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Aviation glossary

Empty Weight

What is empty weight?

FAA handbook figure illustrating empty weight

Empty weight is the weight of the airframe, engines, all permanently installed equipment, and unusable fuel. It does not include usable fuel, passengers, baggage, or cargo—just the "bare" airplane as built and equipped. Think of it as the starting point you add useful load to when calculating weight and balance.

Also known as: basic empty weight, licensed empty weight, EWCG (empty weight CG)

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