What is defined as maximum gross weight?

Maximum gross weight is defined as the maximum allowable weight of an airplane. This term encompasses the total weight that the aircraft can safely carry during flight, which includes the weight of the aircraft itself, passengers, cargo, and usable fuel. Knowing the maximum gross weight is essential for safe flight planning, as exceeding this weight can compromise the aircraft's performance and handling characteristics, making it more difficult to take off, climb, or maneuver safely.

Option A refers only to the empty weight of the aircraft without any cargo, which does not take into account the total weight for operations. Option C concerns the weight increase as additional items are loaded for takeoff, which is not a standard definition for maximum gross weight. Option D describes the weight of the aircraft at a specific point in time (ready for departure), but it does not encompass the full definition of maximum gross weight, which is a regulatory limit set for safety.