FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Aircraft Performance and Weight and BalanceHard
A dispatcher calculates the following limiting landing weights for a turbojet transport arriving at its destination: structural maximum landing weight 180,000 lb, climb-limited landing weight 195,000 lb, and field-length-limited landing weight 188,000 lb. What is the maximum allowable landing weight for this flight?
- A195,000 lb
- B188,000 lb
- CThe average of the three values
- D180,000 lb
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 180,000 lb
The maximum allowable landing weight is always the LOWEST of all applicable limits — structural, climb, and field-length. Here, the structural maximum landing weight of 180,000 lb is the lowest and therefore governs, even though climb and field-length limits are higher.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 195,000 lb is the climb limit, which is higher than the structural limit and therefore not controlling.
- B. 188,000 lb is the field-length limit, also higher than the structural limit.
- C. Averaging is not how performance limits are combined; the most restrictive value always applies.
Limiting Landing Weight Selection
The maximum allowable landing weight is the lowest of all applicable limits: structural, climb-limited, field-length-limited, and obstacle-limited.
- Structural limit is a fixed certification value, independent of conditions.
- Climb-limited weight depends on missed approach climb gradient requirements.
- Field-length-limited weight depends on the 60% landing distance rule.
- The most restrictive (lowest) of all applicable limits always controls.
Memory trick: Landing weight is only as generous as its stingiest limit.