Useful load

Definitions

• The weight of the pilot, copilot, passengers, baggage, usable fuel, and drainable oil. It is the basic empty weight subtracted from the maximum allowable gross weight. This term applies to general aviation aircraft only.
• (GAMA) The difference between takeoff weight, or ramp weight if applicable, and basic empty weight.
• The difference between the gross weight and the basic empty weight. It includes the flight crew, usable fuel, drainable oil, if applicable, and payload.

References

• Airplane Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2021
• Helicopter Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2019
• Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2000
• Weight and Balance Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2016
• Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2008