LoadingWeight and Balance
Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW)
Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW) is the total weight of the aircraft and all its contents — including crew, passengers, and cargo — but excluding any usable fuel. It is used as a baseline step in loading calculations to ensure the aircraft remains within structural limits before fuel is added. Take-off weight is determined by adding the fuel load to the ZFW.
Key Points
- •Calculated by adding the basic empty weight to the payload, which includes occupants and cargo.
- •Used to check that the aircraft remains within structural limits before fuel weight is added.
- •Take-off weight is determined by adding the planned fuel load to the ZFW.
Exam Relevance
PPL candidates must be able to calculate ZFW to plot on loading system charts and verify the center of gravity.
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