Glossary of Terms
A/C Reg.
The Aircraft Registration Number is assigned by an aviation authority
and is used to identify the aircraft. An aircraft registration number is sometimes referred to as
the tail number. eFlite uses A/C Reg. to automatically adjust Empty
Weight values in fleet software according to the aircraft selected.
A/C Type
The Aircraft Type identifies the aircraft module and the type of
data files the user can import into the program. For example, a Beech 1900D aircraft module
cannot open flight planning files for a Dornier 328JET.
AFM
The Airplane Flight Manual is an approved document, prepared by
the holder of a Type Certificate for an aircraft, that specifies the operating limitations
and contains the required markings and placards and other information applicable to the
regulations under which the aircraft was certificated. The AFM
should be reviewed on a regular basis and ALWAYS be kept within arms length of the pilot.
Aft Limit
The Aft Limit is the farthest distance the calculated
CG should ever be located from the Datum to maintain safe flight.
The Aft Limit can vary according to weight and is determined
by the aircraft manufacturer. Passenger and/or baggage loads should be moved toward the
front of the aircraft if the software indicates a WARNING as
a result of the Aft Limit being exceeded.
ARM
An ARM is the horizontal distance from the reference datum to
the center of gravity (CG) of an item. The algebraic sign is plus (+) if measured aft of the
datum or to the right side of the center line when considering a lateral calculation. The
algebraic sign is minus (-) if measured forward of the datum or the left side of the center
line when considering a lateral calculation.
BEW
The Basic Empty Weight is the weight of a completely empty
aircraft with engine oil at the full mark and only non-usable fuel in the tanks.
BEW does not include the weight of a crew, passengers,
baggage, usable fuel or anything else that may be in a cabinet, on a shelf or the floor.
BOW
The Basic Operating Weight is the BEW plus the weight of a
crew and their provisions. Think of BOW as everything
necessary to complete a flight minus the fuel, passengers and baggage.
Centroid
The Centroid is used for weight and balance purposes and the
distance from the datum to the center of a compartment or fuel tank.
CG
The Center of Gravity is the point at which an airplane would balance
if suspended. Its distance from the reference datum is determined by dividing the total moment
by the total weight of the airplane. It is the mass center of the aircraft, or the theoretical
point at which the entire weight of the aircraft is assumed to be concentrated. It may be
expressed in percent of MAC (mean aerodynamic cord) or in inches from the reference datum.
Datum
The Datum is a point from which all horizontal measurements on the
aircraft are made. There is no fixed rule for the location of the datum but in many cases it is
either located on the nose of the aircraft or the firewall.
DOW
The Dry Operating Weight is the BEW plus the weight of a
crew and their provisions. Think of DOW as everything
necessary to complete a flight minus the fuel, passengers and baggage.
Flight No.
The Flight Number refers to any designation assigned by the carrier to
identify a particular flight.
Fuel Onboard
The Fuel Onboard is the total amount of fuel available in the fuel
tanks that can be consumed by the engine.
Fwd Limit
The Fwd Limit is the farthest forward point the calculated
CG should ever be to maintain safe flight. The
Fwd Limit can vary according to weight and is determined by the
aircraft manufacturer. Passenger and/or baggage loads should be moved toward the rear of the
aircraft if the software indicates a WARNING as a result of
the Fwd Limit being exceeded.
Galley
The Galley is a term commonly used to describe the refreshment
center located on many larger aircraft.
Load Manifest or Schedule
Creating a Load Manifest is a critical part of planning a
flight for hire. Subpart B of the FAA Part 135 regulations states:
§ 135.63 Recordkeeping Requirements.
(a) ...
(b) ...
(c) For multiengine aircraft, each certificate holder is responsible for the preparation
and accuracy of a load manifest in duplicate containing
information concerning the loading of the aircraft. The manifest must be prepared before
each takeoff and must include -
- The number of passengers;
- The total weight of the loaded aircraft;
- The maximum allowable takeoff weight for that flight;
- The center of gravity limits;
- The center of gravity of the loaded aircraft, except the actual center of gravity
need not be computed if the aircraft is loaded according to a loading schedule or
other approved method that ensures the center of gravity of the loaded aircraft is
within approved limits. In those cases, an entry shall be made on the manifest
indicating the center of gravity is within limits according to a loading schedule or
other approved method;
- The registration of the aircraft or flight number;
- The origin and destination; and
- Identification of crew members and their crew position assignments.
(d) The pilot in command of the aircraft for which a load manifest must be prepared shall
carry a copy of the completed load manifest in the aircraft to the destination. The
certificate holder shall keep copies of completed load manifest for at least 30 days at
its principal operations base, or at another location used by it and approved by the
Administrator.
LW
The Landing Weight is the calculated aircraft weight upon
landing as determined from user entered data and displayed on the Load Summary and CG
Envelope.
MALW
The Maximum Allowable Landing Weight is the maximum aircraft
weight permitted during landing as determined by the most restrictive of the following
requirements:
- Maximum Certificated Landing Weight;
- Maximum Landing Weight (Approach Climb or Brake Energy Limited);
- Maximum Landing Weight for runway length available.
MATW
The Maximum Allowable Take-Off Weight is the maximum
aircraft weight permitted during take-off as determined by the most restrictive
of the following requirements:
- Maximum Certificated Takeoff Weight;
- Maximum Takeoff Weight to meet minimum single-engine climb gradients
and not exceed brake energy limits (Climb or Brake Energy Limited);
- Maximum Takeoff Weight for runway length available; or
- Maximum Takeoff Weight for obstacle clearance.
MLW
The Maximum Landing Weight is the maximum gross weight permitted
when landing as certificated by the aircraft manufacturer. Multi-engine, turboprop and jet
aircraft typically have a MLW that is less than the
MTOW while most single engine aircraft typically have
a MLW and MTOW that are
identical. For example, a King Air C-90 has a MTOW of 9,650 pounds with a MLW of 9,168
pounds and the Bonanza A-36 has a MTOW and MLW of 3,650 pounds.
MRW
The Maximum Ramp Weight is the maximum gross weight permitted on the
ramp as certificated by the aircraft manufacturer. Turboprop and jet aircraft typically have
a MRW that is slightly higher than the MTOW
with the difference being the weight of the fuel burned during startup, taxi and runup.
Most multi-engine and single engine piston aircraft typically have a MRW
that is equal to the MTOW. The MRW is not displayed when
it is not provided in an AFM and POH or identical to the MTOW.
MTOW
The Maximum Take-Off Weight is the maximum gross weight permitted
during take-off as certificated by the aircraft manufacturer. The upper weight limit displayed
on the CG Envelope diagram would be the MTOW for your aircraft.
MZFW
The Maximum Zero Fuel Weight is the maximum authorized weight of an
aircraft without fuel and includes the empty weight of the aircraft and everything that will
be carried on the flight except the weight of the fuel. For example, a Cessna Citation II
(S/N 550-0001 through 550-0549 ) has a MZFW of 9,500 pounds which
means the combined weight of the unfueled aircraft, crew, passengers and baggage must never
exceed 9,500 pounds.
No. Pax or Occupants
The Number of Passengers refers to the total number of people on board
not acting as a crew member when using an Operating Weight
configuration. Occupants refers to the total number of people on
board the aircraft that includes passengers and crew members when using an
Empty Weight configuration.
Payload
The Payload is the total weight of passengers, baggage and cargo.
Percent MAC
The Percent Mean Aerodynamic Chord is typically used on larger
aircraft to express the Center of Gravity location and limits in a the form of a
percentage of the manufacturers defined chord versus of a distance from the Datum.
PIC
The abbreviation stands for Pilot in Command.
POH
The Pilot Operating Handbook is an approved document published
by the airframe manufacturer that lists the operating conditions for a particular model of
aircraft and its engine(s). The POH should be reviewed on a regular
basis and ALWAYS be kept within arms length of the pilot seat.
Ramp Wt
The Ramp Weight is the weight of the aircraft prior to start-up,
run-up and taxi and includes BEW and the weight of all crew
members, passengers, baggage and fuel.
Seats & Baggage
Seat 1, Seat 2, Seat 3 and so on refers to the passenger seating
available in the aircraft starting from the passenger area in the front of the aircraft and
moving toward the rear as indicated in the Pilot Operating Handbook. Certain eFlite
customizations also include Seat J for a jump seat and/or
Seat T for lavatory seat locations. Quick and easy loading using
standard passenger weights is accomplished by clicking on the adjacent
BLUE buttons. Baggage locations are typically identified as Fwd Bags
for the forward baggage area and Aft Bags for the aft
baggage area. In addition, some aircraft may also identify cargo and baggage loading stations
as Wing Lockers, Nose Baggage, Storage Bays or even Aft Cargo. Be sure to take advantage of the
miniature popups that display the ARM for the loading station being
used. The popups are easily utilized by placing the mouse over the loading station and waiting
about a second for the text to appear: on the Mobile Edition you need to "tap and hold"
the station. The popup text indicates the name of the loading station and its corresponding
ARM.
SIC
The Second in Command is the copilot.
Taxi Fuel
Taxi Fuel is fuel used during start-up, taxi and run-up
procedures. The Taxi Fuel value is entered according to its weight.
TOW
The Takeoff Weight is the calculated takeoff weight as determined
from user entered data and displayed in Load Summary and on the CG Envelope.
Trip Fuel
The Trip Fuel for turbo-prop and jet aircraft is typically defined
as the total weight of fuel consumed by the aircraft from the time it takes off until the
time it lands. For example, a Beech 1900D will have a Trip Fuel of 680 pounds during its
flight from PIA to MKE. Trip Fuel for piston aircraft is typically
defined as the total number of gallons of the fuel consumed by the aircraft from the time it
takes off until the time it lands. For example, a Cessna 414 will have a Trip Fuel of 68
gallons of fuel during its flight from PIA to MKE. Trip Fuel values do not include Taxi Fuel.
Version
The Version identifies selected seat or cargo
configuration for current flight.
ZFW
The Zero Fuel Weight is the Basic Empty Weight plus crew members,
passengers and baggage. Usable fuel weight is not included in ZFW
calculations.
