Datum
An imaginary vertical plane from which all horizontal distances
are measured for balance purposes.
Maximum Landing Weight
(MLW)
Maximum weight approved for the landing touchdown.
Maximum Ramp Weight
(MRW)
Maximum weight approved for ground maneuver. It includes
weight of start, taxi, and run-up fuel.
Maximum Takeoff Weight
(MTOW)
Maximum weight approved for the start of the takeoff run.
Maximum Zero Fuel Weight
(MZFW)
Maximum weight exclusive of usable fuel.
Moment
The product of the weight of an item multiplied by its arm.
Moment divided by a constant is used to simplify balance
calculations by reducing the number of digits.
Payload
Weight of occupants, cargo, and baggage.
Standard Empty Weight
Weight of a standard airplane, standard interior, 9 passenger
seats and cabin floor covering including unusable fuel, full
operating fluids, and full oil.
Station
A location along the airplane fuselage usually given in terms of
distance from the reference datum.
Tare Weight
The weight indicated by a scale before it is loaded.
Unusable Fuel
Fuel which may not be considered usable for flight planning.
Usable Fuel
Fuel available for flight planning.
Useful Load
Difference between takeoff weight, or ramp weight if applicable,
and basic empty weight.
1-5-7
General Abbreviations and Symbols
C
Celsius
cu
Cubic
F
Fahrenheit
FAA
Federal Aviation Administration (U.S.A.)
FOCA
Federal Office for Civil Aviation (Switzerland)
fpm
Feet per Minute
ft
Feet
g
Unit of acceleration measured against the force of gravity
gal
Gallon (US)
hg
Mercury
IFR
Instrument Flight Rules
in
Inches
kg
Kilogram
KTAS
Knots True Airspeed
lb
Pound (mass)
m
Meter
MAC
Mean Aerodynamic Chord
max
Maximum
mbar
Millibar
mkg
Moment in meters/kilograms
min
Minimum
mm
Millimeters
Section 1 - General
General Abbreviations and Symbols
Pilot's Operating Handbook
Report No: 02406
Issue date: Mar 06, 2020
Page 1-5-5
12-C-A15-00-0105-00A-005A-A
FOR
GENERAL
AND
FAMILIARIZATION
PURPOSES
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