Aircraft Mass Definitions (Zero Fuel Mass, Operating Mass..) | ATPL Theory - Mass & Balance

An important part of pre-flight preparation is checking that the mass of the aircraft is within specified limits. Is the plane below it's maximum takeoff & landing mass? How much traffic load can be carried?
It's essential to be able to answer these questions as a pilot, but in order to do that knowledge about all the different aircraft masses and their definitions is important.
Do you know what the dry operating mass, variable load and traffic load are? Find out about them and many more in this video!
Thanks for watching, and if you have any feedback or questions, just let me know!
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Disclaimer: This video is for entertainment purposes only, all information should be correct but can never replace real training! Some information may be simplified for ease of understanding.
Intro Music: PremiumBeat
Produced by Jonathan Felber.
Intro - 0:00

[@A.hdh.]

Yes please, do continue this topic by expanding to the restrictions further

[@PilotJonathan]

I will see what I can do!

[@alihaidersyed6031]

As always, excellently and easily explained, can't wait for the next one.

[@PilotJonathan]

Thank you!

[@saianurag3580]

Wonderful video!

[@villehiltunen8559]

Thank you Jonathan. This was really well structured video.

[@PilotJonathan]

Thank you!

[@PPinto-fd9qg]

This is so useful! Many thanks for posting this content. It really helps to understand the concepts.

[@PilotJonathan]

Thank you for watching!

[@troe2339]

Great video as always!

[@PilotJonathan]

Thanks and thanks for helping me with the graphics! 😁

[@troe2339]

@@PilotJonathan Of course! Anytime :D

[@noahmukiri9822]

amazing

[@nofilaltagdy854]

man you are so good

[@user-br1sn6vf4m]

Good job,excellently and easily explained

[@PilotJonathan]

Thank you!

[@dickdickenson7587]

Jonathan - very good video mate! Very good explanation, Big Thanks mate! PS.: Do more videos about Mass please! :)

[@PilotJonathan]

Thanks for the praise!

[@solomonsileshi3468]

Very excellent video.

[@PilotJonathan]

Thanks!

[@Ryukun28]

Well explained that👏🏻

[@PilotJonathan]

Thank you!

[@PhillipFrank-fg3uk]

Will like a more elaborate conversion on this

[@stefanocozzi8188]

Hey amazing video ! could you make a video explaining the Load and trim sheet. would be very helpful (:

[@PilotJonathan]

Thank you! I'll put it on my list - which one in particular are you talking about?

[@ledkossl697]

Thanks

[@PilotJonathan]

Thanks for watching!

[@AlanTheBest97]

Could someone answer me one question? What acronym represents the maximum weght the structure of the aircraft can accept on takeoff in the video (I am quite confused on the acronyms)? And what about the maximum takeoff weight limited by performance? (climb and obstacle clearance performance)

[@PilotJonathan]

MSTOM - Maximum structural take-off mass PLTOM - Performance limited take-off mass Hope this helps!

[@AlanTheBest97]

@@PilotJonathan thanks for the reply, I have another question. If USEFUL LOAD is = TOF + TL wouldnt it be incorrect to say that Actual TOM = DOM + UL (the correct as I understand would be Ramp Mass = DOM + UL ) because the TOM would be the mass of the aircraft lined up on the runway after spending taxi fuel. ?

[@ianchege1002]

BASED

[@glennwatson]

It's very regional if the term mass or weight is used btw. Eg CASA here and the FAA all the official documentation and legislation refers to it as weight and balance. ICAO refers to it as mass. Physics wise mass is more correct.

[@PilotJonathan]

Yeah, that is the confusing part, since like you say physics wise there is a clear difference between mass and weight, and these are clearly masses! But I'm guessing it will slowly change in most parts of the world, it used to be referred to weights everywhere as far as I know - and it's definitely not helped by the term weight technically being used wrongly in day to day life as well

[@kiliweskundla]

Been struggling so much with these but as calculations

[@PilotJonathan]

Practice makes perfect - once you know the relationship between the different masses the math is quite simple!

[@JulianaSaba-rp5jk]

The operating mass of an aircraft is what?

[@PilotJonathan]

As stated at 3:18 it's the aircraft ready to operate a flight but without payload (pax, cargo etc.) - the addition of the fuel to the dry operating mass gives you the operating mass

[@aviationlearningzone]

👏👏

[@smudent2010]

This is definitely not a north american lesson I take it lol We've never called it these names here. Might be best to put a location in the title so some people don't get tricked for their exams

[@PilotJonathan]

Good point - but whilst this is based on the EASA learning objectives the general concepts should be the same no matter where you are!