuel allowance.
- C. This equals OEW, not the fuel calculation.
Maximum Zero Fuel Weight (MZFW)
The maximum weight of the airplane and its payload without usable fuel, limited to control wing bending moments.
- MZFW caps payload before fuel is added
- Max fuel = MTOW − MZFW
- Max payload = MZFW − OEW
Memory trick: Zero-fuel first, then top off the tanks up to max takeoff weight.