In empty weight calculations, which items are considered part of the empty weight?

• A. Weight of airframe, engines, and permanently installed equipment, including optional equipment
• B. Payload and usable fuel
• C. Crew and passengers
• D. Usable fuel only

Answer: (A)

In empty weight calculations, you’re determining the baseline mass of the airplane with all fixed items still attached. This includes the airframe, engines, and all permanently installed equipment, including any optional equipment that is installed as a permanent part of the aircraft. These items stay with the airplane in flight and define its empty weight.

Payload and usable fuel, as well as crew and passengers, are not part of this baseline. They represent load that is added after the empty weight is established to reach the aircraft’s gross weight for a mission. Usable fuel itself isn’t included in the empty weight because fuel is considered a variable load added for flight.