Maximum takeoff weight

Maximum take-off weight ( engl. maximum take off weight, MTOW ) is the maximum takeoff weight of an aircraft. This is the mass at which the aircraft can take off without violating the prescribed safety margins. The MTOW is determined by constructional criteria as part of the type certification.

Classification

Aircraft classes

After MTOW aircraft are classified internationally, where there are different national classes:

  • Ultralight (D) (up to 472.5 kg MTOW, sport pilot license (SPL ) required)
  • Ultralight class ( international) ( up to 544 / 560 kg MTOW corresponds German ultralights )
  • Light Sport Aircraft (LSA ) ( USA / European launch planned) ( 600 kg MTOW), Light Aircraft Pilot Licence ( LAPL ) required
  • VLA ( Very light airplane - Light Aircraft ) ( international / D ) ( up to 750 kg MTOW, private pilot license (PPL ) required)
  • Light aircraft up to 5.7 t MTOW (international / D) ( private pilot license required).
  • For heavier aircraft targeted type-specific permissions ( Type Rating ) must be purchased, which must be entered in the appropriate pilot license.

It may happen that the MTOW is " artificially " reduced basis of licensing regulations: aircraft, for example, were designed for the U.S. market, often have a MTOW of 600 kg in order to fully exploit the limitations of the local LSA category can. Since they do not fulfill the German requirements for light aircraft up to 2 tons MTOW ( " Echo Class"), they were there for a long time are only allowed as ultralights - with the penalty that the technically possible 600 kg during type to 472.5 kg were reduced. The is to be created in future by the European LSA class remedy.

Wake turbulence categories

Also according to the maximum take-off weight is directed the wake turbulence category of the aircraft, on which depends the einzuhaltendende safety distance for subsequent aircraft.

  • MTOW less than 7 t: L - Light
  • MTOW 7 t to 136 t: M - medium
  • MTOW of 136 t: H - Heavy

Maximum Takeoff Weight

In addition to the structural constraints can depending on the situation other factors influence weight shows still a safe start is possible. One then speaks of the maximum permissible take-off weight ( MATOW, Eng. Maximum allowed take-off weight ). Factors that ensure a reduction in the MATOW are for example:

  • The launch will take place from an airfield, which lies at a high altitude above sea level ( eg Quito )
  • It experiences high air temperatures
  • It is only a very short runway available
  • There are obstacles to air navigation in the departure

By using auxiliary starter missiles or aircraft catapults MATOW can ( but not the MTOW) increased.

Type certificate Air traffic obstacle JATO Hot and High Digital Object Identifier
395252
de