User talk:Ben-AlexandriaVA

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Maximum zero-fuel weight

Hello Ben. On 1 August you amended Zero-fuel weight to say the Zero-fuel weight of an aircraft is the maximum total weight of that aircraft, minus the total weight of usable fuel. (See your diff.)

The maximum total weight of an aircraft is a limitation, in the same way that the maximum take-off weight is a limitation, and the maximum landing weight is a limitation. A pilot observes the limitation on take-off weight by ensuring his take-off weight never exceeds the maximum take-off weight. He observes the limitation on landing weight by ensuring he never lands with a landing weight that exceeds the maximum landing weight. If zero fuel weight is a limitation, how does a pilot observe that limitation? What parameter must not exceed the zero-fuel weight? Perhaps you are thinking that the actual aircraft weight must not exceed the zero-fuel weight. If that happened, no pilot of an aircraft with a ZFW could ever reach maximum take-off weight! Your edit makes no sense.

The expression Maximum zero fuel weight is used in 14CFR, the US airworthiness design standards. For example, see FAR 25.341(a)(6):
FAR 25.341

In an aircraft in which there is a limitation on zero-fuel weight, that limitation is called Maximum zero fuel weight. The pilot observes this limitation by ensuring that the zero-fuel weight of the aircraft at take-off does not exceed the maximum zero fuel weight. Simple.

You stated that your edit was based on the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook but you didn't quote a page number or paragraph number. I will assume that you have mis-read the Handbook, or the Handbook is in error. Wikipedia attempts to publish information based on the most reliable source. Handbooks are mostly reliable but they are not always reliable because they aren't the primary source of authoritative information. In this case, if you have read the Handbook correctly, it is at variance with 14CFR, the regulations pertaining to the design and certification of aircraft. FAR 25.341 prescribes a regulation for the design of transport category aircraft and it clearly specifies a Maximum zero fuel weight so this must be regarded as more authoritative than the Flying Handbook.

I will restore the article as it was prior to the recent amendment. If you wish to discuss it further I would be happy to do so. Just write your views here on your Talk page. I will put it on my Watchlist so I will see anything you write here. Best regards. Dolphin (t) 12:31, 2 August 2016 (UTC)[reply]