Empty weight
The empty weight of a vehicle is based on its weight without any payload (cargo, passengers, usable fuel, etc.).[1][2]
Aviation
[edit]Many different empty weight definitions exist. Here are some of the more common ones used.
GAMA standardization
[edit]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:
- Empty weight of the airplane
- Full Hydraulic Fluid
- Unusable Fuel
- Full Oil
Optional Equipment includes the following:
- All equipment installed beyond standard
Non-GAMA usage
[edit]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
[edit]
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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ 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
- ^ "Airplane Flying Handbook". Archived from the original on 2011-06-30. Retrieved 2011-07-02. Airplane Flying Handbook (12-11)
- ^ FAA-H-8083-1B
- ^ FAA-H-8083-1B
- ^ "Fact #621: May 3, 2010 Gross Vehicle Weight vs. Empty Vehicle Weight". United States Department of Energy, Vehicle Technologies Office. May 3, 2010.