Which quantity is included in empty weight that some may overlook?

Which quantity is included in empty weight that some may overlook?

• A. Payload
• B. Usable fuel
• C. Crew
• D. Unusable fuel

Answer: (D)

Empty weight is the aircraft’s weight in its basic, fixed configuration plus any fluids that cannot be drained, but without payload and without usable fuel. A small amount of fuel that cannot be pumped out—unusable fuel—remains in the tanks and cannot be used for flight, so it is included in this baseline weight. That’s why unusable fuel is the quantity that’s included in empty weight, even though it’s still fuel. Usable fuel, payload, and crew are not part of empty weight because they are added to the aircraft only when it’s loaded for a flight.

Empty weight is the aircraft’s weight in its basic, fixed configuration plus any fluids that cannot be drained, but without payload and without usable fuel. A small amount of fuel that cannot be pumped out—unusable fuel—remains in the tanks and cannot be used for flight, so it is included in this baseline weight. That’s why unusable fuel is the quantity that’s included in empty weight, even though it’s still fuel. Usable fuel, payload, and crew are not part of empty weight because they are added to the aircraft only when it’s loaded for a flight.