Empty weight

The empty weight of a vehicle is based on its weight without any payload (cargo, passengers, usable fuel, etc.).[1][2]

Aviation

Many different empty weight definitions exist. Here are some of the more common ones used.

GAMA standardization

In 1975 (or 1976 per FAA-H-8083-1B) [3] the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) standardized the definition of empty weight terms for Pilot Operating Handbooks as follows:

Standard Empty Weight
+ Optional Equipment
Basic Empty Weight

Standard Empty Weight includes the following:

Optional Equipment includes the following:

  • All equipment installed beyond standard

Non-GAMA usage

Previously (Regarding aircraft certified under CAR Part 3)[4] the following were commonly used to define empty weights:

Empty Weight
+ Unusable Fuel
Standard Empty Weight
Standard Empty Weight
+ Optional Equipment
Licensed Empty Weight

In this definition Empty Weight includes the following:

  • Empty weight of the airplane
  • Undrainable Oil
  • Full Hydraulic Fluid

Note that weight of oil must be added to Licensed Empty Weight for it to be equivalent to Basic Empty Weight

Ground transportation

The standard empty weight restriction sign in the United States

In the United States, bridge weight limits for trucks and other heavy vehicles may be expressed in terms of gross vehicle weight or empty weight.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/media/FAA-H-8083-1A.pdf Archived 2016-01-01 at the Wayback Machine Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook
  2. ^ "Airplane Flying Handbook". Archived from the original on 2011-06-30. Retrieved 2011-07-02. Airplane Flying Handbook (12-11)
  3. ^ FAA-H-8083-1B
  4. ^ FAA-H-8083-1B
  5. ^ "Fact #621: May 3, 2010 Gross Vehicle Weight vs. Empty Vehicle Weight". United States Department of Energy, Vehicle Technologies Office. May 3, 2010.